Hannah’s Prophetic Prayer

Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer told a story on the subject of prayer. It seems that a certain minister was in the habit of giving profound prayers, oftentimes resorting to words beyond the comprehension of his simple flock. This went on week after week, to the dismay and frustration of … More

Prayer

This is one of the great prayers of Scripture. Hannah praises God through a poetic prayer for a son and all that God has done (vv. 1-10). We can learn from this passage that God sometimes withholds His blessings from those who walk uprightly, but only for a time. We cannot explain why but it appears that it was God’s will for Hannah to be barren. Twice we are told that “Yahweh had closed her womb. As time passed she may have questioned why her prayers were not answered. In Hannah’s world, just as it is in ours, it is easy for us to forget that God is in control.  She saw God:

1. As her strength (v. 1). “Mine horn” speaks of strength to hold on to.

2. As solid as a rock (v. 2). The “chief corner stone” referring to Christ - (I Peter 2:6).

3. As the one who knows what we do (v. 3). Our prayers must be in accordance with His will.

4. As Sovereign over everything (vv. 4-9). Only by God’s power can anything be accomplished.

5. As the one who administers perfect justice (v. 10). The “anointed” one.

This is one of the great verses of Scripture and the first one to refer to the name Messiah. The word “anointed” is the Hebrew word Messiah. It is translated as Christ in English. It is the title of our precious Lord Jesus.

Samuel found himself in a very difficult situation as he ministered and helped Eli in the temple (v.11). It might sound as though Samuel was being left in a place of protection and shelter. The tabernacle should have been a place like that, but unfortunately it was not as we will see in the following verses. Some of young Samuel’s responsibilities would have included opening the tabernacle doors each morning, cleaning the furniture, and sweeping the floor. As Samuel grew he became Eli’s helper or assistant. He also would have assisted Eli in offering sacrifices. Because Samuel was Eli’s helper he was also God’s helper. When we serve others, even in carrying out ordinary tasks, we are serving the Lord. Because we are serving the Lord, every job we do is important.

Application

Like Hannah, I should be confident in God’s ultimate control over the events in my life, and I  should be thankful for the ways God has blessed me. In our fast paced world, friends come and go, and circumstances change, it is hard to find a solid foundation that will not change. The possessions that we work so hard to obtain will all pass away, but God never fails.

I Samuel 2:1-11 (English Standard Version)


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