1 Samuel 1:10

New International Version (NIV)

In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.

For Meditation

Dinner seemed normal, but very wicked underneath. Hannah had prepared one of her best, and so the meal had been good; or so she thought. Peninnah read contentment all over Elkanah’s face, and she hated it.

“Not again tonight” she mused. “That barren woman is not going to win the bed over me again tonight.” So she turned to Elkanah and smiled. “A lovely evening isn’t it”, she said. “Maybe we could step out into the cool breeze for a stroll before it gets too dark. It would give Hannah time to begin preparing for tomorrow’s meal. Let’s hope it would be less spicy and a little tastier.”

“I loved it”, Elkanah said. “Thank you, Hannah. That was an excellent meal.”

“Isn’t God good, dear husband”, Peninnah said. “The Almighty has blessed us with a beautiful family. Look at our children. Your sons are strong and handsome. And, aren’t my daughters simply adorable? Can Israel have better princesses? How many people have it that way”, she said with a wink at Hannah. She burst into laughter with her children, as Hannah jumped up and dashed for the house of God. “In deep anguish Hannah prayed … weeping bitterly (10).

1. How much mockery can a woman take from her rival in marriage? How much provocation could Hannah endure from Peninnah before snapping (1 Sam. 1:6)?
2. Hannah had been called names and frowned upon as a woman under curse by outsiders; and she had done well under it. But those devilish insults that Peninnah packaged in her own house to provoke and irritate her? That’s something else.
3. How long could she go on weeping and going hungry at Peninnah’s mockery (7)? What had she done to deserve such cruelty?
4. “Where are you Lord, and what have I done to deserve all this … Why can’t I have children like every other woman”, Hannah may have quizzed God many times.
5. Have you been there before? Are you there now? Is it your husband who is comparing you to other women? Is it your friends, co-workers, or neighbors who are gossiping about your singlehood, family situation, or affliction? What is it that has anguished your soul?

I pray you don’t go down to the level of your mockers, but rather you will turn to the throne of grace and pour your heart before the Lord as Hannah did. His faithful promise of mercy and grace to help in your time of sorrow, grief, and anguish still stands (Heb. 4:16). Hannah received it and carried Samuel in her hands (20).

So: May the Lord hear the cry of your anguished soul; and may heaven pour its dew on you to comfort and refresh you until the day dawns, and the Son of God breaks into your situation with your heart’s desire in His gracious hands.

An anguished or grieving heart, the Lord would never fail to feel between its sobs and tears that drench His altar.

Shalom