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| Order Of Worship (Liturgy) *Song of Adoration: Hymnal #103C: 1-4 “Come, My Soul, and Bless the Lord” *Song of Preparation: Hymnal #255 “Day by Day and with Each Passing Moment” Scripture & Text: I Samuel 1-2:11 Message: Answered Prayer in the Birth of Samuel *Song of Preparation: Hymnal #276 “Jesus Paid It All” *Song of Response: Hymnal #23B: 1-2, 5 “The Lord’s My Shepherd” *Doxology: Hymnal #570 “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” |
Scripture Reading and Text: I Samuel 1-2:11
Beloved Congregation of the Lord Jesus Christ,
In 1944 the US/Allied forces were island hopping their way in the South Pacific heading toward Japan. Some islands fell easier than others. The island of Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands fell easily. The reason why, is because the Japanese expected the US to approach with their landing craft on the other side of the island. On an aerial mission to scout out the island, it was clear where the Japanese had fortified their positions. The recon intelligence made it clear that to approach from the side of the island that had a lagoon which the landing craft could go over, they would be able to more easily take over the air strip and secure the island.
We are going to do some recon this morning over I Samuel. Our text today will introduce us to a man who would become a prophet and a priest named Samuel. He would anoint Saul to be the first king over Israel. Once Saul lost favor with the Lord, Samuel anointed David to be the second king over Israel. In this process there would be some highs and lows for God’s people. However, along the way, we will see the hand of the Lord guide and direct his people. God is preparing the way through Samuel for the coming king. In time, God would reveal the great King of kings and Lord of lords, the greatest Son of David, the Lord Jesus Christ. We see that pictured already in our text this morning. Our theme is Our Lord is laying the foundation for kingship in the birth of Samuel.
1. A Family Problem (v. 1-8)
2. A Fervent Prayer (v. 9-18)
3. A Living Offering (v. 19-28)
4. A Consecrating Prayer (2.1-11)
I. A Family Problem (v. 1-8)
In these opening verses of our text, we are introduced to the family of Elkanah. He was from Ramathaim-zophim, which is likely in the region of Bethlehem, a couple hours walk from Jerusalem. He was a levite, and the head of a wealthy household. Elkanah had two wives, which is one sign of his wealth. It was uncommon for Jews to have multiple wives, with the exception of later kings. To have two wives, Elkanah must have been a man of financial means and power. His wives were Hannah and Peninnah.
Multiple wives certainly goes against God original intent for the family in Genesis 2 and each time we see polygamy among God’s people it doesn’t go well. The problem is first alluded to in verse 2. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. This ended up being the rub in the family. Hannah was favored by Elkanah, but she had no children. Many believe she was likely the first wife and since she had no children, Elkanah took a second wife to bear him offspring. The text is not explicit on this, but it is possible.
We see that Elkanah was faithful in bringing his family to Shiloh to worship each year. Elkanah did not go there as a priest, but as a faithful believer. Part of this process involved a sacrifice given to the priest to consecrate and slaughter. The priest would keep a portion and then the worshipper was given a portion. Elkanah would divy out the meat to each wife and their children. The meaning of a double portion in verse 5 is a bit unclear. What is certainly made clear, is that Hannah would be reminded, in the presence of Peninnah, that she was barren. Not only that, but Peninnah would use that as an occasion to irritate, provoke, and sadden Hannah. Possibly like Joseph’s brothers jealousy because of their father’s love to Rachel’s son, so Peninnah might have been jealous of Elkanah’s affection for Hannah. On top of that, the height of a Jewish woman’s dignity in the home was to bear a son.
Try to get yourself mentally into the mindset of a this home. It was a troubled place with jealousy, hurt, and in Hannah’s case, tears and lament, even to the point she would not eat. Notice also, that in verse 6 and verse 7 it says that the Lord had closed her womb. Hannah was in grief. Her husband was no help. His attempt to console her in verse 8 was worthless. Even well-meaning men can say some pretty stupid things sometimes. This family was troubled.
II. A Fervent Prayer
On this particular trip, after the eating of the meal, Hannah went to the temple where Eli was sitting by the doorpost. We are not entirely sure what this building was. It could have been a tent of meeting or it could have been a more permanent building, structured in a similar way that the tabernacle would have been laid out. We know this is before the time of Solomon’s temple, likely around 1,050 B.C. Though it was Eli’s sons who were the acting priests, possibly because of Eli’s advanced age, nevertheless, he is acting as something of a judge at the entrance to the temple, a place of honor, similar to the elders sitting at the gates of the city.
Look at Hannah in verse 10. Her prayer and vow before the Lord are a process of pouring out her heart, casting her burden on God. It has been argued, and I believe rightly so, that Hannah is portrayed as the most pious woman in the Old Testament. I think this is probably the case because of a few reasons. First, she is the only woman who is said to have gone to the house of the Lord (v. 7). Second, she is the only woman in the Old Testament to make and fulfill a vow before the Lord. Third, she is the only woman who is said to pray. He prayer is the longest one recorded in the Old Testament. Her prayer mentions Yahweh 18 times. Unlike Sarah, Abraham’s wife, who was also infertile, Hannah did not try to take matters into her own hands with the introduction of a concubine. Also, unlike Jephthah, who made a rash vow and ended up offering his daughter to the Lord as a burnt sacrifice, Hannah will offer her son to the Lord as a living sacrifice.
Hannah was godly and we see her multiple times show humility before God and Eli. Hannah, in her grief, sorrow, and tears, calls upon the same God who has closed her womb. She knows there is no where else to look…she trusts the Lord and offers a fervent prayer.
As she prays silently while still moving her lips, Eli thinks that maybe she is drunk. Part of his job seems to be to protect the house of the Lord. It is also clear that drunkenness must have been something of a problem, regardless of gender. Once she explains her situation in verses 15-16, Eli instead blesses her. Her spirit was lifted up and verse 18 says that her face was no longer sad.
God had not yet answered her prayer, but her soul was restored, her spirit was refreshed. She had made her vow to the Lord. If God gives her a son, she will devote him to the Lord. It seems in verse 11 that she was committing him to a life as a Nazarene, like Samson.
It shouldn’t surprise us that a godly woman like Hannah, whose name means Graciousness, would call upon the Yahweh Sabaoth, that is the Hebrew LORD of hosts. Baal can’t help her, Asherah is a joke…she calls upon the Lord. When our Lord Jesus Christ was in the wilderness in Matthew 4, the Devil tempted the Lord will food, with honor, with a kingdom, but there was a different way. Obedience to his heavenly father was the way. God had a greater way and it was the way of suffering which would bring on glory. This is the same pattern God worked in Hannah’s life.
The family problem in Elkanah’s house was nothing compared to the problem of the sin of humanity. Eternal death in hell is not comparison to barrenness. As sons and daughters of Adam, we were helpless. As the plan of Redemption unfolded, Jesus also struggled in prayer with the Lord in Garden of Gethsemane. As Hannah vowed to God, so our Lord resolved “not my will, but your will be done.” What Hannah would offer to the Lord would be a living sacrifice, one who would help in the temple to aid the worship of God’s people. What Jesus would offer was himself, a living sacrifice, who would first have to die. Jesus didn’t merely help in worship, he was the object of worship. And as hannah will respond to the Lord in a minute, so our Savior prayed in John 17, “the hour has come to glorify your Son, (your servant)” Suffering, shame, and tears, become glory, honor, victory, and joy. Believe on the Lord and you will know this story in your own life. God is not indifferent to the prayers of his people. Rather, he remembers them, as we see thirdly.
III. A Living Offering
In verse 19, the family worships God and returns home and soon Hannah is expecting the son she had prayed for. Elkanah knew his wife and she became pregnant. Remember God usually uses ordinary means to carry out his purposes, but this doesn’t mean there is anything less significant about it. Hannah had a son and called his name Samuel, which means “asked of the Lord.” But notice one very important word used here in our text in verse 19 “remembered.”
The word remember was used back in verse 11 in Hannah’s initial prayer to the Lord. Now in verse 19, the Lord remembered Hannah. This is a word the Bible uses to describe great saving works God is about to do. Look back at Genesis 8:1; Read Exodus 2:24 God remembered his covenant when the people were in Egypt. (Also Gen. 19:29; 30:22) God is going to use someone insignificant, Hannah and then her son to continue the course of remembering God’s people. Matthew 1 could easily begin with the words, “and God remembered the promises he made to his people.” Therefore, he sent Jesus the Christ.
We do not have to be ashamed to bring our burdens and distresses to the Lord in prayer. We can pray, Lord, remember us. Remember us according to your word, according to your promises. We echo God’s remembering this morning as we approach the Lord’s Supper. We remember God’s faithfulness and mercy in sending Jesus Christ. Even as our Lord said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
“O what needless pain we bear, when we fail to carry, everything to God in prayer.” Dear brother or sister in Christ, God hears your prayers. You might not always realize that, but God hears you. Sometimes he answers our prayer in the way we desire. This happens in our text with Hannah.
God remembers Hannah and she gives birth to Samuel. Hannah speaks with Elkanah and they agree to wait until Samuel is weaned to take him to Eli. Weaning a child in Israel was usually around the age of 3. Once this took place, they took a large offering to Eli. Read vs. 25-28. Young Samuel would not help Eli in service in the temple. He would be raised in this ecclesiastical setting, learning the ways of the Lord and his word.
IV. A Consecrating Prayer
Hannah words this in this prayerful song. Parts of it echo the Magnificat of the virgin Mary. They call themselves the Lord’s servants. What Hannah’s song will really focus upon is the low being brought up and the lofty being brought down.
The opening verses of the song focus on God’s holiness in verse 2, his exclusive existence as God in verse 2,and his omniscience and sovereign providence in verse 3. Hannah is quite the theologian. From verses 4-8 Hannah recounts God’s attributes as they play in the lives of humanity. Things which might seem arbitrary or caused by chance are shown instead to be the work of the Lord of hosts.
Some commentators have questioned verse 10, since there was no king in the land. Some have argued that Hannah could not have prayed this. They argue that an editor must have added it later after the monarchy began. But, that isn’t necessary. Hannah equates the king with the anointed of God. The whole narrative is an expectation leading up to kingship and since verse 10 is speaking about the future, she might even be praying greater and clearer than she even realizes.
Our text ends with young Samuel, notice, ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli, who is here called the priest.
So, the stage is set. The prophet Samuel will point us to Christ, who will anoint Saul and David, who is will point us to Christ, and even Hannah’s barrenness and then exaltation this morning point us to Christ. In this text, we can learn about God: His care for his people, his hearing and answering of Hannah’s prayer, his acceptance of Hannah’s vow, his use of weak human instruments to carry out his plan, even the centrality of his worship. We can learn much from Hannah as well.
But, when we take the bird’s eye view, the reconassaince of the beginning of Samuel, God is going to deliver his people, not only from the Philistines in time, but he will provide the greater deliverer, the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him, we have everything. Dear friend, come to the table, and taste and see that the Lord is good. Amen.
* As a matter of courtesy please advise Rev. Steven Swets, if you plan to use this sermon in a worship service. Thank-you.
(c) Copyright 2024, Rev. Steven Swets
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