1.

In 1 Samuel 1:1-8 the expression “the Lord had closed her womb” is repeated twice. What does this suggest about the solution to similar problems which God’s people may encounter? 

** The solution to man’s troubles is for us to come to the Lord for His help. Humanistic ways will never solve the problems. Rather they will only complicate the problems. For those who have faith in the Lord, it can be seen that God is there behind every trouble that comes our way. God is good and perfect. Every good and perfect gift is from God. Thus when God sends us one trouble or another, we admit that it is in fact a stepping stone for greater blessings to come, so that we have this to say: “Every trouble is God’s blessing in disguise.” 

In fact this is the key to not falling into the devil’s temptations. 

2.

In vs. 9-18 the title “your servant” is repeated four times. What does this tell us about Hannah? Why is this attitude important in not falling into the devil’s schemes?

** Hannah admitted that she is not worthy. She did not assume that God should do this or should do that. Rather she recognized God as God and herself as an undeserving creature. She was merely a servant girl. A servant has no right to command his master to do this or to do that. A servant knows that everything from the master comes to him as a favor. In her case, she did not assume that God should give her a son or two. Rather, she humbly asked God for a son, for in her mind every little blessing that comes from the Lord is a gift from God that must be used for God’s glory.

** It helps us to remain thankful to the Lord and not sin against him by complaining to him and then never coming back to him because of doubt of his love. When we have this attitude we can come back to him asking for His mercy with even a thankful mind. 

3.

Please consider the way Hannah prayed to the Lord. What can we learn about prayer from the following descriptions concerning Hannah’s prayer?

Hannah stood up. (9)

In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. (10)

She made a “vow”. (11)

O Lord Almighty (11)

Hannah was praying in her heart. (12)

I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. (15)

Her face was no longer downcast. (18)

** She could have made a scene even before the Lord. But she exercised self control. She then walked away from the presence of her enemy/rival (Peninnah), and took refuge in the Lord.

** It is always a healthy and even a necessary thing for us to cry a lot in the seat of prayer. She did this because she knew that Penninah also had her own load of challenges. She also knew that brawling with her rival would only worsen the problem. 

** Perhaps she repented her wrong motive in asking for a son. It is not unlikely that she sinned by secretly hating her rival, or by desiring to take revenge against her by wanting to have more children than her rival had. She then made a vow to God, making the motive for her request for this blessing very clear before God. 

** She believed that the Lord God can do anything. She believed that nothing is impossible with the Lord. 

** God sees our heart. Our words may not be accurate in expressing our wishes to the Lord. But God sees our heart. 

** This shows the real depth of her prayer. Heart exists at the innermost sanctum of a person. But soul is the essence of one’s heart. She then gave her whole life itself in offering her prayer to God. This shows then that she cast “all” troubles that existed even at the deepest level of her inner world [on the Lord]. Psalm 55:2, 1Pe 5:7.

** She found God’s healing. She was touched by God’s healing touch. God is the God of the living. God is so alive that when we pour out our soul to Him, He gracefully heals our soul. Then one’s bodily secretions even become normalized. 

4.

V. 19 states that it was because “the Lord remembered her” that Hannah became pregnant. What does this teach us about the power of prayer? (11,20) 

** God answers prayer by making one’s life full, thus fulfilling the original purpose of his creation as it is expressed in Genesis 1:26-28.

5.

What shows in vs. 21-23 that Hannah sincerely cherished her son Samuel? Yet, why did she dedicate her son to the Lord? What can we learn from Hannah about the way to bear the blessing(s) from God? 

** The word ‘weaned’ is repeated again and again. She also wanted to nurse (perhaps by breastfeeding), watching her baby in her arms, holding him close to her bosom,  praying ever so dearly to the Lord for the baby! 

** It is to be filled with thanks and offer the blessing back to God, for God to fully bless and use it for His glory. The point is that God is the best person to take care of the blessings for his children. In fact God himself is the best blessing of all. 

6.

In 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Hannah offered a prayer of thanks to the Lord. What wisdom does her prayer teach us about the way to handle such challenges of life as conflicts with visible people or troubles such as lack of fruit or poverty? (1-2, 6-8, 9a) 

** Overall her prayer teaches us that trials are tests of faith from God, so in time of trouble, we should always humble ourselves and give thanks to God, never doubting God’s love for us. Then in prayer we must approach God with all kinds of prayers and supplications. Then we can personally experience that God is truly a good shepherd who knows his children and leads his children to fulfill his desire to bless all peoples on earth in and through those who put trust in His goodness.

7.

After dedicating Samuel to the Lord how did Hannah continue to pray for him? (1Sa 2:19) How did the Lord reward her for her sacrifice? (2:21)

** She kept praying for her son. The linen ephod she made yearly for little Samuel shows symbolically how every mother must pray and serve her children. 

The end.