patriarchs and prophets-第148章
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and a lofty faith。
The blessing so earnestly sought by every Hebrew was denied this godly pair；
their home was not gladdened by the voice of childhood； and the desire to
perpetuate his name led the husband as it had led many othersto contract
a second marriage。 But this step； prompted by a lack of faith in God； did
not bring happiness。 Sons and daughters were added to the household； but the
joy and beauty of God's sacred institution had been marred and the peace of
the family was broken。 Peninnah； the new wife； was jealous and
narrow…minded； and she bore herself with pride and insolence。 To Hannah；
hope seemed crushed and life a weary burden； yet she met the trial with
uncomplaining meekness。
Elkanah faithfully observed the ordinances of God。 The worship at Shiloh was
still maintained； but on account of irregularities in the ministration his
services were not required at the sanctuary； to which； being a Levite； he
was to give attendance。 Yet he went up with his family to worship and
sacrifice at the appointed gatherings。
Even amid the sacred festivities connected with the service of God the evil
spirit that had cursed his home intruded。 After presenting the thank
offerings； all the family； according to the established custom； united in a
solemn yet joyous feast。 Upon these occasions Elkanah gave the mother of his
children a portion for herself and for each of her sons and daughters； and
in token of regard for Hannah； he gave her a double portion； signifying that
his affection for her was the same as if she had had a son。 Then the second
wife； fired with jealousy； claimed the precedence
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as one highly favored of God； and taunted Hannah with her childless state as
evidence of the Lord's displeasure。 This was repeated from year to year；
until Hannah could endure it no longer。 Unable to hide her grief； she wept
without restraint； and withdrew from the feast。 Her husband vainly sought to
comfort her。 〃Why weepest thou？ and why eatest thou not？ and why is thy
heart grieved？〃 he said； 〃am I not better to thee than ten sons？〃
Hannah uttered no reproach。 The burden which she could share with no earthly
friend she cast upon God。 Earnestly she pleaded that He would take away her
reproach and grant her the precious gift of a son to nurture and train for
Him。 And she made a solemn vow that if her request were granted； she would
dedicate her child to God； even from its birth。 Hannah had drawn near to the
entrance of the tabernacle； and in the anguish of her spirit she 〃prayed； 。
。 。 and wept sore。。〃 Yet she communed with God in silence； uttering no
sound。 In those evil times such scenes of worship were rarely witnessed。
Irreverent feasting and even drunkenness were not uncommon； even at the
religious festivals； and Eli the high priest； observing Hannah； supposed
that she was overcome with wine。 Thinking to administer a deserved rebuke；
he said sternly； 〃How long wilt thou be drunken？ put away thy wine from
thee。〃
Pained and startled； Hannah answered gently； 〃No； my lord； I am a woman of a
sorrowful spirit： I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink； but have
poured out my soul before the Lord。 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter
of Belial： for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken
hitherto。〃
The high priest was deeply moved； for he was a man of God； and in place of
rebuke he uttered a blessing： 〃Go in peace： and the God of Israel grant thee
thy petition that thou hast asked of Him。〃
Hannah's prayer was granted； she received the gift for which she had so
earnestly entreated。 As she looked upon the child； she called him
Samuel〃asked of God。〃 As soon as the little one was old enough to be
separated from his mother； she fulfilled her vow。 She loved her child with
all the devotion of a mother's heart； day by day； as she watched his
expanding powers and listened to his childish prattle； her affections
entwined about him
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more closely。 He was her only son； the special gift of Heaven； but she had
received him as a treasure consecrated to God； and she would not withhold
from the Giver His own。
Once more Hannah journeyed with her husband to Shiloh and presented to the
priest； in the name of God； her precious gift； saying； 〃For this child I
prayed； and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him：
therefore also I have lent him to the Lord； as long as he liveth he shall be
lent to the Lord。〃 Eli was deeply impressed by the faith and devotion of
this woman of Israel。 Himself as overindulgent father； he was awed and
humbled as he beheld this mother's great sacrifice in parting with her only
child； that she might devote him to the service of God。 He felt reproved for
his own selfish love； and in humiliation and reverence he bowed before the
Lord and worshiped。
The mother's heart was filled with joy and praise； and she longed to pour
forth her gratitude to God。 The Spirit of Inspiration came upon her； 〃and
Hannah prayed； and said：
〃My heart rejoiceth in the Lord；
Mine horn is exalted in the Lord；
My mouth is enlarged over mine enemies；
Because I rejoice in Thy salvation。
There is none holy as the Lord：
For there is none beside Thee：
Neither is there any rock like our God。
Talk no more so exceeding proudly；
Let not arrogancy come out of your mouth；
For Jehovah is a God of knowledge；
And by Him actions are weighed。 。 。 。
The Lord killeth； and maketh alive：
He bringeth down to the grave； and bringeth up。
The Lord maketh poor； and maketh rich：
He bringeth low； and lifteth up。
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust；
And lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill；
To set them among princes；
And to make them inherit the throne of glory：
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's；
And He hath set the world upon them。
He will keep the feet of His saints；
And the wicked shall be silent in darkness；
For by strength shall no man prevail。
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces；
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Out of heaven shall He thunder upon them：
The Lord shall judge the ends of the earth；
And He shall give strength unto His king；
And exalt the horn of His anointed。〃
Hannah's words were prophetic； both of David； who should reign as king of
Israel； and of the Messiah； the Lord's Anointed。 Referring first to the
boasting of an insolent and contentious woman； the song points to the
destruction of the enemies of God and the final triumph of His redeemed
people。
From Shiloh； Hannah quietly returned to her home at Ramah； leaving the child
Samuel to be trained for service in the house of God； under the instruction
of the high priest。 From the earliest dawn of intellect she had taught her
son to love and reverence God and to regard himself as the Lord's。 By every
familiar object surrounding him she had sought to lead his thoughts up to
the Creator。 When separated from her child； the faithful mother's solicitude
did not cease。 Every day he was the subject of her prayers。 Every year she
made； with her own hands； a robe of service for him； and as she went up with
her husband to worship at Shiloh； she gave the child this reminder of her
love。 Every fiber of the little garment had been woven with a prayer that he
might be pure； noble； and true。 She did not ask for her son worldly
greatness； but she earnestly pleaded that he might attain that greatness
which Heaven valuesthat he might honor God and bless his fellow men。
What a reward was Hannah's！ and what an encouragement to faithfulness is her
example！ There are opportunities of inestimable worth； interests infinitely
precious； committed to every mother。 The humble round of duties which women
have come to regard as a wearisome task should be looked upon as a grand and
noble work。 It is the mother's privilege to bless the world by her
influence； and in doing this she will bring joy to her
