🥰Shalom!! So yesterday we learned a little about who Hannah was and the meaning of her name.. which is favor and grace. Do you ever sit back and think wow, I wonder did her parents put great thought into naming her that.. especially when we see what sis went through!? I think so because if you look back most babies where name with purpose (MESSAGE)... ok so we see from the text in 1 Samuel 1:1-8 is where we will stay today.. Hannah as I mentioned was one of the wives of Elkanah and she had no children however.. anytime she is mentioned with the other wife .. she is always noted first.. which mean she was reverence’s in high regard.. (just like when u read about Shem, Ham, Japheth.. although Shem is not the first born.. Shem is always mentioned first when they are grouped) AND for good cause as we will come to see later! Anyway, so verse 1-3 more or less just goes back to what we saw in the intro .. ALSO it shows what type of man Hannah was married to, one who served The Most High and worshipped him.. Here in verse 4-5 it mentions how he gave portions to his children and his other wife.. in 5 it reads “But unto Hannah he gave a WORTHY portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.” In reality, Hannah I am sure was grateful.. but what she desires is to bare her husband’s child.
🕑Can we take a minute to ponder on why? Why did she want a child so badly? Jot your notes down!!
💁🏾♀️In the scriptural days that is one of the most important things a woman can do, for her husband is keep the lineage going.. and when a woman can’t, she feels worthless.. BUT little dis she know.. she missed something.. which we know why those who already know the ending!! The Most High gives and takes.. HE doesn’t need permission from anyone to do what HE chooses..it’s HIS will before anyone or thing as HE is never a respecter of persons (Romans 2:11)! Now..IF we are thinking on righteous terms... Hannah was already given a worthy a portion by her husband.. what do you think that meant.. jewels, fine linens, and gold? Or could there be a deeper nugget here..Yessss it was a token of his love and respect for her which is a reflection of The Most Highs love for her.. But can we spend a min here? See although her barrenness did not cause him to love her less, but her husband actually loved her more because of it.. he would comfort her under her affliction. Why is it we don’t think our husband feel our afflictions? A righteous husband won’t discard your brokenness, why? Because IF he is supposed to be a representative of The Most High, then wouldn’t a righteous husband mimic HIS reaction to brokenness according to Psalm 34:18, because Psalm 51:17 speaks volumes!! That makes the difference.. there’s a reason behind Hannah’s husbands response..so let’s keep going...Verse 6-7 goes to say 6 And her “adversary” also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. 7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. Sooo we find here the scripture, NOT Channah calls the other wife her adversary.. the one who provoked her to hurt.. caused her to worry and most likely doubt what she already knew.. (Remember, the meaning of Hannah’s name).. Hannah was so as we would call today...depressed. She wept and didn’t eat. One has to think why whar would cause her to act that way?.. just because she couldn’t have a child and she had many.. Well to be honest, it was Hannah who unknowingly was being envied by the other wife. While Penniah had the children.. Hannah was unbeknownst given a promise (just like Leah, remember when we studied her!) in addition to the worthy portion and the display of love from her husband.. Thats all the “adversary” saw.. and that is what provoked her to jealousy and confused as to why she wasn’t given xyz..seeing she had the children...When truth is we all have a role to play when building a house.. whether it’s in monogamous or poly.. the gist is the house needs to be built for The Most High purpose.. and stands on a righteous solid foundation from the beginning.. and we see that the husband did that. Even though he was concerned for Hannah.. he didn’t provoke her OR beat her down while she was at her lowest: Lets see how a RIGHTEOUS husbands handles this situation according to verse 8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? 🙌🏾 He ain’t tell her get over it! Just take it.. He asked why and gave an explanation of his view.. which is why I loved his answer! Because yes, while I understand her grief, especially being provoked in it.. she was STILL blessed with an understanding husband who showed his love outwardly and made it known by giving her WORHTY portions.. he didn’t deal harshly with her.. and she could have rested in that.. not saying she didn’t find solace in her husband.. but in her mindset, he had children.. so he couldn’t understand the void in that moment.. and Peninnah wasn’t trying to understand. So here we find Hannah wandering in her emotions.. but remember all who wanders aren’t lost!! AND if she didn’t, we wouldn’t be here to get this good message Hannah provides!! Romans 8:28!!
🔐Takeaway: IF I’m being transparent.. I get why Peninnah (adversary) felt some kind of way But on the other hand that was no reason for her to ridicule Hannah for not having a child..Truth is we would probably be reading a different story if Hannah was shown compassion by Peninnah, it could have been a beautiful sisterhood... but oh beautiful Hannah, we know what the adversary comes to do!! Instead of Hannah being shown compassion for what she was going through.. she was provoked.. but I always wondered why it didn’t say Peninnah provoked her... 🤔💭.. well here’s why! What does the adversary comes to do according to John 10:10? And how should you respond according to 1 Peter 5:8? Let’s see if our Sister Hannah took heed to scripture or on her own accord!
🎬Up Next Act 2: Hannah-A Choice to Choose.. ⚖️
ALL ESTEEM TO THE MOST HIGH 💕
I love this