Hannah: Women of the Bible

Pt. 4 in series

2002015

Subject: women of the Bible

Introduction:

A. The story of Hannah is told in 1 Samuel 1-3.

1. She was the mother of Samuel – Israel’s greatest judge.

2. she was fervent in her worship & effective in her prayer life.

3. She is someone who was willing to follow through even on a costly commitment.

B. In this story we see how God hears & answers prayer

1. how our children are gifts from God.

2. and how God is concerned for the oppressed & afflicted.

C. Story takes place in Ephraim just north of Jerusalem.

I. Timeline on PowerPoint presentation

II. Hannah’s situation…1:1-9

A. Name means “Grace.”

B. Was favorite wife of Elkanah. Other wife was Peninnah.

1. Peninnah had sons/daughters – 1:4

2. 3 times/yr men required to attend religious feast at the tabernacle.

a) Passover

b) Feast of weeks

c) Feast of booths

3. While there – he gave Peninnah & her sons/daughters portions to sacrifice.

4. 1:5 – gave Hannah double portion – for he loved her….But the LORD had closed her womb.

C. Peninnah would provoke Hannah b/c of this. 1:6-7 – happened year after year…

1. married woman who could not have children was shamed in Israeli culture.

a) childless woman = a failure.

b) Source of social embarrassment for Elkanah.

2. The emotional distress upon Hannah became tremendous – to the point of her not eating. 1:7

3. So…she goes out & prays to God.

D. There’s something here for us

1. in times of sorrow/distress/persecution – we need to draw near to God as Hannah did.

2. Js. 4:7-8; 1 Peter 5:7; Psa. 103:13-14.

3. Turn to Him – He will aid us if we will only ask.

III. 1:10-18 – She petitions the Lord.

A. 1:10-11 – makes a vow that if God would give her a child – that she would dedicate him to the Lord.

1. intense prayer made here – 1:10-11 – so much that Eli thought she was drunk.

2. 1:15 – I have poured out my soul before the Lord.

a) she literally emptied the contents of her heart before the Lord.

b) See also Psa. 62:5-8.

B. Her prayer enabled her to go from a distressed spirit to one of a confident, unspoken trust in God.

1. demonstrated by the fact that her countenance before God was lifted.

C. Note how her change in attitude came:

1. 1:11 – she honestly prayed to God.

2. 1:17 – she received encouragement from Eli

3. 1:18 – she resolved to leave the problem w/God.

D. We need to apply this formula today!

E. There is power in prayer! Mt. 7:7-8; Phil. 4:6-7; Js. 5:16

IV. 1:19-28 – she fulfills her vow.

A. 1:19-20 she conceives & gives birth to Samuel.

1. name means: “heard of God.”

2. interesting: 1:21 – Elkanah desired a child – had prayed to God and had taken part in Hannah’s vow.

B. 1:23-28 – fulfills her vow. 1:28 – I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.

1. This is significant – b/c to do what she promised in 1:11 she had to give up what she wanted most – her son – and presented him to Eli to serve in the temple.

2. Some: Hannah wasn’t really giving him up – but returning him to God who have given him to Hannah in the first place.

C. 2:1-10 – Hannah praised God for His blessing upon her.

1. She expresses confidence in the sovereignty of God & thankfulness for everything He did.

2. She knew that God is all knowing – and that He will judge all sin/pride.

D. We need to be confident of God’s ultimate control over the events in our lives!

1. Are we as thankful as we need to be for how He has blessed us?

2. Count your many blessings…

3. Psa. 92:1

4. Rom. 6:17 – for salvation; Eph. 1:16 – for precious brethren.

V. We need more mothers like Hannah.

A. Abe Lincoln: No man is so fortunate as he who was fortunate enough to be born…with a godly mother.

B. Hannah changed history!

1. Samuel was an answered prayer!

2. He was dedicated to the service of God – would become a priest/prophet & judge of Israel.

3. he would lead his country back from the path of sin/waywardness

4. 3:19-20 – became known as a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.

5. 7:3-15 – b/c judge over Israel. He would later be mentioned in Hebrews 11:32-34 as a “hero of faith.”

C. Hannah obviously played a role in the spiritual development of Samuel.

1. behind every great man is a wonderful woman!

2. Prov. 18:22; 19:14

3. 2 Tim. 1:5 – Lois; Eunice; Timothy….

D. There are moms here who are doing a great job – continue on!

1. for her continued faith in God – God blessed Hannah w/5 other children – 3 sons & 2 daughters. 2:2

2. No doubt she should be an inspiration for today’s Christian.

Conclusion:

A. Do we turn to God in times of grief/despair/persecution & trust in Him for the answer?

B. Do we trust in Him to work out solutions in our lives – if we will live by faith? Act by faith?

C. Do we, like Hannah, express our thankfulness to God for the myriad of ways He has blessed us?

D. Do the mothers & fathers here take a serious role in the development of their children’s spiritual life through setting a good example? Bible teaching?

E. Do you need to get your spiritual life in order? Do so today!

F. I N V I T A T I O N



Hannah: Women of the Bible Pt. 4 in series 2002015 Subject: women of the Bible Introduction: A. The story of Hannah is told in 1 Samuel 1-3. 1. She was the mother of Samuel – Israel’s greatest judge. 2. she was fervent in her worship & effective in her prayer life. 3. She is someone who was willing to follow through even on a costly commitment. B. In this story we see how God hears & answers prayer 1. how our children are gifts from God. 2. and how God is concerned for the oppressed & afflicted. C. Story takes place in Ephraim just north of Jerusalem. I. Timeline on PowerPoint presentation II. Hannah’s situation…1:1-9 A. Name means “Grace.” B. Was favorite wife of Elkanah. Other wife was Peninnah. 1. Peninnah had sons/daughters – 1:4 2. 3 times/yr men required to attend religious feast at the tabernacle. a) Passover b) Feast of weeks c) Feast of booths 3. While there – he gave Peninnah & her sons/daughters portions to sacrifice. 4. 1:5 – gave Hannah double portion – for he loved her….But the LORD had closed her womb. C. Peninnah would provoke Hannah b/c of this. 1:6-7 – happened year after year… 1. married woman who could not have children was shamed in Israeli culture. a) childless woman = a failure. b) Source of social embarrassment for Elkanah. 2. The emotional distress upon Hannah became tremendous – to the point of her not eating. 1:7 3. So…she goes out & prays to God. D. There’s something here for us 1. in times of sorrow/distress/persecution – we need to draw near to God as Hannah did. 2. Js. 4:7-8; 1 Peter 5:7; Psa. 103:13-14. 3. Turn to Him – He will aid us if we will only ask. III. 1:10-18 – She petitions the Lord. A. 1:10-11 – makes a vow that if God would give her a child – that she would dedicate him to the Lord. 1. intense prayer made here – 1:10-11 – so much that Eli thought she was drunk. 2. 1:15 – I have poured out my soul before the Lord. a) she literally emptied the contents of her heart before the Lord. b) See also Psa. 62:5-8. B. Her prayer enabled her to go from a distressed spirit to one of a confident, unspoken trust in God. 1. demonstrated by the fact that her countenance before God was lifted. C. Note how her change in attitude came: 1. 1:11 – she honestly prayed to God. 2. 1:17 – she received encouragement from Eli 3. 1:18 – she resolved to leave the problem w/God. D. We need to apply this formula today! E. There is power in prayer! Mt. 7:7-8; Phil. 4:6-7; Js. 5:16 IV. 1:19-28 – she fulfills her vow. A. 1:19-20 she conceives & gives birth to Samuel. 1. name means: “heard of God.” 2. interesting: 1:21 – Elkanah desired a child – had prayed to God and had taken part in Hannah’s vow. B. 1:23-28 – fulfills her vow. 1:28 – I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord. 1. This is significant – b/c to do what she promised in 1:11 she had to give up what she wanted most – her son – and presented him to Eli to serve in the temple. 2. Some: Hannah wasn’t really giving him up – but returning him to God who have given him to Hannah in the first place. C. 2:1-10 – Hannah praised God for His blessing upon her. 1. She expresses confidence in the sovereignty of God & thankfulness for everything He did. 2. She knew that God is all knowing – and that He will judge all sin/pride. D. We need to be confident of God’s ultimate control over the events in our lives! 1. Are we as thankful as we need to be for how He has blessed us? 2. Count your many blessings… 3. Psa. 92:1 4. Rom. 6:17 – for salvation; Eph. 1:16 – for precious brethren. V. We need more mothers like Hannah. A. Abe Lincoln: No man is so fortunate as he who was fortunate enough to be born…with a godly mother. B. Hannah changed history! 1. Samuel was an answered prayer! 2. He was dedicated to the service of God – would become a priest/prophet & judge of Israel. 3. he would lead his country back from the path of sin/waywardness 4. 3:19-20 – became known as a trustworthy prophet of the Lord. 5. 7:3-15 – b/c judge over Israel. He would later be mentioned in Hebrews 11:32-34 as a “hero of faith.” C. Hannah obviously played a role in the spiritual development of Samuel. 1. behind every great man is a wonderful woman! 2. Prov. 18:22; 19:14 3. 2 Tim. 1:5 – Lois; Eunice; Timothy…. D. There are moms here who are doing a great job – continue on! 1. for her continued faith in God – God blessed Hannah w/5 other children – 3 sons & 2 daughters. 2:2 2. No doubt she should be an inspiration for today’s Christian. Conclusion: A. Do we turn to God in times of grief/despair/persecution & trust in Him for the answer? B. Do we trust in Him to work out solutions in our lives – if we will live by faith? Act by faith? C. Do we, like Hannah, express our thankfulness to God for the myriad of ways He has blessed us? D. Do the mothers & fathers here take a serious role in the development of their children’s spiritual life through setting a good example? Bible teaching? E. Do you need to get your spiritual life in order? Do so today! F. I N V I T A T I O N