Samuel
– A Lifetime
Serving God
·
Often
in the Bible when people are touched by the Holy Spirit, they utter words that
are both human and divine. Hannah's prayer is like that. It is both personal
and prophetic.
·
In
her first words, Hannah rejoices in whom, the Lord! (2:1) Not her miracle
child!
·
Horns
are a symbol of strength (2:1). Hannah's strength comes from the Lord. She had
endured a lot to this point, and she is praising God for answered prayer.
·
Hannah
acknowledges the one true God (2:2), something Israel had failed to do many
times in its recent past. In the midst of all that's going on around her, Hannah
sees only God.
·
What
prevented her from seeing God this way before the birth of Samuel?
·
Israel
had painfully failed to keep focused on God's holiness throughout the time of
the Judges
·
Hannah's
warning against pride and arrogance is not just for Penninah, but also for all
of Israel (2:3-5). Remember Deut. 8:11-14.
·
Hannah
gives a series of examples of how God often works contrary to human
expectations.
·
Recall
the story of Gideon. See Judges 6:6,14-16, and Judges 7:2-6.
·
During
Samuel's lifetime, Israel will ask for a king to protect them from surrounding
empires
·
Hannah's
prayer now broadens and focuses on God's sovereign control. This is why it is
so important to follow God fully. (2:6-10)
·
Verse
10 is a glimpse of the Messiah
·
Notice
the similarities between this prayer and Mary's prayer in Luke 1:46-55
·
What
is it about God's miracles that make us reflect on God's power, and on our
humility?
#1) God will exalt those who are
humble and will humble those who exalt themselves. Meekness is not weakness.
Rather, recall the story of David and Goliath (I Sam. 17:45-47) (see also Phil.
2:3-8)
#2) As Christians, we must fight
our spiritual battles in God's strength, believing we can be victorious.
#3) We must not fail to worship
God, to thank and praise Him for His gifts and blessings.
For
next week, read I Samuel 2:12-36
