Anesti Ministries

Worshipping God in grief.

The events in the beginning of 1 Samuel 1 take place in Israel during the time of the judges. Before the temple was constructed, the Israelites went to Shiloh to worship God. Joshua had set up a tent of meeting at Shiloh and placed the ark inside (Joshua 18:1).

Elkanah was a Levite who was residing in the region of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 6:16-30). He had come to the temple to offer a peace offering to the Lord (Leviticus 7:11-36). Although Elkanah was faithful to God, his wife Hannah was barren. Despite this, Elkanah still loved Hannah deeply. Elkanah’s love for Hannah is an example of the kind of love spouses should have for one another. Although Hannah was favored by her husband, she constantly carried a heavy burden inside. The bitter contempt that Hannah received from Peninnah reminds us of the similar treatment Sarah experienced in Genesis 16:4. While others were filled with joy when they come into God’s presence each year, Hannah’s heart was filled with grief. But phrase “the Lord had closed her womb” in verse 5 tells us that God had a plan to use Hannah’s barreness for His purpose.

Many people can identify with what Hannah went through. You smile at everyone in church but deep inside you are carrying silent burdens. And hearing your Pastor preach about God’s favor makes you feel even more distant from Him. You struggle to understand why God is silent even though you have been faithful to Him. But this passage teaches us that God has a purpose for our testing. Keep worshipping even when circumstances look totally hopeless because God will use it to accomplish His marvelous plan.

Read 1 Samuel 1:1-8.

What can you learn about the kind of man Elkanah was from verse 3-5?

How did Hannah feel when she came to worship God each year?

Turn disappointment into prayer.

Instead of running away from God, Hannah ran to God with her heavy heart. She was so deep in prayer that she did not care about how others would perceive her. How many times have we been afraid to get real with God because we are afraid of what other people think? God’s presence is a safe space for everyone to pour out their deepest emotions. You do not have to feel embarrassed in God’s presence. When you open your heart to God, He will comfort you.

Hannah’s prayer teaches us that posture matters more than power. You may feel afraid to pray because you don’t feel good at praying. But you don’t have to be good at praying before you start. God desires honest and real prayers. You don’t have to shout or prepare well crafted prayers. God hears every word that is spoken from your heart. Hannah acknowledged God’s sovereignty by referring to herself as a servant.

In faith, Hannah asked God for a son. And dedicates him to the Lord as an expression of her gratitude. The phrase “no razor shall touch his head” in verse 11 indicates that Hannah will consecrate the child as a Nazirite for life. A Nazirite was an individual who was set apart for the Lord (Numbers 6).

Eli’s response towards Hannah teaches us not to judge the way others behave even though we may feel uncomfortable. Eli’s assurance of God’s favor strengthens Hannah’s faith. And shorty after his blessing, Hannah miraculously conceives Samuel.

Very often people lose hope when God does not answer prayers immediately. You may have given up on God because you have been disappointed in the past. But Hannah’s experience teaches us that God hears every prayer. God never forgets any prayer no matter how long ago it was prayed. There are times when God will answer prayers instantly. There are times when God will not answer prayers because He has something better in store for you. But there are times when God may take days, months or even years to answer your prayer. Don’t give up on God. Keep trusting that God will bring it to pass in His perfect timing.

Read 1 Samuel 1:9-20

What does Hannah’s prayer reveal about her heart?

What does this passage teach you about prayer?

Worship requires surrender.

One year passes and Elkanah brings his family to sacrifice to the Lord as his custom every year. But this year it is different because Hannah does not come along. Her prayer has been answered and she remembers her vow to the Lord. Elkanah supports his wife’s decision and expresses confidence in God’s power to bring His promise to pass.

After Samuel was weaned, Hannah stood before the Lord to testify of His faithfulness. Verse 24 tells us that Hannah brought costly sacrifices to offer unto the Lord. But her biggest sacrifice was dedicating her son to the service of the Lord. God had granted Hannah the deepest desire of her heart. And In the ultimate act of worship, Hannah offered to God the child that was most precious to her.

The chapter ends with Samuel worshipping the Lord. The theme of worship is evident throughout this chapter. It teaches us to worship God in difficult situations. Praise shift the focus away from ourselves and onto God. True worship also requires sacrifice. If you want to be used by God for His purpose, you have to be fully surrendered to Him. Surrendering means giving God complete control over your life. Surrendering means allowing God to direct you into the destiny He has prepared for you. You can be assured that God has your best interest at heart. God created you for a purpose and knows what is best for you. You will find the greatest fulfillment when you walk in God’s plan for your life.

Hannah is also a great example of Godly parenting. As parents, we must learn to let go and entrust our children to the Lord. The primary objective of parenting is to help our children form an intimate relationship with the Lord. The years when children begin to exercise their individual right will be the most challenging. Forcing children at this stage will only drive them further away. Instead we must learn to gently guide them. We can do so by not only praying for them, but also allowing them to seek out a personal faith with God. Trusting that even when they decide to attend another church with their peers, God will meet them there. We must always remember that our children first belong to the Lord and then to us.

Read 1 Samuel 1:21-28.

How do you think Hannah felt when she appeared before the Lord?

What does this passage teach you about worship?