DEDICATED TO THE LORD

1 Samuel 1:1

1 Samuel 1:1 CSB

There was a man from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. His name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.

1 Samuel 1:2 CSB

He had two wives, the first named Hannah and the second Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless.

1 Samuel 1:3 CSB

This man would go up from his town every year to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of Armies at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were the Lord’s priests.

1 Samuel 1:4 CSB

Whenever Elkanah offered a sacrifice, he always gave portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to each of her sons and daughters.

1 Samuel 1:5 CSB

But he gave a double portion to Hannah, for he loved her even though the Lord had kept her from conceiving.

1 Samuel 1:6 CSB

Her rival would taunt her severely just to provoke her, because the Lord had kept Hannah from conceiving.

1 Samuel 1:7 CSB

Year after year, when she went up to the Lord’s house, her rival taunted her in this way. Hannah would weep and would not eat.

1 Samuel 1:8 CSB

“Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband, Elkanah, would ask. “Why won’t you eat? Why are you troubled? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”

1 Samuel 1:9 CSB

On one occasion, Hannah got up after they ate and drank at Shiloh. The priest Eli was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple.

1 Samuel 1:10 CSB

Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears.

1 Samuel 1:11 CSB

Making a vow, she pleaded, “Lord of Armies, if you will take notice of your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut.”

1 Samuel 1:12 CSB

While she continued praying in the Lord’s presence, Eli watched her mouth.

1 Samuel 1:13 CSB

Hannah was praying silently, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk

1 Samuel 1:14 CSB

and said to her, “How long are you going to be drunk? Get rid of your wine!”

1 Samuel 1:15 CSB

“No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman with a broken heart. I haven’t had any wine or beer; I’ve been pouring out my heart before the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:16 CSB

Don’t think of me as a wicked woman; I’ve been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment.”

1 Samuel 1:17 CSB

Eli responded, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the request you’ve made of him.”

1 Samuel 1:18 CSB

“May your servant find favor with you,” she replied. Then Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer looked despondent.

1 Samuel 1:19 CSB

The next morning Elkanah and Hannah got up early to worship before the Lord. Afterward, they returned home to Ramah. Then Elkanah was intimate with his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her.

1 Samuel 1:20 CSB

After some time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, because she said, “I requested him from the Lord.”

Hanna and Elkanah Were Dedicated to God

Elkanah - God has created, God has taken possession

Hannah - Show favor, be gracious

Their dedication was not dependent upon their circumstances.

May times we allow our circumstances to hinder our faith.

Things are not always what they appear.

Hanna and Elkanah Were Dedicated to Each Other.

Elkanah loved her despite what public opinion might have said.

Just Because You are Dedicated to God Doesn’t Mean There Won’t Be Difficulties

Hannah’s Problem - God had closed her womb.

Peninnah - taunts

Eli Thinks the worst.

Difficulties cause us to either: Give Up or they Increase our Faith!

Samuels Life of Service Was Set In Motion By His Parents.

Samuel - Heard of God some theologians thing it may have been Saul - requested of God

Everything we do as parents has bearing upon our children.

What may seem small in the beginning has a huge impact overall.

When we are dedicated to God it has a huge impact on our children.

What can I do?

Pray for your Children

Be a Biblical example to your children

Disciple your children

Grow in your walk with the Lord so that you can lead your children effectively.

Never underestimate the power of influence and prayer.