1 Samuel 1: 1-20
The Family of Elkanah
1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of [a]Elihu, the son of [b]Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. 4 And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.
Hannah’s Vow
8 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
9 So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the [c]tabernacle of the Lord. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and [d]wept in anguish. 11 Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”
12 And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. 13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!”
15 But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not consider your maidservant a wicked[e] woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.”
17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”
18 And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
Samuel Is Born and Dedicated
19 Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name [f]Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the Lord.”
2 Samuel 2:1-2
And Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
My [a]horn is exalted in the Lord.
[b]I smile at my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
2 “No one is holy like the Lord,
For there is none besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
WHERE IS HANNAH?
The story begins with us being drawn to the culture of the day: polygamy. Elkanah had two wives, namely Hannah and Peninnah. Already, we can conclude that that is fertile soil for jealousy to thrive. Peninnah, the wife with many children, flaunted her fertility in Hannah’s face. Can we hear her naming her children: Victor, Success, Blessing, Grace, Angel, Favor, and Abundance, just to get under Hannah’s skin?
*What do we know about Hannah?
*She was valued by Elkanah, her husband.
*She received abundance from him.
*She felt forgotten by God.
*Her pain and despondence reached the peak of sorrow.
*She changed her focus from her situation to God’s ability.
*She prayed continuously, with expectation.
*She was misjudged and accused by Eli, the priest who lacked discernment, but later prophesied to her, although his was not a spot-free lifestyle.
*She believed and received Eli’s ultimate prophecy.
*She became an expectant worshipper.
Peninnah’s provocation propelled Hannah into purpose. Sometimes we are angry, disappointed, and frustrated about our enemies, and naturally so. Who would want to see them flourish? Nevertheless, Hannah’s path was of such that she could not change her own destiny, (Proverbs 19:21). What Hannah failed to understand was that she was carrying an anointing that would be birthed in God’s timing.
Birthing comes with, cravings, discomfort, anxiety, travailing and delivery. Let us realize that when we experience those symptoms we are on the road to delivery. Where are the Hannahs? What does God want us to birth? Where is the willingness to stay with, the process? Where is the blessing of Matthew 5:11, when we are persecuted, lied on, discarded, and seemingly the butt of the joke.
The fruition of God’s assignment can be delayed by doubt and negative self-talk. On the other hand, God is calling us to hear and do. If, for whatever reason, we have lost a sense of belonging, or when we feel as if we don’t fit in with the in-crowd, then we should become Hannah and hold on to ?the horns of the altar and forget about man’s opinion of us. What we are carrying WILL BE BIRTHED. Hannah kept going to the Temple despite the ridicule. She must have wept between the porch and the altar, although she was misunderstood. The
priest’s evaluation was that she was filled with something other than the Spirit of Christ.
Peninnah served her purpose in keeping Hannah at the throne of mercy. She was just a tool that was used for the Lord’s purpose to prevail. The time came when Hannah’s perseverance produced a prophet. Hannah had been chosen to walk in victory and let the enemy see her head being lifted. Let us remember that God is the glory and the lifter up of our head. (Psalm 3:3)
Eventually, Hannah birthed Samuel, so she sang her song (from 2 Samuel 2:1-2).
My heart rejoices in the Lord.
My horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth is enlarged,
Over my foes, I rejoice
In your salvation.
There is none holy as the Lord.
There is none beside Thee.
Neither is there any rock
Like our God
There is none holy as the Lord.
Miriam and Moses (Exodus 15), Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20), David (1 Samuel 16 and 2 Samuel 6), and Deborah (Judges 5) all knew about songs of triumph. What about us?
Hannah kept her promise to the Lord. Samuel was born and weaned and presented to the priest at the Temple, at an opportune time. He was dedicated to God who used him to convey a message to Eli about his unruly sons; He anointed Saul to become king; He anointed and prophesied to David who in turn killed Goliath and became king himself, eventually; wrote the Psalms along with other musicians, soothed Saul with music and captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites. Samuel also led Israel against the Philistines. He called Israel to repentance and let them place a stone called Ebenezer, as a memorial of God’s help.
Samuel’s doings manifested because of Peninnah’s provocation that fueled Hannah’s prayer. The embarrassment and provocation that Hannah experienced were projectiles for her harvest. Hannah may not have known what Peninnah’s role would produce. Yet, she persevered and postured in humility to God thus receiving the fruit of her labor, (1Corinthians 15:58).
When Jesus left the earth, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men, (Ephesians 4:8). We may have suffered silently, prayed passionately, wept, and fasted, but it Is about time for us to stop crying. God has seen our tears. They are in His book and bottle, (Psalm 56:8). Our destiny helpers embodied as Peninnahs, have been positioned by God. Bless them and see God’s hand birth the anointing that destroys the yoke we may carry. Instead of becoming bitter, recognize that embedded in us is the package (like Samuel’s anointing) that will impact someone else’s destiny, for generations to come. Are we curtailing the birth of our Samuel because we are bitter against Peninnah?
This kind of birthing has nothing to do with age. Alternatively, it has everything to do with revelation knowledge, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, a willingness to obey, tenacity and a demonstration of trust in God. BE Hannah! Just BE! (Matthew 5:11).
REFLECTION
• How difficult (though possible) is it for us to take Hannah’s stance?
• Why is there a tendency to despise the Peninnah’s along our journey?
Dr O. A. James