RPG Adults
THE JOY AND DUTY THAT ATTEND PRAYER
MONDAY, MARCH 13
1 Samuel 1:19-28
Ecclesiastes 5:1-6
“When thou vowest a vow
unto God, defer not to pay it…”
THE JOY AND DUTY THAT ATTEND PRAYER
The first chapter of 1 Samuel presents to us a picture of a family that is committed to the worship and service of God despite its challenges. The role of Elkanah, the head of the family, is seen in each scene. Leading the family to worship at Shiloh, intervening to speak to Hannah when she was sorely vexed, and again in this section, supporting and seconding Hannah in her desire to fulfil her vow in consecrating their son Samuel.
“…she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD” (1 Sam 1:20). Hannah, having been true and earnest in her prayers at her time of distress, did not forget the LORD on the day of her visitation. This is clear in her deliberateness after the birth of her son. The name she gave to him reminded her of God’s grace at her time of distress. Considering that she sought leave of her husband to stay behind as the family went to worship, we can assume that Elkanah was consenting to the name given to the child by Hannah. The request she made of her husband at the time of worship was deliberately done with the aim of fulfilling her vow. Many would earnestly seek the Lord when pressed and be dedicated to His house and work only until their need is met and their burden lifted. When the burden is gone, and the need satisfied, they would forget and forsake God, His Word, and His house. To such, Solomon warns that it is better to not vow than to vow and not fulfil it (Eccles 5:4-6).
“And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her…” (1 Sam 1:24). The vow must be fulfilled, and Hannah did so with the joy and cheerful generosity of a grateful servant as well as with the deliberateness and carefulness of a tender and loving mother. Her joy and cheerfulness are seen in the sacrifice they brought which was beyond what the law stipulated. Her tenderness and love are seen in how the child was presented to Eli, the high priest, and in the provisions they brought for him with every visit to the Tabernacle (1 Sam 2:19).
THOUGHT: Where shall we go in time of need, but to the Lord of Heaven?
PRAYER: (Read Psalm 116:12-14.)