And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 1st Samuel 1:2 (NKJV)
As the narratives of 1st and 2nd Samuel begin, Samuel’s mother,
Hannah, is unable to conceive. In the culture of the day infertility had deeply
disturbing implications, involving embarrassment and even shame. She wanted
desperately to give Elkanah her husband, children. What made things worse was
Elkanah had a second wife named Peninnah who was prolific in her reproductive
capacities, having sons and daughters. However, Peninnah was prone to jealousy that
played out regularly against Hannah and in a vicious and spiteful way.
Elkanah’s marital acumen showed he wasn’t the sharpest chisel in the toolbox for he loved Hannah
and openly favored her (1st Sam 1:5). It sparked resentment in
Peninnah who took every opportunity to mock Hannah and her inability to
conceive and to make her life a living misery.
It became so
great a heartache for Hannah, she wept and couldn’t even eat. In desperation she
made a vow to the LORD, saying if the He would give her a male child, she would
give him to His service all of his life, in the lifelong Nazarite vow of
spiritual purity (1:11).
This vow was
made at the Tent of Meeting in Shiloh in front of Eli the High Priest, as she
silently prayed. She was so intent in her prayer that Eli watching her lips
moving thought her drunk and rebuked her. She assured him she was just a woman
of sorrowful spirit. He then told her to go in peace and blessed her in her
petition. The LORD heard her and honored her supplication.
While God
can answer our petitions not every denial means disapproval, but there are
times in His wisdom God says what we ask for isn’t in our best interests. Every
move on His part is predicated on His perfect will and His plan to grow and
strengthen us. It means His way is best. If He had denied Hannah, He was
offering His best to her and the nation of Israel. Consider the tragic story of
Samson (Judges chapters 13-16).
Asking and
waiting can be tiresome and discouraging and feel like we’re losing all hope. Have
you seen the t-shirt that says, “I had my patience tested. I was negative,”?
That’s one option. But God’s T-shirt always reads, “I had my patience tested. I
trusted.” Can that be wrong If He is God? Whatever the outcome my money’s on
t-shirt number two.
Next week we
will look at how Hannah was faithful in honoring a difficult vow and how God
honored her for her faithfulness.
Ken
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