Day4
Week 1
1 Samuel
“Thus it was yearly, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her. So Hannah wept and did not eat. Then said Elkanah her husband to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? And why do you not eat? Why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?””
1 Samuel 1:7-8 MEV
Cross references
Psalm 102:4;
Isaiah 54:6;
Provoked
This story is filled with jealousy, strife, contention, bitterness and the like.
Have you ever been provoked? Kicked when you are down? Bullied?
It would be easy to pick out Pininnah as the villain in this story, but take a closer look.
Pininnah was taken in marriage to a man who did not love her. What’s worse is that he, Elkanah also married a woman who he did love and treat much better than Peninnah. She bore him many children and took care of them. No matter what she did, it was never enough to earn Elkanah’s love.
It would be very hard not to let jealousy set in.
Elkanah chose to blend in with the culture of the times and take two wives.
Have you ever made a decision based on worldly culture rather than God’s standards?
How did it play out?
Elkanah could not understand the emotional pain and humiliation that Hannah felt. He was not childless. He had many children and an heir to carry on his name. He was a man and did not bare the public shame of a woman’s barrenness.
He only saw his own perspective. He did all he knew to make her happy, but it only made things worse.
Have you ever tried to fix a bad choice only to make matters worse?
Action Step:
Where do you go for help when you have made a bad choice?
Financial, relationships, children, work?
Ask yourself if there is any situation right now that you need to ask for help, repent and allow Holy Spirit to guide you through.
Listen and obey quickly.
Comments