Underrated Saints — Week 2

Week 2 | Hannah

OUR HERO is a SNAPSHOT:

• Spouse
• Delt with Comparison
• Infertile
• Bullied
• Stressed
• Pressured
• Lonely
• Beloved
• Pray-er

EVERYDAY HERO’S . . .

1. EVERYDAY STUFF. . .   
   
   
    
2. KNOW WHERE TO THEIR TROUBLES. . .

 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life…” (I Sam. 1: v 9-11)

As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.  Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” (v 12-14)

Not so, my lord, … I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.  Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” (v15-16)    

Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him”. She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. (v 17-18)          

Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her.  So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” (v19-23)

…After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, … and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. . .  they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, “…I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord.  I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

2:21And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

ONE LAST THOUGHT: