Bible Passage: 1 Sam 1:27-28

1. Hannah demonstrates submission and selflessness in her prayer before God (1:11)
2. Hannah and Elkanah provided an amazing model in the grace of parenting at home
3. Hannah was a woman of prayer and worship (1:1:10-12a; 1:27-28; 2:1-10)
4. Elkana and Hannah show teamwork in bringing up Samuel for God

a. Hannah became purposeful in raising Samuel (1:21)
b. Hannah dreamed about Samuel to be living in the presence of the LORD (1:22)—“he will live there always”
c. Hannah raises Samuel with fear of God and priority for God
d. Samuel had a personal encounter with God as a young boy (3:7-10)—but the foundation was laid at home
e. Observations:

i. As a Nazirite and judge, Samuel would serve the LORD and nation Israel, and usher a new era in Jewish history with the anointing of Saul and David
ii. A great leader and powerful man of God was conceived, born, and raised in a godly family
iii. Family and parents provide environment for the rise of godly leaders

5. Hannah gives up the right to have Samuel with her, but happily gives him back to the LORD (1:24-28)

a. he acknowledges God as the source of her blessing (1:27 I prayed for this boy, and the Lord has given me the request that I asked of him)
b. She realizes the healthiest future for her son is in the presence of God (1:28)—"so, now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD”
c. She never treats releasing her son to the LORD as a loss, but she rejoices greatly—Hannah burst forth into an amazing worship

6. Hannah’s son, Samuel, turned out to be one of the greatest prophets and judges of nation Israel

Principles

1. Parents are the heritage builders (Heritage of faith is the most desirable)
2. The most important need of our children is God and the safest environment for them is to be around God
3. Parents are only stewards of children and are never owners of them
4. Parents succeed when they release their children to God and when their children develop personal relationship with God
5. Motherhood is understood with God and His mission
6. With motherhood, a woman obeys God and does what God made her to do, to team up with her husband to multiply, fill, and subdue the earth (Motherhood fulfills primarily God’s purpose)

Elkanah and Hannah prefigure Joseph and Mary who surrogated Jesus, the Savior

1. Matt 1:20-21 Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 1:21 She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins”
2. Samuel served as the judge of Israel, but this Son, Jesus, serves as the redeemer of the human race
3. Mary Jesus’ mother is a model for “missional motherhood” who said to God, “I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38)

Takeaway:

View your motherhood from the mission of God and fulfill God’s plan for your life