1 Samuel 1:1-28 [The Birth of Samuel]

The Birth of Samuel

Scripture: 1st Samuel 1:1-28

Main Takeaway: God used Hannah to give birth to the herald who would prepare the way of the Lord’s anointed

Summary:

This message speaks to those feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges, particularly in their longing for something desperately desired. It encourages people to bring their deepest pains and yearnings to God, showing that genuine prayer can lead to profound breakthroughs. It reassures believers that God sees their struggles and may be preparing them for greater purposes through their trials and supplications.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life’s challenges, particularly in a longing for something you so desperately desired? And due to these challenges you question your reason, your purpose, and calling. What have I been created to do if what I have naturally been created to do I can’t even do? Such is the account of Hannah.

1 Samuel chapter one highlights Hannah's deep internal struggle and prayer for a son amidst her barrenness and societal ridicule. But while that may be her struggle the chapter emphasizes her unwavering devotion as she pours out her heart to God in the temple, making a vow that reflects her desperation and faith. The story shifts from her emotional turmoil to a powerful affirmation of God's faithfulness when He grants her request, culminating in the birth of Samuel—a pivotal leader for Israel and answer to her prayers.

In the broader scoop of the biblical narrative the Lord uses Hannah’s circumstances to progress his divine will of bringing forth the promised seed who would eventually be Jesus the Christ.

Life Application:

Remain faithful even in the depths of our struggles and longings because even when it doesn’t seem like it God is using our faithfulness to progress his plan not just in our lives but the lives of our communities.

Section One: 1 Samuel 1:1-8

Contextual backdrop

The events of 1st Samuel, specifically the first 9 chapters occurs during the time of the Judges. This would mean that Samuel was born at a time when “there was no king, and every man did what was right in his own eyes.” [ Judges 21:25 ]

This particular passage gives us a glimpse at what is to come and why?

Israel has no king and because they have no king every one is doing what they think is right in their own eyes. [Keep This In Mind]

Enter stage left: the birth of Samuel

There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.

Why is the lineage here so important?

He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

What other women before Hannah endured not being able to have children?

Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel

Culturally speaking what does Hannah not being able to have children mean for her in the society she lived in at this time?

Some biblical commentators have considered that Hannah more than likely was the first wife of Elkanah; and due to her inability to have children he married Peninnah as his second wife.

Culturally speaking Hannah’s value would drop in the eyes of society. In fact she would be considered a shame and even under a curse.

Spiritually speaking how does Hannah’s condition reflect that of Israel?

Deuteronomy 7:13–14 [Speaking of the Lord] “13 He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you. 14 You shall be blessed above all peoples. There shall not be male or female barren among you or among your livestock.”

I know we don’t like to think like this: But perhaps Hannah is the representation of the spiritual condition of Israel; Barren of God because of their unfaithfulness to his word.

In fact if you drop down to verse 5 the writer credits Hannah’s inability to have children an act of the Lord “the Lord had closed her womb”.

Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD.

On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters.

But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb.

And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb.

So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.

And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

Section Two: 1 Samuel 1:9-20

Section Three: 1 Samuel 1:21-28