INTRODUCTION: This story occurs at the latter years of the time of the judges. Every man is doing that which is right in his own eyes. But just as in the days of Noah, there are some exceptions. Through one man (Elkanah) who remains faithful and one woman (Hannah) who cries out to God with all her heart, God brings a man into the world who will begin to bring Israel back to God. That man is Samuel.

1. THE AFFLICTION OF HANNAH (1 Samuel 1:1-8 [1] Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: [2] And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. [3] And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. [4] And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: [5] But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. [6] And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. [7] And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. [8] Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
   See All...)
1. Her Husband: Elkanah (1 Samuel 1:1-3 [1] Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: [2] And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. [3] And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
   See All...)
1. His heritage (1 Samuel 1:1Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
   See All...)
1. His home
1. A man of Ramathaim-zophim
2. A man of Mount Ephraim
2. His people
1. The son of Jeroham
2. An Ephrathite
2. His two wives (1 Samuel 1:2And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
   See All...; allowed under the law – Deuteronomy 21:15If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:
   See All...; but not God’s original plan – Matthew 19:4-5 [4] And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, [5] And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
   See All...)
1. Peninnah
2. Hannah
3. His devotion to God (1 Samuel 1:3And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
   See All...)
1. Went yearly (Luke 2:41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
   See All...)
2. To Shiloh (Joshua 18:1And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.
   See All...)
2. Her Womb (1 Samuel 1:4-5 [4] And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: [5] But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
   See All...)
1. The blessings of Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:4And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
   See All...)
1. Peninnah had sons and daughters.
2. When it came time to make a sacrifice, Elkanah gave portions to her sons and daughters.
2. The barrenness of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:5But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
   See All...)
1. The support of her husband (1 Samuel 1:5But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
   See All...a)
1. Elkanah gave Hannah a “worthy” portion at the time of sacrifice.
2. Elkanah loved Hannah.
2. The shutting of her womb (1 Samuel 1:5But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
   See All...b)
3. Her Adversary (1 Samuel 1:6-7 [6] And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. [7] And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
   See All...; see 1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
   See All...)
1. Provoked her because she had no children (1 Samuel 1:6And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
   See All...)
1. The extent of her provoking – “her adversary also provoked her sore.”
2. The purpose of her provoking – “for to make her fret”
3. The source of her provoking – “because the LORD had shut up her womb”
2. Provoked her continually (1 Samuel 1:7And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
   See All...)
1. The time of provoking – “year by year”
2. The place of provoking – “the house of the LORD”
3. The enemy responsible for provoking – “she provoked her.”
1. Hannah’s adversary is a “she” and is certainly Peninnah (cp. Genesis 16:4And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
   See All...).
2. The “he” at the beginning of the verse is likely a reference back to Elkanah and his faithfulness to yearly sacrifices.
4. The effect of provoking – “therefore she wept, and did not eat.”
4. Her Sorrow (1 Samuel 1:8Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
   See All...)
1. Elkanah attempts to comfort Hannah.
2. He asks her four questions. The number four is often connected to stability. Elkanah is attempting to stabilize his wife with these questions.
1. Why weepest thou?
2. Why eatest thou not?
3. Why is thy heart grieved?
4. Am not I better to thee than ten sons?
2. THE PRAYER OF HANNAH (1 Samuel 1:9-18 [9] 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. [10] And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. [11] And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. [12] And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. [13] Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. [14] And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. [15] And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. [16] Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. [17] Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. [18] And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
   See All...)
1. Her Bitterness of Soul (1 Samuel 1:9-10 [9] 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. [10] And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
   See All...; Job 7:11Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
   See All...)
1. She rose up and went to the temple of the Lord (1 Samuel 1:9So 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.
   See All...).
2. She prayed unto the Lord (1 Samuel 1:10And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
   See All...).
1. She was in bitterness of soul.
2. She wept sore.
2. Her Vow to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:11And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
   See All...)
1. Her condition: a man child
2. Her promise
1. To give him to the Lord
2. To let no razor touch his head (Judges 13:5For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.
   See All...; Numbers 6:2Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD:
   See All..., 5)
3. Her False Accusation by Eli (1 Samuel 1:12-16 [12] And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. [13] Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. [14] And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. [15] And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. [16] Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
   See All...)
1. Eli’s lack of spiritual discernment (1 Samuel 1:12-14 [12] And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. [13] Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. [14] And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
   See All...)
1. Eli judged based on appearance (1 Samuel 1:12-13 [12] And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. [13] Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
   See All...).
1. He marked her mouth (1 Samuel 1:12And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.
   See All...).
2. She spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard (1 Samuel 1:13Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
   See All...).
2. Eli trusted his judgment with no evidence (1 Samuel 1:14And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
   See All...) – He accused her of drunkenness with no concrete evidence.
2. Hannah’s defense of her conduct (1 Samuel 1:15-16 [15] And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. [16] Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
   See All...)
1. She tells of her sorrow (1 Samuel 1:15-16 [15] And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. [16] Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
   See All...).
1. “I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit” (1 Samuel 1:15And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
   See All...).
2. “Out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto” (1 Samuel 1:16Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
   See All...).
2. She clears her testimony (1 Samuel 1:15-16 [15] And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. [16] Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
   See All...).
1. “I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink” (1 Samuel 1:15And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
   See All...).
2. “Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial” (1 Samuel 1:16Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
   See All...).
4. Her Request Granted (1 Samuel 1:17-18 [17] Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. [18] And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
   See All...; 1 John 5:14-15 [14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: [15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
   See All...)
1. Eli blesses Hannah (1 Samuel 1:17Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
   See All...).
2. Hannah is comforted (1 Samuel 1:18And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
   See All...).
3. THE BIRTH OF SAMUEL (1 Samuel 1:19-23 [19] And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. [20] Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. [21] And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. [22] But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever. [23] And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.
   See All...)
1. The Child Given (1 Samuel 1:19-20 [19] And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. [20] Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
   See All...)
1. The Lord remembered Hannah (1 Samuel 1:19And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 1:11And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
   See All...; Genesis 8:1And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;
   See All...).
2. The child was named Samuel (1 Samuel 1:20Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
   See All...) meaning asked of God.
2. The Child Weaned (1 Samuel 1:21-23 [21] And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. [22] But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever. [23] And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.
   See All...)
1. Hannah’s request (1 Samuel 1:21-22 [21] And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. [22] But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.
   See All...)
2. Elkanah’s permission (1 Samuel 1:23And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.
   See All...)
3. The Lord’s Word (1 Samuel 1:23And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.
   See All...; 2 Samuel 7:25And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.
   See All...)
4. THE GIVING OF SAMUEL (1 Samuel 1:24-28 [24] And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young. [25] And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. [26] And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. [27] For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: [28] Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
   See All...)
1. Brought to the House of the Lord (1 Samuel 1:24And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
   See All...)
2. Brought to the Priest of the Lord (1 Samuel 1:25-27 [25] And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. [26] And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. [27] For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
   See All...)
3. Given to the Service of the Lord (1 Samuel 1:28Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
   See All...)

CONCLUSION: This chapter gives wonderful examples of both faithfulness (Elkanah) and faith (Hannah). They had the excuse that they lived in a wicked age but did not use it. We can live the same way today if we will trust in the Lord.