“O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.” 1 Samuel 1:11
Hannah was Elkanah’s wife...actually, the first of his two wives. Peninnah had children; Hannah did not. Penninah taunted Hannah cruelly, rubbing it in and never letting her forget that God had not given her children. Hannah was often reduced to tears and had no appetite.
By all accounts, Elkanah and his family were devout followers of Yahweh. Every year this man went from his hometown up to Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifice to God.
One year while the family was in Shilo to worship, Hannah slipped away quietly, and entered the sanctuary. Crushed in her soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably. Then she made a vow:
Oh, God, If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain,
If you’ll quit neglecting me and bless me by giving me a son,
I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you.
I’ll set him apart for a life of holy service.
Hannah was praying in her heart, silently, and Eli was watching her closely. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk. He approached her and said, “You’re drunk! How long do you plan to keep this up? Sober up!” Hannah said, “Oh no, sir—please! I haven’t been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I’ve been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to God. Don’t for a minute think I’m a bad woman. It’s because I’m so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I’ve stayed here so long.”
Eli answered her, “Go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him.”
Before the year was out, Hannah had conceived and given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining, “I asked God for him.” She told her husband, “After the child is weaned, I’ll bring him myself and present him before God—and that’s where he’ll stay, for good.”
So she did...
She took him up to Shiloh, bringing also the makings of a generous sacrificial meal—a prize bull, flour, and wine. They first butchered the bull, then brought the child to Eli. Hannah said, “Excuse me, sir. I’m the woman who was standing before you at this very spot, praying to God. I prayed for this child, and God gave me what I asked for. And now I have dedicated him to God. He’s dedicated to God for life.”
Samuel never returned to live with his family...
Every one of us has a hole in their heart...something is missing. As believers, we are taught to bring our needs before God and trust Him to answer according to His will. Some of us go beyond that. We bargain with God in an attempt to persuade Him.
Sometimes God is persuaded...
That’s when we should remember the bargain. Hannah did...and she faithfully upheld her promise...at great personal cost. I’ve often thought Hannah was too rash in her bargain with God. How can a person want something so bad that they promise...if they get it...they will give it right back? Doesn’t that undermine the entire venture? Or, maybe, Hannah is one of the few who actually got it right. After all, her son, Samuel, became one of the giants of Old Testament scripture.
Most often when we ask God, we ask for something we intend to use it for our own personal gratification and comfort. We ask for spouses, we ask for children, we ask for more convenient relationships, we ask for better jobs and creature comforts...all in order to consume them in pursuit of a satisfied life.
God loves us and wants us to live a satisfied life. Yet, He longs for us to recognize our satisfaction is always found in Him. If God fixes our spouse or child, are we willing to give him/her right back to God and say “now, Lord, use him/her for your glory!”
If we really love them...and God...it’s the only appropriate prayer. If we really love ourselves it seems counterintuitive.
Hannah gave her son back...surely the most painful thing a mother could do...and said
“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my life is lifted high.” Enigmatically, it seems the greatest joy comes from giving, not receiving. Probably because in giving...we are most like God.
Live boldly out there today...
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