March 19th

March 19th -- 1 Samuel 1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%201&version=NLT)

Elkanah and his family ; Hannah's Prayer for a son ; Samuel's birth and dedication

So there is a man who lives out in Ramah, who had two wives, of which only one had children. Peninnah had children but Hannah seemed unable to have any. This man went yearly to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to God. When he presented the sacrifices, he gave multiple portions to Peninnah and her sons, but only one to Hannah as he loved her but she had no children. Every time, though, Peninnah would taunt Hannah for it, and Hannah would become so upset she would not even eat. Elkanah would ask why she cried, asking if he was not better than ten sons, and she had him.

One time, after the sacrifice, Hannah goes out to pray. She went and prayed outside the Tabernacle and Eli could see her, as he sat at its entrance. She was horribly upset as she prayed, and cried out, making a promise if He gives her a son, she will dedicate him to God and never cut his hair. Eli watches her and sees her mouth moving but hears no words, so he thinks she is drunk and tells her to leave. Hannah explains she has not had anything to drink, but was pouring out her heart to God. Eli then instead tells her to be on her way in peace and says he hopes God will give her what she asked. She thanks him and leaves, then eats as she is no longer sad.

The next morning, the whole family goes to worship. God remembered Hannah's prayer and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, naming him Samuel. When they go to sacrifice that next year, Hannah stays back, explaining she will come next year when Samuel is fully weaned and then he shall remain there permanantly with the Lord. When Samuel is weaned, they bring him to the Tabernacle, along with sacrifices. Hannah brings Samuel to Eli, asking if he remembers her and her cry to God for a son and explaining God granted it so she is here to give her son back to God. Then they worshipped.

Only thought: It must have been very hard for Hannah to finally have a son, then give him up. Even when she had promised,  admire her strength for being able to go through with that. It would have been so hard after wanting a child so long, then getting one and having to give him up almost right away. Yet she did it, because it was the Godly thing to do. I admire that strength of conviction to her promises with God.

Well, that shall be all! God bless! Shalom!