A Prayer for a Son

A Prayer for a Son

(1 Samuel 1:9-18)

Yearly Theme:  “Love Does…”

Series Title:  Hopeful in the Meantime

November 10^th, 2019

Something to think about:

Watchman Nee’s story is a modern-day example that has been repeated time and time again in the Old Testament narratives.  Sarah is barren, but after some time, she conceives in her old age and gives birth to a son named Isaac.  Rebekah (Isaac’s wife) is barren, but after a while, she conceives and gives birth to twins named Esau and Jacob.  Jacob’s wife Rachel is barren – longing for a child – but after some time she gives birth to a son named Joseph, and then another son named Benjamin.  And now, today, we continue to the story of Hannah (from the book of 1 Samuel) who is barren – desperately longing for a son – but will God hear her prayers?  Let’s take a look…

1 Samuel 1:9-18 (NLT)

⁹  Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. ¹⁰  Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD. ¹¹  And she made this vow: “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the LORD, his hair will never be cut.”

¹²  As she was praying to the LORD, Eli watched her. ¹³  Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. ¹⁴  “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!”

¹⁵  “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the LORD. ¹⁶  Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”

¹⁷  “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”

¹⁸  “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.

So, what’s the take-away today?  What’s the main thing from this passage that we can learn?

Key Point:  “Hopeful prayer to a mighty God will dispel our despair.”

Let’s take a closer look at Hannah’s story today:

1. Instead of reeling in her distress and despair, Hannah found hope in taking her desires to the LORD in prayer.

1 Samuel 1:9-11 (NLT), ⁹  Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. 10  Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD. 11  And she made this vow: “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the LORD, his hair will never be cut.”

2. Hannah wasn’t discouraged by Eli’s response to her praying, nor did she rebuke him for thinking her drunk while praying.

1 Samuel 1:12-14 (NLT), ¹²  As she was praying to the LORD, Eli watched her. ¹³  Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. ¹⁴  “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!”

3. Hannah left the Temple in complete peace believing God had heard her prayers.

1 Samuel 1:17-18 (NLT), ¹⁷  “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” 18  “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.

Something to take home:

Have you ever been so desperate to hear from God that you prayed and prayed until He answered?  Or, have you given up and just moved on?  Maybe it’s time to trust in the LORD, and press in to Him.  Maybe it’s time to completely seek His will in the current situation you find yourself in.  Maybe it’s time to put your hope in God who knows what’s going on in your life and allow Him to do what He does best, “cause all things to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His good purpose for them.”[1]

Let’s remember the writer of Proverbs in the Old Testament who wrote:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT), ⁵  Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. ⁶  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Key Point:  “Hopeful prayer to a mighty God will dispel our despair.”

[1] Romans 8:28 (NLT), emphasis mine.