We are still in the time of Judges and now in the first chapter of 1 Samuel meet the family of Elkanah. Verse 2 tells us that Elkanah had two wives...Hannah whose name means gracious and lived up to her name and Penninah whose most noteworthy talent was in making the suffering of another worse by unkindness. The next verse informs us that Elkanah went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord in Shiloh.
This then was a godly household and it was a hard time for godly people. Even the priests were corrupt...serving themselves rather than God. (1 Samuel 2:12-17)
And it shall be: As with the people, so with the priest;—Isaiah 24:2
Enter Hannah with a heart burdened not only with much sorrow from her own personal grief, but for the state of the priesthood as well.
Hannah "wept and did not eat." Her husband sought to comfort her, and said:
"Why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?"
But Hannah knew she needed more than human comfort...the instinct of her soul drove her to her God.
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your [tabernacle.
Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And on the harp I will praise You,
O God, my God.
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.—Psalm 43
There, before the tabernacle, Hannah "poured out her soul to the Lord." She "was in bitterness of soul, and she prayed and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, "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 male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head."
Hannah’s heart and prayer were not for a son that would be successful in the eyes of the world but for one whose life would be dedicated to the Lord. She wanted a son that would be God’s special witness and shine as a light in the midst of the darkness...one who would be a blessing to the priesthood. Hannah wanted a son that would be wholly given over to God sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. She wanted a son to give back to the Lord. And the Lord heard her prayer. ❤️
Oh Father align our heart’s desires with Your perfect and righteous ones. Give us hearts like Hannah’s that are driven to You in prayer. Hearts that desire your light and truth. We want Your will in our lives. We want Your will in our children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Oh do that work in each of us today. You are our hope, our exceeding joy and our exceedingly great reward.
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