Hannah - A Model Mother

"Hannah - A Model Mother" is an expository sermon by Earl White.

1 Samuel 1:5-18

1 Samuel 1:5-6, "But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb."

We will be taking a look at this entire chapter. The trials of this model mother brought out her faith. Many times God allows trials to come and the believer’s response is one of faith.

One of the first things that we learn about her was that:

I. SHE WAS UNFULFILLED.

She had a husband who loved her and was good to her; verse 5: He gave her a worthy portion. “Or, one choice portion, as the Targum; the best part or portion in the peace offering, of what the priest had not; he had the breast and the right shoulder, the next best piece he gave to Hannah; and the word being of the dual number, some render it a double portion;”

But this did not satisfy Hannah. She had given her husband no son. She was much troubled over this. The lack of a son created a need in Hannah’s life that the love of a husband could not satisfy. There was nothing left for her to do but:

II. SHE WENT TO GOD WITH THE IMPOSSIBLE.

We see this in 1 Samuel 1:9-11, "So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head."

1. Her prayer was prayed out of the bitterness of her soul. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.Verses 11-12: “And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.” The word “marked her mouth” means that he observed her mouth.
2. Hannah was praying and her mouth moved with her silent words. 1 Samuel 1:13, "Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken."Here was a prayer that got results that was not prayed in an audible sound. Is silent prayer heard by the Lord? This particular incident proves that silent prayers are definitely heard by the Lord.

III. SHE WAS NOT AFRAID TO MAKE A COMMITMENT.

There are two things about commitment:

1. There are those who make a commitment and think nothing about breaking it.
2. There are those who fear and will not make one.
3. Hannah’s commitment reveals her unselfishness. She definitely is classified as a “Woman of God.”

VI. SHE WAS NOT EASILY DISCOURAGED.

1. Eli thought she was drunk because of the nature of her behavior.
2. Many would have left in bitterness and blamed God for the misbehavior of the priest. (preacher).

V. FINALLY SHE RESTED ON GOD’S PROMISE.

1 Samuel 1:17-18, "Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad."

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

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