Her Womb Speaks

Scripture(s): Samuel 1:1-8 - Highlight Scripture Samuel 1:8

Now there was a certain man from Ramathaim-zophim from the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives: the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. Now this man would go up from his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD there.  When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters; but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the LORD had closed her womb. Her rival, however, would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. It happened year after year, as often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she would provoke her; so she wept and would not eat. Then Elkanah her husband said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"


Commentary:
The history of Samuel here begins as early as that of Samson did, even before he was born, as afterwards the history of John the Baptist and our blessed Saviour. Some of the scripture-worthies drop out of the clouds, as it were, and their first appearance is in their full growth and lustre. But others are accounted for from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception. What God says of the prophet Jeremiah is true of all: "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee,’’ Jer. 1:5. But some great men were brought into the world with more observation than others, and were more early distinguished from common persons, as Samuel for one. God, in this matter, acts as a free agent. The story of Samson introduces him as a child of promise, Jdg. 13. But the story of Samuel introduces him as a child of prayer. Samson’s birth was foretold by an angel to his mother; Samuel was asked of God by his mother. Both together intimate what wonders are produced by the word and prayer. Samuel’s mother was Hannah, the principal person concerned in the story of this chapter. I. Here is her affliction—she was childless, and this affliction aggravated by her rival’s insolence, but in some measure balanced by her husband’s kindness (v. 1-8). II. The prayer and vow she made to God under this affliction, in which Eli the high priest at first censured her, but afterwards encouraged her (v. 9–18). III. The birth and nursing of Samuel (v. 19–23) IV. The presenting of him to the Lord (v. 24–28).


Reflection:
Hannah had a good husband by the name of Elknah, who provided for her. There was nothing that she had need of. However, she lacked a hidden desire within her heart because it was burried within her womb. She was driven to not participate in a celebration that included food; for she was full of sorrow because she was barren. She did not eat, nor did she drink. It appears that she was not thankful for the blessings that she had received. However, the child that was yet to be born of her womb, was pulling on his purpose within her. She could not let go of the driving force within her to give birth to Samuel the prophet. Nothing else could satisfy her. Only God could fulfill the desire that burned within her to bring forth the son for his purpose, and his glory. The ridicule that she received for being barren, propelled her even more into the hands of her destiny to give birth to promise. Hannah is every woman's example to never let go of the inner propelling towards one's purpose. If a desire is tugging on one's  heart, seek God wholeheartedly. He will reveal himself to those that seek his face.

Strong's Concordance Definition: Samuel 1:8
Husband :376
1) man
a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)
b) husband
c) human being, person (in contrast to God)
d) servant
e) mankind
f) champion
g) great man
2) whosoever
3) each (adjective)

Better: 2896
1) good, pleasant, agreeable
a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses)
b) pleasant (to the higher nature)
c) good, excellent (of its kind)
d) good, rich, valuable in estimation
e) good, appropriate, becoming
f) better (comparative)
g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature)
h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature)
i) good, kind, benign
j) good, right (ethical)

References:

Blue Letter Bible. "Book of 1 Samuel 1 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 5 Apr 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Sa&c=1&t=NASB
 
Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on 1 Samuel 1." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 5 Apr 2010.

http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=4&contentID=872&commInfo=5&topic=1%20Samuel&
ar=1Sa_1_8

Higgins, S. (2010). Her Womb Speaks. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, http://www.higginspublishing.com