The Sword of the LORD

The story of the prophet Samuel's mother, Hannah, is one which reveals much about Christ and the true nature of grace.   The story begins in the first chapters of 1 Samuel.   There we are introduced to Elkanah and his two wives Hannah (whose name means "grace") and Peninnah (whose name means "jewel," or "precious stone").   Peninnah had several children with her husband, but Hannah had none.   As important as child-bearing was in those days, this created an adversarial atmosphere between the two wives.   Hannah felt badly that she could not have children of her own and share that special bond with her husband, and Peninnah used the situation to provoke Hannah and make her feel even worse.     During this time, the tabernacle of God was in a place called Shiloh, and Elkanah and his family would go up there to worship and offer sacrifices to God yearly.  While they were there, Hannah was in bitterness of spirit over her circumstance, and she wep...

The story of Samuel the prophet is an amazing one, and it holds many treasures of wisdom that we can learn from today.   This man was the direct product of his mother's faith, and of God's promise.   His mother, Hannah, was barren and prayed to God for a son.   In exchange for this son, Hannah vowed to "lend" him in service to the Lord for all of his life.   In fulfillment of this vow, she presented Samuel to Eli the priest to be taught and raised in the tabernacle at Shiloh right after he was weaned.   According to Jewish tradition, this may have been between the ages of 18 months and 5 years.     Besides being lent to the Lord for life, scripture says that Samuel "ministered unto the Lord before Eli," and that he was in "favor with the Lord, and also with men" (1 Samuel 3:1 and 2:26).   These same three qualities should be found in every true child of God:     ·          First, they sho...

       1  We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou      didst in their days, in the times of old. 2  How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. 3  For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. 4  Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. 5  Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. 6  For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. 7  But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. 8  In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.  (Psalm 44:1-8).   Psalm 4...