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Sermon on Hannah in the Bible – Lessons from Hannah in the Bible

Sermon on Hannah in the Bible – Sermon outline by G. E. Watkins on the Bible character Hannah and her prayer to God for a son. From 1 Samuel 1.

TITLE: Lessons From the Life of Hannah

TEXT: 1 Samuel 1:1-17

INTRODUCTION:

1. 3000 years ago Hannah was born in the land of Israel. It was a land of farming and ranching. She was a country girl.

2. It appeared that Hannah was doomed to a second-rate existence.

1) In a world where mothers were valued, Hannah had no children and it appeared she never would.

2) She was married to a fairly wealthy man by the name of Elkanah. He could afford two wives and many children.

3) She had an adversary in the form of Peninnah, Elkanah’s second wife. Peninnah provoked Hannah.

4) Hannah lived a life of being continually upset because of Peninnah.

5) In the ancient world, it was thought that if one was not blessed it was because of sin in your life.

a. It was a great problem for Rachel, the wife of Jacob, Gen. 30:1.

b. Job was accused of sin because of his calamities, Job 8.

c. Even centuries later Elisabeth thanked the Lord for taking away her “reproach among men,” Luke 1:25.

3. But Hannah had a spirit that would not give up.

1) She was only willing to accept her lot if God said so.

2) She was willing to offer to God all she had.

3) How Hannah went about trying to change her lot is well worth studying.

4. What we’re going to notice today is…

1) Hannah’s trust in God.

2) Hannah’s knowledge of God.

3) Hannah’s integrity.

4) Hannah’s bounty.

DISCUSSION:

I.   HANNAH TRUSTED GOD. SHE WAS CONVINCED THAT GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS. (EVEN THE PRAYERS OF A BARREN WOMAN.)

1. Hannah was in bitterness of soul, v. 12.

2. She and Elkanah were not capable, she was barren.

3. She was harassed by her rival.

4. We that trust are at our most powerful when we have no more reserves of our own. “Where could I go but to the Lord…”

5. She made her request and was validated by the high priest, 1:17.

6. She received her request. She had a son, 1:19.

7. One can only imagine the look on her face when she heard the empty, shallow bleatings of her rival in the future.

8. Woman with an issue of blood, Luke 8:43-48.

9. Woman of Canaan, Matthew 15:22-28.

10. Where do you go when you are out of resources?

11. Are you willing to give it all back to God? Matt. 19:16-28.

II.  HANNAH KNEW HER BIBLE

1. Where did Hannah’s conviction come from?

2. She wasn’t a simple-minded material girl. This woman knew her Bible, 2:1-10.

3. She spoke of:

1) Salvation/Victory

2) Holiness

3) Judgment

4) God’s Ability/Omnipotence. God can and man is impotent before Him.

4. Brings to mind Mary’s knowledge, Luke 1:46-56.

5. So, if faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17)…

6. Hannah listened to the teachers and priests and took the things of God to heart.

7. Have you ever bemoaned the fact that a deep knowledge of scripture has eluded you. 1 Tim. 4:13; Psa. 1:2; Psa. 119:11; Ezra 7:10

III. HANNAH’S INTEGRITY, SHE KEPT HER VOW

1. “I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life…,” 1:11.

2. No razor (Nazarite vow), Jdg. 13:5.

3. He was presented to Eli, 1:24-28

4. Samuel ministered before the Lord, 2:18-19.

5. It’s easy to conveniently forget a vow.

1) “Keep my family safe and I’ll quit smoking/clean up my language/attend worship like I should.”

2) Hannah promised to give up her son. Then she gave up her son.

6. I don’t see how doing anything you’re already supposed to be doing would interest God.

7. Hannah’s vow wasn’t something she should already be doing.

IV.  HANNAH RECEIVED MORE THAN SHE ASKED FOR

1. The Lord visited Hannah, 2:21. 2 more sons and 2 daughters.

2. No more bitterness of soul. No more fretting.

3. God delights in giving, Matt. 7:11.

4. He is the giver of all good things, Jas. 1:17

5. God gives Solomon more than he asks, 1 Kings 3:9-14.

CONCLUSION:

1. This is a very personal story. Our crises are very personal.

1) It may be illness.

2) Or financial crisis.

3) Or safety.

2. Answered prayer calls for a spirit that will lay it in God’s hands.

3. Hannah approached boldly to the throne of God and made her request. She then committed everything to him. She reserved nothing.

4. Commit yourself to:

1) Trusting God.

2) Knowing your Bible.

3) Keeping your vows.