1 Samuel 1:13

Now Hannah, she spake in her heart.

Hannah as a worshipper

The strength of Hannah’s moral character is manifested in her temple service. She possessed a force of soul which lifted her above trouble. Many in her circumstances would have hid the tears of their graceful nature in attic solitude; but Hannah goes to the temple to supplicate the aid of Heaven, and where so likely to be obtained as at its Shiloh Porch?

1. Hannah was a tearful worshipper. “Wept sore” (1 Samuel 1:10). The worshippers of modern days scorn the idea of weeping in the sanctuary; they call it “sentimentalism,” an “immoderate display of feeling,” which should be concealed from public gaze.

2. Hannah was a soulful worshipper (1 Samuel 1:11). Trouble had intensified her feelings, and rendered her capable of more fervent volition. Her prayer was a vow which bound to duty and to God. Her soul was in its deepest action, stretching out its hand for blessing

3. Hannah was a silent worshipper. “Spake in her heart” (1 Samuel 1:13). Her prayer was so pungent that it savoured more of emotion than voice. Yes! inside the temple at Shiloh there was a smaller sanctuary, whose floor echoed not to the unhallowed footsteps of Eli’s wicked sons--that temple was Hannah’s heart; Christ was its Ruler Priest.

4. Hannah was a constant, an observed, and a slandered worshipper (verse 12-14). We should be careful in censuring the devotions of others. People are too ready with “enthusiast,” or “zealot.”

5. Hannah was a successful worshipper (verse 17-18). Upon the next festival Hannah remained from the temple on account of domestic duties (1 Samuel 1:22). Women were not obligated to attend any of these feasts, and that Hannah went with her husband before shows their earnest piety. Never remain from the temple unless, like this good mother, duty demands you to. In this chapter we find home life and temple worship in very intimate association. The one greatly influences the other. When the homes of the world are one with the temple in the nature of its sacrifices, and the purity of its life, the great object of redemption will have been accomplished. At length Samuel is born, and Hannah performs her vow (1 Samuel 1:24) And all who come to the Christian temple must come through sacrifice, through the death of Christ. The mother felt that her all was due to God for the child. Wows made in sorrow must not be forgotten in song. What a motto for mothers, “I have lent him to the Lord.” God pays good interest for the loan of young children. Hannah made a good investment both for herself and her son--today she is known not as the wife of Elkanah but as the mother of Samuel. Why? Because she lent him to the Lord

Lessons:

1. Never deride personal affliction. It is from the Lord. (ver 5)

2. Families living at Rama should remember the temple at Shiloh.

3. Children taken to the temple in youth are likely to turn out prophets, as Samuel did.

4. The discord of home may be hushed by a visit to the temple. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

Prayer in the heart

The sufferings of Elizabeth Fry as she drew near her end were sometimes very great, and once she said that if it was to last no one could wish for her life. In her worse pain, however, her faith and hope burned clearly. “Prayer is always in my heart, if I may say so, it is my life,” was among her sayings. (The Quiver.)