1 Samuel 1:9-13 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk… 1 Samuel 1:9-13. (SHILOH.) Effectual prayer. Prayer is converse with God. The general principles which are necessary that it may be acceptable and effectual were exemplified by Hannah in the prayer which she offered at the porch of the tabernacle in Shiloh, whilst other and more special principles were contained therein. She was possessed of great intelligence, sensibility, meekness, and spirituality of mind, and embodied the noblest spiritual element existing amongst her people, even as she was a type of their history (ever rising out of weakness and distress through humiliation, faith, and prayer, into strength, and joy, and triumph). Consider her prayer as - I. BORN OF DEEP SORROW. "She was in bitterness of soul, and wept sore "(ver. 10). Seemingly forgotten of God, an object of reproach and scorn, without indulging feeling's of resentment, unable to tell her trouble to any one else, she betook herself to him who is "a Refuge for the oppressed in times of trouble." Prayer is the best resource at such times; and grief of heart, together with the loneliness which it usually causes, often lead to "the pouring out of the soul before the Lord." What a beneficent power is sorrow in a world like this! And how blessed are the fruits which, through Divine grace, it produces! (Psalm 55:22; Hosea 2:15; 1 Peter 5:7). II. UTTERED ONLY IN THE HEART (ver. 13). The first recorded instance of silent or mental prayer. The ordinary worshippers at the tabernacle prayed with audible words, and significant gestures; and in the East to this day the people pray in the same manner, and have little or no idea of praying only in the mind. They are more demonstrative than ourselves. "Mental prayer is a lifting up of the mind to God in actual or virtual supplication for what we desire." It is - 1. Frequently a necessity; inasmuch as it would not be always proper to express in the presence of others the desires of the heart. 2. Presumptively sincere; inasmuch as it consists of direct intercourse with the Invisible and Omniscient One, and cannot spring from a desire to be seen or heard of men. 3. Highly beneficial; inasmuch as it serves to strengthen the spirit of prayer, and is heard of God (Nehemiah 2:4). Even when it does not shape itself in words within the mind, but consists of aspirations and "groanings which cannot be uttered," "he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the spirit" therein (Romans 8:27). III. EXPRESSIVE OF FERVENT DESIRE. Desire is the soul of prayer. It arises from, and is proportionate to, the sense of need. Its intensity is not always manifested by audible words; for sometimes its strength is dispersed and exhausted thereby; whereas silence condenses and increases it. "Deepest waters stillest flow." Our desires cannot be too fervent, or our requests too importunate, provided they be for things which are according to the will of God (Romans 12:12; 1 John 5:14, 15). "Fervent love And lively hope with violence assail The kingdom of the heavens, and overcome The will of the Most High; not in such sort As man prevails o'er man; but conquers it Because 'tis willing to be conquer'd; still, Though conquer'd by its mercy conquering." Dante, 'Div. Com.,' Par. 20. IV. EXHIBITING GENUINE FAITH. "O Lord of hosts,"etc. (ver. 11). Like Abraham, she "believed in the Lord" (Genesis 15:6); trusted, leant on him, as a child rests on the bosom of a parent. She had exalted conceptions of his character; believed in (1) his living personality, supreme dominion, power, goodness, faithfulness (Hebrews 11:6); relied on (2) his promises, summed up in the assurance, "I will be your God" (Exodus 6:7; Leviticus 26:12); and (3) although she had no express promise of the particular blessing which she desired, yet, inwardly taught, she applied the general promise to herself, and had "confidence respecting things hoped for" (Hebrews 11:1). When express promises are wanting, it behoves us to seek particular blessings with the utmost dependence and submission; but, so far from being prohibited from seeking them, we are encouraged to do so by the unlimited range of such directions as this: "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray," etc. (Mark 11:24). V. DISTINGUISHED BY ENTIRE SELF-SURRENDER. Once and again she called herself the "handmaid" of the Lord, as belonging to him, and wholly devoted to his service. Her will she freely offered up in sacrifice to his, and made a fresh surrender of herself in her solemn engagement to render back to him the gift he might bestow. She sought not her own gratification, but his glory and the welfare of his people. "The vow of the Nazarite embodied the yearning of the better part of the nation for a moral and religious reformation, as the only hope of Israel. It symbolised Israel's perfect calling of voluntary self-surrender to God" (Edersheim). When we seek not our own, but make it subservient to higher and larger good, we place ourselves in a line with the Divine purposes, and may entertain sure and steadfast hope of success. VI. OFFERED WITH STEADFAST PERSEVERANCE. "She continued praying before the Lord" (ver. 12). It was not a momentary ebullition of feeling, but the fixed direction of her whole soul (Genesis 32:26; Luke 11:8; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18). VII. FOLLOWED BY AN ABUNDANT BLESSING. The benediction of the high priest (ver. 17) was to her an oracle of God, to be in due time fulfilled; whilst the immediate effect on her heart was peace and gladness, and "she went away, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad." "Prayer is heart's ease to the gracious soul." - D. "Lord, what a change within us one short hour, Spent in thy presence, will prevail to make; What heavy burdens from our bosoms take; What parched grounds refresh as with a shower!" (Trench) Parallel Verses KJV: So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. |
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