At the close of the Book of Judges, Israel is in an autonomous period of rebellion and increasing unfaithfulness to God. But as 1 Samuel opens, we are introduced to a couple practicing faith in God.
Elkanah, a Levitical priest, lived in Ramah with his wife Hannah. And his other wife, Peninnah, and their children. This is but one problem in Hannah’s predicament. She was also barren. (A double whammy!) This also gave cause for her arch-rival to bully and abuse her. Then, added to these difficulties, was the plight of her times—for she lived in an honor-shame culture and was powerless as a woman.
Hannah was depressed. Devalued. And desperate. But she did have faith. And there’s one thing faith does: it drives you Godward. Hannah’s faith expressed itself in devotion, in worship, and in prayer.
In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life (1 Samuel 1:10-11a).
Bill T. Arnold, in his commentary on 1 Samuel, wrote, “Hannah’s earnest prayer in the Shiloh sanctuary is the pivotal point in the narrative. After Eli blesses her, she is able to eat and ‘her face was no longer downcast.’ There is a telling contrast between the Hannah who is too despondent to eat and the Hannah who emerges from God’s presence full of hope and confidence. Though her circumstances have not yet changed, she has found a peace with God, a peace that leaves her buoyant and capable of returning with her family.”
Prayer changed everything. Not because we always get what we pray for (or if we do, it’s not always immediate). But because we enter into the presence of God—who lifts our hearts, our countenance, and boosts our faith.
Hannah’s song of worship (1 Samuel 2:1-10), filled with the dramatic and merciful reversals of God, reveal far greater blessings from God—above and beyond His eventual blessing of a son for her. God delivered Hannah from her anguish (1 Samuel 1:8, 10). He turned her agony to rejoicing (1 Samuel 2:1); her barrenness to motherhood (1 Samuel 1:20, 27); her disgrace to a place of honor; and removed the cause for further torment from her enemy (1 Samuel 2:1). Her son would also usher in a sort of deliverance for the nation, as well, when he eventually anointed David as their king.
Our God is a Deliverer. We can say with the psalmist, “You, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling” (Psalm 116:8). For we can point ahead to the scene of Revelation 21:4 before us with confidence . . . all because Jesus has delivered all those who belong to Him.
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