How Well Do You Know Your Mother?

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR MOTHER?
1samuel 2:19
“Each year his [Samuel’s] mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.”

Do you know the story of Samuel? His Mom, Hannah, wanted a child so badly that she stayed in prayer, crying day and night (1Samuel 1:7, 8, 10). Around the year 1000 B.C., mid(millennium)way between when God called Abraham, the father of Israel (around 1800 B.C.), and the birth of Jesus (around year 3 A.D.), we find the story of an exceptional woman.

God called Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3)—Samuel (1Samuel 1:3-9)—Jesus (Luke 2:4-7)

Hannah was one of Elkanah’s two wives. One wife, Peninnah, had children. But Hannah had none. Peninnah made Hannah’s life miserable with daily taunts (1Samuel 1:6). How cruel for someone to be making fun of another—who, through no fault of her own, wasn’t able to have children! Have you ever made fun of someone when comparing them to you? How do you think that makes Jesus feel?

Let’s look closer into Hannah’s sorrow. Elkanah loved Hannah more than Peninnah, and showed it plainly. He gave double portions of food to Hannah, even though Peninnah got enough food for herself, her sons, and daughters (1Samuel 1:4-5). How do you think Hannah dealt with her husband’s sympathy because she couldn’t give him one child?

He asked her point-blank one day, “What’s so wrong, Hannah, that you’re always crying, and not eating? Am I not more important than a whole bunch of kids? (1Samuel 1:8). Finally, Hannah had enough.

Check out what The Message translation of the Bible says in 1Samuel 1:9-11: “So Hannah ate. Then she pulled herself together, slipped away quietly, and entered the sanctuary. The priest Eli was on duty at the entrance to God’s Temple in the customary seat. Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably.

"Then she made a vow: ‘Oh God-of-the-Angel-Armies, if You’ll take a good, hard look at my pain,

"If You’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me

"By giving me a son, I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to You.

"I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.’”

Before the end of that year, Hannah gave birth to a son (1Samuel 1:20).

Take Home Nugget

Hannah named her son, Samuel. It means, “I asked God for him.”

Did your Mom want you so badly that she prayed for you? Why don’t you ask her? Why don’t you make your Mom’s day and ask her stuff you don’t know about her life?

Our Father’s love is plain in the way women love others—even when they’re not her children.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

J.D. Griffith

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