1 Samuel 1
“Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD. And she made this vow: “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the LORD, his hair will never be cut. ”
Observation-What does it say?
Hannah was in deep anguish because she was unable to have any children. She was being ridiculed and taunted by her rival, Peninnah-(her husband's other wife), who had children. Peninnah was relentless with her taunts against Hannah. Hannah would be reduced to tears and wouldn't even eat because of the constant ridicule she was experiencing. So Hannah took her pains and struggles to the Lord in prayer.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Hannah was a woman in deep anguish. Instead of taking her frustrations out on her rival, Peninnah,-(which I know many of us would want to do in her situation), or even taking out her frustrations with God because of the circumstance she is in, Hannah turns to God in prayer. Not only does she do that, but she also vows that if God blesses her with a son, she will give him back to God! She will dedicate her son to God (by not cutting his hair). And throughout her son's lifetime, he will belong to God.Hannah was a woman of faith. When her life seemed to be hopeless, she still had hope in God. She turned to God whole heartedly in prayer. When God came through for her by blessing her with a son, she was obedient to God, by giving her son back to Him. She fully trusted God by giving her one and only son back to Him, not even knowing if she would be able to have anymore kids. She had faith knowing her son was in good hands, when he is in the Lord's hands. Through it all, Hannah remained faithful to the Lord, and the Lord remained faithful to her.
Life Application
Instead of being bitter and spiteful because of the hand of cards Hannah was dealt with in life, she showed total submission to God and His ways. Instead of taking matters into her own hands when trying to negate the problem, she left it in God's hands.