She Gave Her All

O. T. #574  "She Gave Her All"
August 10, 2015
1 Samuel 1-Part 2
Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:28

LET IT GLOW

We left the family of Elkanah at Shiloh where they went to worship God. Every year the men of the tribe of Levi (priestly tribe) took turns serving in the tabernacle. As mentioned before, Elkanah was a Levite. I found out a little more info about his godly heritage. He was a descendent from Levi by way of Kohath, which was one of the 3 major lines of the Levites. This important clan included Moses and Aaron.
MacArthur tells us that the sons of Kohath were assigned responsibilities for the Ark of the Covenant (Num. 3:30-31). Whenever Israel moved while in the wilderness, the Kohathites' duty was to disassemble the Holy of Holies and transport the Ark and all sacred utensils. At Shiloah, they were devoted to other priestly functions-especially music, prayer, and praise in the tabernacle (1 Chron. 6:30-33).

After arriving at Shiloh, Elkannah would have gone on from his family to perform his duties at the tabernacle, after distributing offerings for his two wives. God designed marriage as a monogamous relationship in the first place was to avoid this kind of strife within families.  Peninnah's taunts resulted in Hannah to weep bitterly and refrain from eating at times. She wanted to very badly to become a mother. This was not a selfish ambition, for she was determined to dedicate her first son to the Lord's service.

John MacArthur's book, Twelve Ordinary Men and Twelve Extraordinary Women teaches:

Motherhood is the highest calling any woman could ever be summoned to. It has been God's plan from the beginning that women should train and nurture godly children and thus leave a powerful imprint on society through the home. (1 Tim. 5:10; Titus 2:3-5) Hannah's influence as a godly wife and mother is traceable to the three great loves of her life-her husband, heaven (God), and home (family).

Sometimes it is God's will for women to remain single (1 Cor. 7:8-9), such as Miriam (Moses' sister).
Hannah was a faithful follower of God. She didn't demand children, but humbly prayed for one son, who would serve in the tabernacle. If God gave her a son, she would give him back to God. She kept her vow, as we will see further on in the story.

With all that said, verse 19 tells us this family rose up early in the morning, worshiped the Lord, and returned to their house. Hannah laid her trouble in the lap of the Lord. She put her trust in the God of Israel, so shouldn't we?

Psalm 55:22 tells us to Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you.

1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV says, Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Dear one, will you today?

LET IT GROW

This woman gave her all to her God. She kept her vows made to Him. There was no running away with the child, no changing her mind, finding excuses. She faithfully raised her much loved child to worship her God. When it was time, she gave up her child so God could use his life for His purposes and honor. What a difficult thing that is, yet a joyous time when you see your child worshiping the One True God. Also, to see your grandchildren praise Him, pray to Him, and trust in Jesus as their personal Savior. It can't get any better. My cup runs over. We know God honored that precious woman's sacrifice and used the boy in a mighty way for His nation.

Well, before the next year's time to go worship at Shiloh, Hannah conceived and bore a son. What did she name him but Samuel, which means heard of God. (verse 20) This particular year Hannah did not accompany the rest of Elkannah's family on the trip.

What did Hannah tell her husband concerning her reason for not going?

• She would not go until the child was weaned. This would take up to 3 years, as common in Palestine.
• Then she would bring Samuel before the Lord so he would stay and serve the Lord in the tabernacle all his life.

Elkannah understood and agreed that his wife should remain faithful to fulfill her vow and promise she had made earlier to God.

So when the time had come for this faithful mamma to give her child to the Lord, she did so. Along with her, Hannah took Samuel,a three year old bull, one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. The family participated in the baby dedication of Samuel, with the father sacrificing the bull. They brought the child to Eli the priest.

What did Hannah tell the priest Eli?

• She was the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
• She had prayed for this child Samuel.
• The Lord answered her prayer.
• So she was giving Samuel to the Lord (lent means asked for).
• As long as the child lives, he shall be serving the Lord.

Verse 28b states And he worshipped the LORD there.

Did this mother train her child in the three short years that she had him, to worship God! Such a wonderful baby dedication.

As a mother, I felt for Hannah. She was blessed with this son. What a joyful time she spent with him. Yet, in the back of her mind, each day brought her closer to the day she must give him back to the Lord for His service, as she had promised. She came to grips with it; she knew it was what she had to do.

I can't imagine the gamut of feelings mothers go through when they give up their baby/child for adoption. Such a selfless sacrifice for the betterment of the child. That is what makes adoption so precious and bitter-sweet.

Hannah is not finished at the tabernacle, for in chapter 2 we read of her praying again unto the Lord.

Do we pray earnestly, sincerely, and with all our heart? Jesus gave His all, His very life, so we could have eternal life. Does He deserve any less from us-our all?

LET IT GO

Cherish time spent with our children and grandchildren.

Train them to love and serve the Lord Jesus with their life.

Let go and let God have them.

Give my all to God for His glory.