1 Samuel 1:6

New International Version

Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.

For Meditation

Being childless is grievous, especially in a polygamous marriage. Peninnah, the other wife of Elkanah, provoked Hannah because God had closed her womb (1 Samuel 1:6-7). Naturally, she grieved over her situation, but she did not retaliate. Instead, she cried to God Almighty, the giver of life.

God answered her prayer and gave her a son, and she named him Samuel—heard by God. Hannah sought the child to give back to the Lord for His people’s return to Him. With pure intentions, she prayed for a son and, faithful to her promise, dedicated him to the Lord. Hannah did right in the face of provocation and received the Lord’s blessing.

When provoked, there are three ways we can react. We can slug it out with the offender and make things worse, blame somebody and strain a relationship, or turn to God for the strength to endure. Hannah’s response, a soulful prayer to the Lord, was a shining example of the best way to handle provocation. Her non-retaliatory attitude and reliance on prayer is a lesson in wisdom under provocation.

So, how do you deal with provocation? How do you respond to deliberate pushing and public mocking? Can you hold your own when your children are looking on, and your adversary rains insults on you, daring you to an open confrontation?

Let me share a modern-day example that illustrates this. There is this young man who signed for his paycheck on payday. His supervisor sneered at the signature and threw the man’s check on the floor, attracting everyone’s attention. Instead of reacting, the young man calmly picked up the check and left without a word. A coworker chased and asked why he allowed himself to be humiliated that way. With a smile, the young man showed his coworker the check and asked if the amount had changed because of the supervisor’s actions. He walked away, leaving his coworker astonished. This young man’s inspiring courage and unwavering faith shined through, even in humiliation.

Asked how he did it, he tells the stories of three Bible characters as his inspiration and strength when provoked—Moses, David, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Through their actions and faith, these figures provide potent examples of responding to provocation with grace and patience.

Moses lost it with a complaining Israel at Kadesh. He missed the privilege of leading the people into the Promised Land (Numbers 20:2-12). David, however, held his own against Shimei’s provocation, looking to God, who restored him to his throne (2 Samuel 16:5-12). Finally, our Savior endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

These heroes of faith endured extreme provocation and won the victory over the chief instigator of provocation, the devil. By imitating their example, you, too, can overcome your challenges and taste the joy He gives when we endure and resist the devil’s temptations.