REVIEW

• Last weekend – Mother’s Day – Proverbs 31 woman – “Strength & dignity”
• Prov 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. NLT
• Celebrating Biblical Womanhood – seeking God’s design, not our cultures – lessons from Godly women

PREVIEW

• Today – we’re talking about the Old Testament character, Hannah – her example.
• She was a godly woman that did not give in to her circumstance.
• She sought the Lord in deep anguish and God answered.
• She continued to live surrendered to the Lord.

1 Samuel 1-2 – Strength & Dignity Lessons from Hannah

1. Hannah doesn’t give in to her circumstances – vs1-8

1 Samuel 1:2 Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. NLT

• Good biblical interpretation: Identifying the difference between Description vs Prescription.
• Description: the biblical text describes what took place – what was happening in history
• Prescription: the biblical text is giving commands or prescribing how we’re to live

1 Samuel 1:6-7 So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. ⁷ Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle.^[c] Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat. NLT

• The Problem is presented: The barren womb and the ridicule that followed.
• False solutions presented: Her husband – a godly man but still not the
• Where do you look for solutions to your problems?
• What does she do with her pain and anguish?

2. Hannah prays to the Lord in her pain – vs 9-18

1 Samuel 1:10-11 Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. ¹¹ And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.” NLT

• In her bitter circumstances, she turns to the Lord (Heb 12:15; Eph 4:31)
• She makes a vow to the Lord to not hold on to His provision but to honor Him with it (Ecc 5:4-6)
• In her anguish, she is misunderstood but she does not retaliate (vs 15-16)
• What do you do when you’re hurting? Who or what do you turn to for relief?
• How do you respond when you’re misunderstood?

3. As God provides, Hannah fulfills her promise – vs 19-28

1 Samuel 1:26-28 “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. ²⁷ I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. ²⁸ Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they^[k] worshiped the Lord there. NLT

• God answered Hannah’s request with a yes and gave her a son, Samuel – “God hears” (Ps 34:17; 139:4)
• But prayer isn’t some magical formula to get whatever you want (1 Pet 3:12; 1 Jn 5:14-15; 2 Cor 12:8-9)

James 4:2c-3 Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. ³ And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. NLT

• Our motives in prayer matter. God is a good Father and wants to provide (Matt 7:7-11)
• Unanswered prayer or prayer where we don’t understand the answer is always hard (2 Cor 12:8-9; Isa 55:8-9; Job 38:1-3; 40:1-5)
• How do you respond when God doesn’t answer how you want?
• What are your motives for the things you’re praying about?

4. Hannah praises God and is blessed even more – 1 Samuel 2:1-10; 18-21

1 Samuel 2:1-2 Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me. ² No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. NLT

1 Samuel 2:9 “He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone. NLT

• Hannah celebrates the Lord and sees her strength coming from Him, not herself (Ps 28:7-8; Gal 2:20)
• She is not the solution to her problems. She celebrates that God is her hope (Lam 3:24-27; Ps 16:5)

1 Samuel 2:21   And the Lord blessed Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. NLT

• God blessed her far beyond her request (1 Sam 1:11) – Eph 3:20
• Her commitment to not hold on to God’s provision blessed the nation – i.e. Samuel

Practical Application

1. Are you playing victim to your circumstances or rising above by seeking the Lord?
2. If you have selfish motives in your requests, repent and ask for His perspective.
3. What aspects of His provision are you holding too tightly too?
4. How can you celebrate and honor God in His provision for you, regardless your circumstance?

For Small Group Discussion

Opening Question: Has God ever answered your prayers in a big way? Share what that was.

Main Point: Hannah turned to God during her time of need, and she kept her commitment to the Lord, even though it must have been difficult. We can be encouraged by her story to dedicate back to God what He has entrusted us with…

Main Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:21

Head Questions

• What was Hannah’s great desire from the Lord?
• Why was this so important to her?
• What was her response when God answered her prayers?

Heart Questions

• What is your greatest desire for the Lord to do for you?
• Do you think it’s a good idea to bargain with God the way Hannah did?
• What person in your life has demonstrated a great commitment to God?

Hands Questions

• What commitments do you think you should make to the Lord?
• What steps do you need to take to hand over your burdens to the Lord?

Additional Scripture: Psalm 18:1-3, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Matthew 6:33, Psalm 139:1-6

Tips and Resources: Don’t stop going to church over the summer!