Good morning people. How is the day going?
I've been thinking a lot about Eli, Elkanah, Hannah and Peninnah. The reference is 1Samuel 1, 2:1-21.
I wonder if Hannah was the first or second wife. Let's assume she was the first since she was mentioned first. Imagine the ridicule and shame in a society where a childless woman has no say or value. Imagine all what she had to deal with. Her husband, Elkanah, was a devout man but he had given up on Hannah ever having children...Verse 5 says he loved her (and tried somehow to make it up to her) BUT THE LORD HAD SHUT UP HER WOMB (repeated in Verse 6). I'll like to ask, though, how they knew that it was the Lord that shut up her womb...
Hannah's case was OVER, FINISHED. CASE CLOSED.
I find Peninnah's case quite intriguing. Peninnah had children but she still felt it was part of her job description to provoke Hannah. Peradventure you're like Peninnah today, you need to repent. You know it's the green-eyed monster that is inspiring you...Also note that Peninnah went to Shiloh with Hannah and Elkanah and still remained unchanged...Selah!
Every year, the same scene would repeat itself...They'll get to Shiloh, everything seems okay till it's offering time. Elkanah would give Peninnah and her sons portions to offer (note that Peninnah was giving offerings yet her heart remained unchanged...). He'll also give Hannah a portion that was not like that of Peninnah and her sons. Peninnah, moved by jealousy, would provoke Hannah sore, Hannah would weep and refuse to eat. Elkanah would profess 'undying love' to Hannah and the matter would 'end' there TILL NEXT YEAR.
The 'worthy portion' was part of Hannah's 'consolation prize' so she wouldn't feel bad. It was the consolation prize that triggered Peninnah to provoke Hannah...I dare say Elkanah's human attempts to make it up to Hannah was the real problem in that household, not Peninnah!
Anyway, Hannah decided one year (only God knows how long that was) to take the matter up with the Lord who shut up her womb. Her soul was bitter and it was said that it was the Lord that was responsible for her predicament. She went before Him and presented her case. Since He is Almighty and she was a mere mortal, she vowed a vow.
There are some 'afflictions' that are beyond us as mere mortals. We need to present our case and make vows. Please note that Hannah was not the first (or only) person in the Bible to make a vow. Jacob also made a vow (Genesis 28:20-22, 31:13).
Hannah's prayer was not marked by shouting, shaking or plenty drama. She was quiet and only her lips were moving. If you are led to shout, shake or act drama, please do so but note that it is the heartfelt, continued prayer of the righteous man that makes tremendous power available (James 5:16)
Eli was watching her and he thought she was drunk. Eli was no longer an 'on fire' prophet, he couldn't even tell when someone was sorrowful or drunk...He spoke harshly to a sorrowful woman...
Hannah's response here is what I've been thinking about for about three weeks now. She had every right to feel offended. Why should Eli talk to her like that? She could have easily despised him or said something nasty to him. She could have kept an offense in her heart. I believe someone who has been trusting God for something for so long needs to hear this. This meeting with Eli was key. Hannah's response to a 'harsh' word from the prophet was key in getting him to bless her and finish the matter...What if Hannah hissed and walked out? What if she decided to come on Facebook and rant about old prophets that mistake sorrowful women for drunk women? Lol!
Eli said to her "Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him."
That was all Hannah needed to finish off. It's great to pray and make petitions. However, you need to hear from God that He has heard your petition. How He sends His response is His perogative but you need to be attentive after you've prayed. A lot of us are used to praying and praying; few of us are used to listening to what God has to say after we've prayed.
Hannah left the temple that day with a happy countenance and with a word of assurance from the Lord that her petition was granted. I would have thought that we would have been told that Hannah woke up the next day and discovered that she was 3 months pregnant, lol. Or maybe she found a new born baby beside her the next morning. Well, Elkanah still had to 'know' her and she still had to conceive and go through gestation, delivery (was it 'normal' delivery or C/S? Lol), nursing, weaning etc. There was nothing 'supernatural' from then on.
I am glad Elkanah was wise enough to realise that this miracle child, Samuel, came as a result of Hannah's petitions and didn't do anything to mess with Hannah's vow...Afterall, he wasn't expecting any child from Hannah anyway... (I had to look for something to praise Elkanah for, lol).
Hannah was wise enough to honour her vow and she was blessed with 5 more kids.
Another interesting thought is that even God was waiting for Samuel! He was already tired of Eli and all his drama. A lot was hanging on Hannah's petition...
Have a blessed and enjoyable weekend.
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