”This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.“ I Samuel 1:3-7 NKJV
a. This man went up from his city: According to the Law of Moses, Israelites could not worship God through sacrifices at any time and in any way they pleased. They were to bring sacrifices to the tabernacle and the priests, which at this time were at Shiloh.
b. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there: These priests are mentioned by name because they were known as notoriously wicked priests (1 Samuel 2:17, 24). Their mention here shows how godly Elkanah was. Even though the priests were wicked, he still offered sacrifices to the LORD, knowing that the wickedness of the priest did not make his own service to the LORD invalid.
c. He would give portions: As Elkanah brought his family each year to the tabernacle for the sacrifice he ate a ceremonial meal at the tabernacle with his family, giving portions to his wives and their children. He showed his favor and love to Hannah by giving her a double portion.
d. She wept and did not eat: Because of the conflict between the two wives, Hannah could not enjoy this display of love and favor from Elkanah.
i. It is possible for problems at home to make your time at the house of God miserable. Hannah is at the house of the LORD with a blessed double portion in front of her and she can’t enjoy it.
e. The LORD had closed her womb: Beyond Hannah’s painful trial there was a purpose of God. God used the trial of a closed womb to accomplish something great in her life and to further the whole plan of salvation. Even though things were hard God was still in charge.
i. It seems strange that Peninnah (who seems of a bad character) was blessed with children and Hannah (who seems of a good character) was cursed with barrenness. Often, we don’t understand God’s ways until He completes His plan. (Guzik)
The Lord is In Charge
When times get tough sometimes it’s hard to remember that the Lord is in charge and has a plan.
Proverbs 21 CEV is an interesting version about the Lord being in charge, enjoy!
Blessings
Proverbs 21 CEV
The Lord Is In Charge
21
The Lord controls rulers,
just as he determines
the course of rivers.
2
We may think we are doing
the right thing,
but the Lord always knows
what is in our hearts.
3
Doing what is right and fair
pleases the Lord
more than an offering.
4
Evil people are proud
and arrogant,
but sin is the only crop
they produce.[a]
5
If you plan and work hard,
you will have plenty;
if you hurry to get rich,
you will end up poor.
6
Cheating to get rich
is a foolish dream
and no less than suicide.[b]
7
You destroy yourself
by being cruel and violent
and refusing to live right.
8
All crooks are liars,
but anyone who is innocent
will do right.
9
It's better to stay outside
on the roof of your house
than to live inside
with a nagging wife.
10
Evil people want to do wrong,
even to their friends.
11
An ignorant fool learns
by seeing others punished;
a sensible person learns
by being instructed.
12
God is always fair!
He knows what the wicked do
and will punish them.
13
If you won't help the poor,
don't expect to be heard
when you cry out for help.
14
A secret bribe will save you
from someone's fierce anger.
15
When justice is done,
good citizens are glad
and crooks are terrified.
16
If you stop using good sense,
you will find yourself
in the grave.
17
Heavy drinkers and others
who live only for pleasure
will lose all they have.
18
God's people will escape,
but all who are wicked
will pay the price.
19
It's better out in the desert
than at home with a nagging,
complaining wife.
20
Be sensible and store up
precious treasures—
don't waste them
like a fool.
21
If you try to be kind and good,
you will be blessed with life
and goodness and honor.
22
One wise person can defeat
a city full of soldiers
and capture their fortress.
23
Watching what you say
can save you
a lot of trouble.
24
If you are proud and conceited,
everyone will say,
“You're a snob!”
25
If you want too much
and are too lazy to work,
it could be fatal.
26
But people who obey God
are always generous.
27
The Lord despises the offerings
of wicked people
with evil motives.
28
If you tell lies in court,
you are done for;
only a reliable witness
can do the job.
29
Wicked people bluff their way,
but God's people think
before they take a step.
30
No matter how much you know
or what plans you make,
you can't defeat the Lord.
31
Even if your army has horses
ready for battle,
the Lord will always win.
