A Mother’s Prayer: Part 2

1 Samuel 1:12-28

Big Idea: Leave it with the Lord

Exegetical Summary:

Hannah’s story begins in utter helplessness (silence); it anticipates Israel’s royal narrative which also begins in helplessness. As Hannah moves to voice (2,1-10), so Israel’s narrative moves to power in the historical process. Both Hannah’s future and Israel’s future begin in weakness and need, and move toward power and well-being. The narrative of 1 Samuel 1 functions to introduce the theological theme of ’cry-thanks’ which appears in the larger narrative in terms of Israelite precariousness and Yahweh’s powerful providence. Our chapter corresponds canonically to 2 Samuel 24 which portrays David in the end (like Hannah) as a needy, trusting suppliant. The two chapters, witnesses to vulnerable faith, together bracket Israel’s larger story of power." [Note: Walter Brueggemann, "1 Samuel 1 : A Sense of a Beginning," Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 102:1 (1990):48.]1

MAJOR POINT: God uniquely uses the Bible, characters and nations, to connect with all of us on an individual level. Hannah’s story shows us how to go from helpless to comfort and peace.

TRANSITION: It all surrounds a mother’s prayer.

KEY: You can find joy even before your situation changes…when you leave “it” with the Lord.

STEPS Hannah followed to move from helplessness to comfort and peace…

I. Absolute focus on the Lord and laying her problem at his feet.

a. Connecting with God neglecting the world’s perception. (V. 12&13)

b. The deeper you connect with God; the harder it is for the world to connect with you.

i. Briefly discuss Eli’s problem

1. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.”2 — Verse 14

ii. The blessing of God.

c. Sometimes God burdens your heart and it is a personal thing between you and God.

i. This may bring you ridicule.

ii. This connects you to God in a special way.

d. Hannah’s focus on prayer overshadowed her concern for things around her.

II. Hannah trusted God with what burdened her heart.

III. Hannah trusted God so much that she could…

a. Find Joy before her prayer was answered.

i. “Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” 3 - verse 18

b. Worship (Verse 19)

c. Let God manage what she cherished

IV. Conclusion

a. Leave the “it” with the Lord.

b. Jeremiah 29:13, You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Side note:

Eastern women nursed their babies up to three years. When the child was weaned, Hannah took him and a generous offering to the sanctuary4