Lesson 71 - Junior

Memory Verse

Notes

Always a Remnant

In the days of the judges, before Israel had a king, lived a devout couple named Hannah and Elkanah. To show their love for the Lord they obeyed His command to go yearly to the Tabernacle to worship and partake of the religious feasts. The spiritual condition of the Israelites was at a low ebb at this time, but we notice that God has always had a faithful few who would serve Him, even in the darkest periods of church history.

Hannah wanted a baby boy, but year passed year and still she had not a child to love and care for. This made her very sad. It was considered a special honour to be the mother of a son.

Hannah's Vow

As time went by her grief became greater, and one day while she was at the feast at Shiloh, she told God about her sorrows. She was so unhappy she could not eat. She knew God loved her and would help her when no one else could make her happy. She did not have to speak aloud as she prayed to the Lord, because He could see the prayer of her heart. Sometimes we, too, pray so earnestly that we do not have words to express our feeling. But God sees the prayers and consecrations we make with "groanings, which cannot be uttered." The Spirit of God helps us in those prayers, and we get an answer.

As Hannah prayed she told the Lord how unhappy she was because she had no children. She promised if God would only give her a man-child, she would give him back to the Lord all the days of his life, and not a razor should come upon his head. Letting the hair grow was a part of the vows of the Nazarites who set themselves apart for special service to God. This vow might be for a week, a month, or a lifetime.

When Eli, the high priest, saw Hannah's lips move but could hear no sound, he thought she had become drunken. She assured him that her grief had caused her to pray so deeply that only her lips had moved, but she did not tell him what her prayer had been. Eli realised he had misjudged her, and he hastened to comfort her. He prayed, too, that God would answer her prayer and bless her with rich blessings.

Happy through Faith

Hannah had faith that God had heard her prayer and that He would give her what she desired. She was just as sure as though she already had the child, because the Scripture states that she did eat, "and her countenance was no more sad." Her faith had made her happy.

Time for Devotion

The following morning when Hannah and her husband were ready to return home they first took time to worship God. We should never be in such a hurry to go about our business that we cannot take time to thank God for His blessings and ask His guidance through the day; and we should look into His Word to see what His will is for us. Perhaps He has a special blessing or promise for us on a certain day, and we miss it by neglecting to read the Bible. To know the will of God is more important to us than any other part of our life. If we neglect God's Word, we lose our defence against the enemy of our soul.

Hannah Remembers

Hannah had made her consecrations to God, and had believed He would answer her prayer; and in due time Samuel was born to reward her faith. She did not forget the vow she had made to give him back to the Lord to serve in the Temple all the days of his life. She loved her baby very much, and it would have been easy for her to say that God had given her the child to make her happy and perhaps He would not expect her to take him to the house of God to remain always. She remembered her promise to the Lord; and when Samuel was old enough to be separated from his mother, she took him to Eli, the high priest, to perform what services he could. Samuel was her precious gift to the Lord.

Sacrifice Rewarded

God honoured Hannah's sacrifice and gave her three more sons and two daughters to gladden her home. God does reward the sacrifices His children make, and has promised much to those who seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Hannah did not forget her duty as a mother to Samuel, but went up from year to year to Shiloh with a little coat she had made for him.

A Child Shall Lead Them

Samuel served faithfully in the House of God from the time he was a small child. Some people believe children should grow up before they are taught anything about religion. They think children cannot understand the things of God. But the simple, honest hearts of children often grasp the holy truths sooner than the corrupted, biased minds of the adults. We see many children who love Jesus from the time they can talk, and some are truly saved when they are but four or five years old. By giving their hearts to Jesus when they are very young they miss the trouble and sorrow that sin brings.

A Great Man of God

We learn that Samuel grew up to be a wonderful man of God. In addition to being a priest in the Tabernacle, he was the last of the judges who headed the civil government of Israel. Think how happy Hannah must have been to see her son rise to such spiritual and political heights! Thus was her consecration to God rewarded by the godly life of her first-born.

Questions

1. Where did Hannah and Elkanah go each year? Why?

2. Why was Hannah unhappy?

3. Whom did Hannah tell about her grief?

4. What did Eli do when he realised Hannah's grief?

5. Did Hannah believe God right away? How do we know?

6. What did Hannah promise to do if she had a man-child?

7. Did she keep her promise?

8. What was her reward?