Hannah presenting Samuel to Eli the priest, by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout (ca. 1665) Source: Public Domain, Wikipedia Commons.

It was a time when her worth, her
value was wrapped up in the fruit
of her womb. No offspring?
No value, no favor by God

She wept, scorned by Peninnah,
by society… year after
lonely, long year. (Has God
really forgotten her?)

Elkanah loves Hannah,
Well meaning but cannot
understand her pain (no,
he is not equal to ten sons)

In deep distress she pours
her heart to God, in the
temple, in front of Eli
(whose sons are scoundrels)

Instead of a woman who believes,
Eli sees a woman drunk, revealing
more about Eli and his sons, than her
(What has the priesthood come to?)

She explains she is praying
He says go in peace, may God
grant her petition.
And God remembers Hannah.

In due time, a son is born
His name is Samuel
She keeps her promise
She brings him back

To the temple of Eli
And his scoundrel sons
To a place of corruption
And that is faith

What becomes of Samuel
this gift, this promise?

Samuel:
judge
priest
prophet
ordains David as king
child of ordinary people
(Hannah and Elkanah)
faithful and obedient
servant of God

***

The sermon on Sunday is this story, based on 1 Samuel, in a series called “Risky Faith”. “It was in ordinary times during ordinary circumstances, that Hannah stepped out in risky faith.”

Question to ponder: What kinds of steps can I take, in my ordinary life, in these ordinary times?

***

Sharing with:
Laura at The Wellspring, Michelle at Hear it/Use it, L.L. Barkat at Seedlings in Stone, Jen at Finding Heaven and Jennifer at Getting Down with Jesus