A Prayer-Vow for your child (1 Sam 1.1-13) and an example prayer
“O LORD of hosts,
if only you will look on the misery of your servant,
and remember me, and not forget your servant,
but will give to your servant a male child,
then I will set him before you as a nazirite
until the day of his death.
He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants,
and no razor shall touch his head.”As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard.
“I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD.
“Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.”
Background
The birth of the prophet Samuel was a pivotal event because he was the bridge between Israel ruled by Judges and ruled by kings. Because his birth was so important, prayer plays an important role.
The story begins by telling us about a man named Elkanah and his wives Hannah and Peninnah. Though the latter had given birth to children, Hannah could not become pregnant. Her husband favored her, gave her more things, and tried to console her, saying, “Aren’t I worth more to you than ten sons?”1 But Peninnah made ridiculed her, and Hannah was ashamed.
We have discussed the shame associated with being a “barren woman.” Stories of these women, the husbands who loved them, and the God who cared for them, are found many times in the Bible.2
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