May the mumbling commence!
Today, I take leave from the story of Ruth so that I can address another strong woman of the faith. Today’s reading the in chronological Bible that I am following takes us into the first chapter of 1 Samuel, where we meet Hannah. Hannah is the beloved wife of Elkanah of Ramah. Hannah has not been able to have children, and Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, constantly provoked Hannah. Peninnah had children for Elkanah.
Though we do not know if Peninnah and Hannah were sisters, we know they were rivals for the love of Elkanah. Whether or not they were sisters, their situation reminds me of Rachel and Leah, the wives of Jacob. It must have been a tough and bitter existence for Hannah, even though Elkanah gave her special attention.
While Elkanah’s family was in Shiloh worshipping the Lord, Hannah collapsed into prayer because of her bitterness of soul. She prayed earnestly over and over again these words contained in 1 Samuel 1:11 –
"O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."
The priest Eli was nearby as Hannah prayed. Hannah prayed silently, but her lips were moving as she prayed. Eli mistook her fervent prayer for drunkenness. This mistaken observation reminds me another mistaken observation that occurred on the first Christian Pentecost. The movement of the Spirit of God is mistaken for the movement of other spirits. Read their exchange after Eli’s accusation:
"Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."
Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."
She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." (1 Samuel 1:15-18)
Hannah left Shiloh that year lifted up by the Spirit of the Lord. And God answered her prayers. She and Elkanah conceived Samuel, which means in Hebrew “heard of God.” God heard and gave Hannah the desire of her heart. And Hannah was true to her vow. She weaned Samuel, and then took him to Eli to serve the Lord.
Samuel is a key figure for the transition of Israel from the days of the judges – when Israel had no king – to the birth of the age of the kings of Israel. In a way, Samuel was the last judge and the first prophet in the line of Elijah and Elisha. As we read on in 1 Samuel, we will find the meaning of his name to be quite appropriate.
The last sentence in 1 Samuel 1 is revealing. “And he [Samuel] worshiped there.” Hearing God is an important skill that is developed in worship, in study, and in community. Samuel was accepted into the community of priests represented in the family of Eli. And this little child would end up leading them.
May we lead a life of worship – even when it makes us look foolish in the eyes of others. Oh, to be a fool for the Lord! Prepare our hearts as we see Jerusalem draw closer this season of Lent. May we be witness to the scandal of the cross – the cross that Jesus took to remove our sins.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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