Unlikely Heroes: Hannah - Faith in the Face of Difficulty
Pastor Phil Moser
October 30th, 2022
Pastor Phil Moser
October 30th, 2022
1 Samuel 2:1-10
1 And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the LORD;
my horn is exalted in the LORD.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
2“There is none holy like the LORD:
there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
3 Talk no more so very proudly,
3 Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the LORD is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble bind on strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
6 The LORD kills and brings to life;
6 The LORD kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
8 He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world.
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world.
9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.
10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven.
10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven.
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
Hannah's Challenges
1) Her family situation was not ideal (1 Sam. 1:2)
1 Samuel 1:1-2
There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
1 Samuel 1:4-7
On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her.
1) Her family situation was not ideal (1 Sam. 1:2)
1 Samuel 1:1-2
There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
1 Samuel 1:4-7
On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her.
2) Her emotions were all-consuming (1:7-8)
1 Samuel 1:7-8
So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
1 Samuel 1:7-8
After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.
1 Samuel 1:7-8
So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
1 Samuel 1:7-8
After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.
3) Her leaders were insensitive to her pain (1:8, 14)
1 Samuel 1:8, 14
8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
1 Samuel 1:8, 14
8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.”
Hannah's Responses
#1: Be Transparent: Don’t hide your pain (1:8)
1 Samuel 1:7-8
So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway. Mother Theresa
#1: Be Transparent: Don’t hide your pain (1:8)
1 Samuel 1:7-8
So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway. Mother Theresa
#2: Be Non-retaliatory: Don’t avenge yourself (Rm. 12:19)
1 Samuel 1:4-7
On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her.
Romans 12:18-21
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Samuel 1:4-7
On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her.
Romans 12:18-21
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
#3: Be Prayerful: Depend on the Lord (1:10)
1 Samuel 1:9-10
After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.
When Jesus Suffered
#1: Father forgive them
#2: Today you will be with me in paradise
#3: Woman behold your son, son behold your mother
#4 My God, My God why have you forsaken me?
#5 I am thirsty
#6: It is finished
#7: Father into your hands I commit my spirit
1 Samuel 1:9-10
After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.
When Jesus Suffered
#1: Father forgive them
#2: Today you will be with me in paradise
#3: Woman behold your son, son behold your mother
#4 My God, My God why have you forsaken me?
#5 I am thirsty
#6: It is finished
#7: Father into your hands I commit my spirit
#4: Be Surrendered: Trust that God knows best (1:11)
1 Samuel 10-11
She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said,, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life…"
Some have taken Hannah’s vow as bargaining with God…But, what happened in Hannah’s heart was that she had come to the place where she was willing to give up to God the one thing that had become most important to her in life: a son. Hannah’s prayer was not an act of bargaining, but an act of surrender. In giving up to God the thing most precious to her, Hannah found inner peace.
-- Sue and Larry Richards
1 Samuel 10-11
She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said,, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life…"
Some have taken Hannah’s vow as bargaining with God…But, what happened in Hannah’s heart was that she had come to the place where she was willing to give up to God the one thing that had become most important to her in life: a son. Hannah’s prayer was not an act of bargaining, but an act of surrender. In giving up to God the thing most precious to her, Hannah found inner peace.
-- Sue and Larry Richards
#5: Be Grateful: Praise God for each opportunity (2:1-10)
1 Samuel 2:1. NLT
Then Hannah prayed:
1 Samuel 2:1. NLT
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.
7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
8 He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world.
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world.
9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.
10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven.
10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven.
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
#6: Be Impactful: Influence others through your sacrifice (25:1)
1 Samuel 25:1
Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah.
1 Samuel 25:1
Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah.