Acting in Faith
“Yes, then the Lord will establish his word.” (1 Samuel 1:23c)
1 Samuel begins by introducing us to a believing Israelite named Elkanah. Every year, he made the trip with his family to Shiloh to sacrifice to the Lord. Remember that the Israelite culture is not the same as ours today; he had two wives.
- One wife was Peninnah, with whom he had sons and daughters.
- The other wife was Hannah, but she couldn’t have children.
This chapter shows that Elkanah was aware of Hannah’s feelings. Each year, her rival would use the opportunity to show how superior she was because she gave her husband children. Even though Elkanah gave Hannah a double portion of the fellowship offering, which included a communal meal, the hurt of not being able to have children hurt Hannah deeply. No matter what her husband told her, the hurt remained.
One year when at Shiloh, Hannah left the crowd, went back to the tabernacle, and prayed from the depths of her sorrow. She made a vow to the Lord that if he granted her a son, she would give her son back to the Lord to serve him. She was praying so fervently that the high priest, Eli, thought she was drunk. When she explained, Eli said, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel give you what you have asked for.”
While Hannah made a vow, according to the Law of Moses, Elkanah could revoke the vow. God answered her prayer, and the son she asked for was named, Samuel. The next year, when it was time to go back to Shiloh, she reminded Elkanah of her vow. She told him she wouldn’t go back until he was weaned. That’s when Elkanah spoke this verse.
This is a good example of a believer’s confidence. The Lord does establish his word by fulfilling his promises. God is in charge. He does what he says.
Take time to review the life of Samuel to see how God used the answer to Hannah’s prayer not only for her joy but also for his kingdom in Israel.
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for establishing your word. Now, we can continue to rejoice in the victory over our sin and death that you have promised and supplied for us in Jesus. Keep establishing you word among us. Amen.