Don’t worry if you don’t hear God First time, He’s persistent.
Hannah (Favour, Grace) like Mary, was chosen for a special assignment which had a price tag attached (many servants of the Lord pay a price to fulfil their call). Mary was to give birth to the Messiah, the Saviour, for all people. Hannah didn’t have an angelic visitation; she had a great void in her life, no children, and a nagging rival. This rivalry became most intense every year when they went up to worship the Lord at Shiloh. Her rival, Peninnah, tormented Hannah until she wouldn’t eat the double portion with which her husband, Elkanah had blessed her. Hannah was robbed of her blessing and left in tears.
In desperation Hannah fled alone to the Tabernacle and cried out to God. The destiny of many sons and daughters may be decided when ALONE WITH GOD. Hannah came before the Lord in desperation for a son and found herself offering the child back to God, if only He would remember her and bless her.
In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon 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 and no razor will ever be used on his head”. 1 Samuel 1:10, 11
Samuel was a man set apart to the Lord from before birth, with no razor ever to be used on his head.
The Priest Eli, observed Hannah’s mouth moving in heartfelt prayer and wrongly assumed she’d been drinking. Don’t be surprised if you’re misunderstood when you try to go deeper with the Lord, people may judge you from an earthly stance.
“Not so, my Lord”, Hannah replied. “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 you not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief”. 1 Samuel 1:15, 16
Hannah respected the Priest (the office he stood in) and patiently explained she was crying out to the Lord in her distress. Hannah had to surrender twice in her dilemma, first, deeply to the Lord, holding nothing back for herself. Now also to Eli, a mistaken man, but still the Lord’s representative at the Tabernacle. Her double surrender brought her blessing;
Eli answered, “Go in peace and may the God of Israel grant you what do you have asked of Him”. She said, “May YOUR SERVANT find favour in your eyes”. Then she went her way and ate something and her face was no longer downcast. 1 Samuel 1:17, 18
Hannah humbled herself before God and man and won the approval of both; Eli blessed her.
It’s interesting that in 1 Samuel 2:26 (and also with the Lord Himself Luke 2:52) that God’s Word records;
“And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favour with the Lord and with men”.
As we said earlier, Hannah means Favour, Grace. There was a graciousness on Hannah’s life to speak humbly and step into the blessing the Lord had for her. God later gave Hannah a further 3 sons and 2 daughters. In Israel’s earliest battles God demanded the first spoils be His, Joshua 6, 7, but Israel had to learn to give God His way. Yielding our will to His gives the best results.
God bless and keep you this day.