When we are in desperate need for an answer of our prayer from God, what can we do? Let’s look at Hannah’s prayer. “So Hannah arose and went to the tabernacle of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and PRAYED to the LORD and WEPT in anguish (agony).” (1 Sam. 1:9-10) Its’ believed that Hannah had been barren for nineteen years and Elkanah her husband had another wife “…Peninnah who would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the LORD had kept her from having children.” (1 Sam. 1:6)
So, Hannah made up her mind to really get serious about seeking God. “Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place…Hannah was in DEEP ANGUISH, CRYING BITTERLY (grievously) AS SHE PRAYED to the LORD. And she made this vow: “O LORD if you will look upon my sorrow and ANSWER MY PRAYER and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the LORD, his hair will never be cut.” (1 Sam. 1:9-11)
How was this prayer answered? As a boy Samuel received a divine oracle in which the fall of the house of Eli was predicted. “Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.” (1 Sam. 2:22) (1 Samuel 1–3). When he became an adult, Samuel inspired Israel to a great victory over the Philistines at Ebenezer “Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you want to return to the LORD with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the LORD and obey HIM ALONE; then He will rescue you from the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 7:3). When the people demand a national king, God directs Samuel to anoint Saul, a tall man from the tribe of Benjamin. Saul doesn’t turn out so well, and so God has Samuel anoint a young shepherd named David as the future king: not the king Israel needs, but the king they deserve. This was the answer to Hannah’s prayer, imagine what will happen when we pray in deep anguish.
-Bill Stockham