The books of Samuel focus on the start of Israel’s monarchy in the 11th century B.C. First Samuel introduces Israel’s last two judges: Eli, who failed, and Samuel, who succeeded.
It also presents the first two kings: Saul, a failure, and David, a success.
Samuel’s birth was similar to Samson’s, but their lives ended very differently. Samson used his power for his own gain. Samuel, however, used his gifts to serve God.
Hannah, the Praying Mother
When I started in the ministry, most people listened to AM radio. There was a clear channel station from Knoxville, Tennessee, that aired sermons by Aretha Franklin’s father on late Sunday nights.
One of the best sermons I ever heard from Reverend C. L. Franklin was “Hannah, the Praying Mother.” It was his Mother’s Day sermon, and became mine too for several years.
Hannah’s prayer came from a deep feeling of loss. She couldn’t have children, which was a huge disgrace in her time.
Her husband, Elkanah, had two wives. The other wife, Peninnah, had children and often mocked Hannah for not being able to conceive. Deeply saddened, Hannah left the dinner table at Shiloh, went to the temple, and poured out her heart to the Lord.
After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord.
She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly.
She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a Nazirite until the day of his death.
He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head” (1 Samuel 1:9-11).
Hannah promised the Lord that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate him to serve God with a Nazirite vow. This vow meant not cutting his hair, avoiding dead bodies, and staying away from anything related to grapes, including wine.
She asked God to remember her. It’s not that God forgets, but “to remember” means to pay attention and care for our needs.
Filled with a Burden, Not Filled with Wine
When people attended festivals at Shiloh, they ate and drank. Eli thought Hannah might have had too much wine. But in reality, she was burdened with the desire to have a child.
As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.
Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk.
So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.”
But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord.
Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time” (1 Samuel 12-16).
There is a fact about God, as old as the oldest story in the Bible and as current as today’s events. God knows who we are. He knows our hopes, dreams, and sorrows. He knows everything about us.
He responds to our prayers because he is our loving Heavenly Father.
God had a plan that he was working out through Hannah and later her son Samuel. This does not change the fact that all ordinary people have the same access to God. He loves us just as much as the characters we read about in the Bible.
Go in Peace
Eli was the last of the inferior judges mentioned in the Bible.
Later, Samuel will take his place as a good judge. Samuel was a prophet, a priest, and someone God used to appoint a king.
Despite Eli’s shortcomings, he could still hear from God. After listening to Hannah, he told her she would have a child.
Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him” (1 Samuel 1:17).
A Mother’s Prayer
I believe that God answers prayers, especially those of a mother. I’ve heard countless stories from people about their mothers praying for them.
They might have been in a drug house, incarcerated, or in some bad situation. Yet, they felt God came to them and brought them back to Him because of their mother’s prayers.
We should be encouraged. No matter the circumstances, God will hear our prayers and respond. It might not be on our timeline, but He will certainly answer.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this story on YouTube today.
Real Voices 