Hannah was one of Elkanah’s two wives, and she was childless. His other wife, Peninnah, had children and she was very cruel to Hannah because she was childless. Every year Elkanah would take his family from their city, and go up to Shiloh to make sacrifices to the LORD of Hosts. On days that he made offerings, he would give Peninnah and her sons and daughters a portion of meat, but to Hannah, he would give a double portion because she was childless. Peninnah would provoke and taunt Hannah so severely, that she couldn’t even eat; but would weep bitterly in her soul. Elkanah tried to console her, but she was getting desperate.
One day, she wept so uncontrollably, that Eli the high Priest observed her and thought she was drunk and said to her, “Woman put away your wine!” But she had just prayed a powerful prayer; in which she made a vow to the LORD that if He blessed her with a son, then she would give the son back to the LORD and he would be dedicated to serving the LORD all of his life. She also promised that his hair would never be cut.
When Hannah told Eli that she was not drunk, but discouraged and was praying with great anguish and sorrow, Eli said to her, “Go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” This changed her whole mood and gave her hope and she went back to eating.
1 Samuel 1:9-18 ESV After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. (10) She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. (11) And she vowed a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head." (12) As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. (13) Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. (14) And Eli said to her, "How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you." (15) But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. (16) Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation." (17) Then Eli answered, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him." (18) And she said, "Let your servant find favor in your eyes." Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
Four Key Points From Hannah’s Prayer, About Petitioning The LORD:
1. EMPTY SELF! Hannah had prayed with all of her heart, soul and being. She poured out in anguish, her unbearable situation, she emptied herself completely.
2. LEAVE IT AT THE ALTAR! She left her problem at the altar of God. So often, we take it back up and carry it in a bag full of needs, prayer petitions, personal addiction, etc.
3. BELIEVE! She believed the man of God when said; “Go in peace; and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him."
4. JUST TOUCH THE HEM! Eli, the High Priest didn’t know what Hannah was praying for, it was a secret petition as we so often do during prayer time in a worship service; “unspoken prayers.” It is like the woman who touched the hem of Jesus garment.
Upon arriving back home, that night, Elkanah slept with Hannah and the LORD remembered her plea and blessed her with a son, whom she named Samuel. The next year Hannah did not go up with her husband to sacrifice because the baby was not yet weaned. When he was weaned, she took him up to Shiloh and presented him to Eli the High Priest and asked him if he remembered her; that she was the woman several years earlier who was so distraught. She then presents the boy as a gift to the LORD for service.
1 Samuel 1:24-28 ESV And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. And the child was young. (25) Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. (26) And she said, "Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the LORD. (27) For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him. (28) Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.
When we make a vow to the LORD, we better be serious about it. God does not take our words lightly. Our courts are quick to make us swear and our government agencies, require us to take an oath, when we file a legal document or register to vote. Jesus actually says, “Don’t do it.” All of my life, when confronted with oaths, vows and swearing, my stand has been to obey Jesus.
Matthew 5:33-37 KJV Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: (34) But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: (35) Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. (36) Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. (37) But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Judges really hate it when you stand before them and refuse to be sworn in and refuse to raise your right hand, an act of taking an oath whether you say the words or not. However, they are accustomed to it and by constitutional law they must allow you, with your hands by your sides to affirm your truth. Your yes is yes and your no is no and the preceding will go on. Some judges are more gracious than others about this issue. Some will gnash their teeth and get red in the face and make a spectacle out of you. But who are you going to obey; Jesus or the judge. Be assured that it is your right to affirm and not swear.
In our society, contracts are meant to be broken, marriage vows are not till death do us part, but until the first one commits adultery or just plain gets bored and wants a change. Parents make vain promises to their children all of the time. Even without promises, most people’s word is worth very little. GOD HATES THIS!
The LORD Hates Liars, Double Minded, Covent (Oath, VOW & Promise)Breakers
James 1:8 KJV A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
James 4:8 KJV Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Proverbs 6:16-19 KJV These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: (17) A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (18) An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, (19) A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Romans 1:28-32 KJV And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for showing me your stand on vows, oaths and swearing. Help me to always be truthful. Help me to always leave my problems at the foot of the cross; at the altar of God and to believe in your promises, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Copyright © 2006, 2011 Thomas C. Blake
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