Hannah sought the Favour of God and of His Priest, Eli. 1 Samuel 1
The account of Samuel begins with a woman in distress. Hannah had no children, because the Lord had closed her womb 1 Samuel 1:5 and her rival provoked her mercilessly.
3 YEAR AFTER YEAR this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, 1 Samuel 1
This family were faithful worshippers of the Lord and every time they went to Shiloh to worship, Hannah was ‘provoked till she wept and would not eat’. The annual visit to the Lord’s Tabernacle became the place where Hannah turned to God in desperation to resolve the sorrow in her life.
9 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. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 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, and no razor will ever be used on his head.’
Hannah vowed that if God would give her a son, she would give him to the Lord for his whole life. This was always God’s intention, to have a faithful man to lead His people.
35 I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before my anointed one always. 1 Samuel 2:35
Ironically, because of the fervency of her prayer, Eli thought she’d been drinking and scolded her.
15 ‘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. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.’
Eli corrected his wrong opinion and BLESSED HANNAH, one of two blessings he gave. (1 Samuel 2:21) Blessings are always worth receiving, especially from those in authority.
17 Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.’
18 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. (Something had changed for Hannah, the sorrow had lifted.)
God arranged a transition here, Eli’s family were about to reap a harvest for their wicked deeds and Samuel, the next Priest was soon to step unto the scene in Shiloh.
Hannah suffered for a time under God’s hand, but eventually she was blessed with a family of her own and her name is recorded for all time in God’s Word. We may experience difficulties in this life, but God can and does redeem the days to His faithful ones, Hallelujah.
24 “‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6