God Who Remembers

Family Troubles

Hannah was one of Elkanah’s two wives.

Hannah was the first, then Peninnah

Why did Elkanah have two wives?

They were expected to be “fruitful and multiply”

Hannah was barren, while Peninnah had several.

Yet, Hannah was Elkanah’s favorite.

He made sure she got extra food at the feasts.

To abate our just love to any relation, for the sake of any infirmity which they cannot help, is to add affliction to the afflicted. - J.W.

Peninnah was jealous of her and provoked her about not having children of her own, on many occasions.

Elkanah was no help.

Choosing instead to make it about himself.

“Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

It wasn’t about whether their love was enough but about her desire to have children.

(A healthy and God-purposed desire)

Hannah wept bitterly in prayer

Bitterly = A lot

There is not mention of Hannah being bitter against Peninnah or God.

Hannah did not blame God for being barren, she just wanted a son of her own.

She “kept on” praying to the Lord (perseverance, praying continually)

Eli, the father of the two priests, could not understand what she was doing

He accused her of drunkenness, she spoke openly of her troubles, having “poured out her soul to the Lord.”

Some fervent prayers may look so strange to you that you cannot understand, but we should always help each other to understand the way of faith.

Have you wept so bitterly about something that you felt like you were pouring out your soul to God?

For some, like Ruth, may be looking for a provider, protector, or loving and faithful spouse.

Some, like Hannah, may be longing for children of their own.

Others may be mourning the loss of a loved one.

Some all three.

We all have reason to weep bitterly at the condition of lost souls.

Approaching God and pouring out our souls opens the doorway of faith to allow for God’s grace with peace and favor.

Hannah did not become more bitter over Eli’s accusation.

She must have realized that he did not understand.

The corruption of his sons, Hophni and Phineas, and Eli’s blindness of their exploitation with the offerings and sacrifices, shows that Eli was no great virtuous man.

God opened Eli’s understanding through Hannah’s display of vulnerability.

She was the first woman who was said to enter the Lord’s house.

She was the first in Scripture to call God, “Lord Almighty”

Hannah writes a fantastic prayer of God’s authority and strength.

This was a reference of God’s authority, limitless knowledge, and power.

It includes a thanksgiving of God giving children to formerly barren women.

But, she cautions that it is not by strength that anyone prevails, but by those who humble themselves before the Lord.

Hannah eventually had a son, called him Samuel, because she asked God for him.

Samuel was the Hebrew prophet in 1100s BC who oversaw the rise of Saul, their first king, and later, David, known as their greatest king.

The establishment of a king was against the counsel of Samuel and God, though God did not stop them.

Who is the king given strength that Hannah refers to? Saul, David, Solomon? Who is the anointed horn of salvation?

Horn = Strength

King = Anointed and Favored One

King, Anointed Horn = Anointed with Favor, Strong enough to Save All

All of Israel’s kings ended in failure.

Who is it?

God took miraculous steps of grace establishing a family line, so that the way of Jesus Christ might be opened for us.

If Ruth did not find Boaz and have a son…

If Hannah did not have a son…

Hannah found favor with a son; Jesus found favor with his resurrection.

Jesus wept for his friends, and for all, before his crucifixion.

God’s grace and favor extended to us through Jesus being willing to die on the cross.

God remembers those who have faith in him, gives them peace, and extends divine favor.

To remember someone is to act like they matter to you.

To have faith in God is to trust that God will extend his grace to us.

To have faith in God is to trust that we find peace in God, amid our deep troubles.

To have faith in God is to trust that only through God will all turn out for all of our good.

So, if you feel troubled, don’t be afraid to weep bitterly and pour out your deepest desires to God.

Don’t let others discourage you in their lack of understanding.

Be appropriately vulnerable so that they might understand why you pray in this way.

They might be encouraged to approach God, pouring out their souls and receive the peace and favor of God in their lives.

And remember to always thank God for your many blessings.

He is not just the Lord Almighty, but the one who weeps with you and for you, that you might find peace and joy.