Theologically considered the word signifies "that they whom God has regenerated and effectually called to a state of grace can neither totally nor finally fall away from that state, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end and be eternally saved." This is possible because the indwelling Spirit keeps those whom God has redeemed. Such passages as John 3:36; 5:24; 10:27-30; and Philippians 1:6 are cited to support this. Johnson wrote, "Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. Franklin wrote, "He that can have patience, can have what he will." Collier said, "Patient waiting is often the highest way of doing God’s will."

"Patience", why it is the soul of peace; of all the virtues, it is nearest akin to heaven; It makes men look like gods. The best of men that ever wore earth about Him was a sufferer,---a meek, patient, humble, tranquil spirit; the first true gentleman that ever breathed.

Today’s lesson addresses the Life Question: "How can I persevere under adverse circumstances?" We will explore the Biblical Truth: "God enables us to persevere in the midst of difficulties and not to lose heart.

Some-times referred to as the last of the judges. The time of the judges was a time of moral and spiritual anarchy. The last verse of the Book of Judges captures the disobedient mood of the times. "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

In vs. 1-2 the Book of First Samuel opens with the account of an Israelite, Elkanah, and his two wives, Hannah and Pininnah. Elkanah’s lineage is traced back four generations. The designation Ramathaim appears to be another name for Ramah.

The inspired biblical writer did not record how Elkanah got two wives. Although monogamy is the biblical ideal, the Bible candidly reports that some men had multiple wives. For example, Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah and afterward he also married Rachel. The Bible also honestly portrays the conflict that developed in families because of multiple wives.

A major distinction between Elkanah’s two wives was that Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. In Old Testament society a woman’s fertility was a major concern. Childlessness was viewed as a sign of divine disapproval. Hannah’s barrenness was viewed as a sign of divine disapproval. Hannah’s barrenness was viewed as God’s not allowing her to conceive. Children, especially sons, were important to the family and were seen as evidence of God’s love. (Ps. 127:3-5.)

1. PLEASE READ 1 SAMUEL 1:4-7

Elkanah was a religious man. His genealogy suggests that he was a man of some standing. Every year he took his family to worship at Shiloh. Although Solomon did not build the temple at Jerusalem until many years later, a place for worshipping God was earlier established at Shiloh. Eli served as priest at this sanctuary and was assisted by his sons, Hophni and Phinehas.

Elkanah offered a sacrificial animal, probably a peace offering, and according to custom most of the animal was eaten by the family and the priests. Elkanah divided up the meat into portions. Peninnah and all her sons and her daughters received portions. He also gave Hannah a worthy portion. This usually translated "a double portion". This might be seen as an attempt by Elkanah to compensate partially for Hannah’s childlessness.

Yet, his words in verse 8 seem insensitive to how deep was her pain, especially as it was increased by the taunts of her adversary ("rival," NIV): "Why is thy heart grieved? Am not I better to thee than ten sons"? These words were of little comfort to Hannah. In fact, Elkanah’s words showed such little empathy for her that they might have increased her pain. So great was her inner sorrow that she wept, and did not eat.

Although we cannot be sure of the insensitivity of Elkanah, we can be certain of the insensitivity of Peninnah. The word translated adversary, means "one who afflicts or troubles someone else." The word provoked ("kept provoking," NIV) is used twice in verses 6 and 7 for what this rival wife did to Hannah. The word means "provoke to anger."

We could say that she made Hannah’s life stormy. How did Peninnah do this? She did it by using words to taunt and humiliate Hannah. As a childless woman, Hannah already felt that the Lord was punishing her for some unknown reason. Peninnah used that to further wound her. We can imagine the kind of things she said to Hannah: "You have committed some great sin for the Lord to close your womb. Look how He blessed me. I have the favor of God and the love of my husband. Whatever Elkanah may say to you about his love, you have given him no children."

When we ask why Peninnah taunted Hannah, the Bible does not tell us. But we assume it was out of jealousy or just plain meanness. The words of Elkanah about his love for Hannah may help explain the hatred of Peninnah. She seemed to have concentrated her venomous words to Hannah each year when they went to Shiloh. "So little idea had she of the connection

Of true religion and high moral tone, that the occasion of the most solemn religious service of the nation was her time pouring out her bitterest passion."

How do these verses apply to Christian perseverance?

Abraham Lincoln learned perseverance through the trials of life and verbal abuse of others. He lost his mother when he was a child. He lost his sweetheart by death when he was a young man. He married Mary Todd. They loved each other, but their personalities clashed and this caused them both great sorrow. They saw two of their sons die. Throughout his political career, foes and friends alike ridiculed Lincoln. These experiences made very real his need to learn to persevere.

Lincoln developed the forbearance to ignore the ridicule to which he was constantly subjected. Someone told Lincoln that his secretary of war Edwin M. Stanton had called him a fool. Stanton disagreed with one of the president’s orders. Lincoln said: "If Stanton said I am a fool, then I must be, for he is nearly always right. I’ll just go see for myself." After talking with Stanton, Lincoln saw that Stanton was right and he was wrong. Lincoln thus withdrew his order.

Lincoln was called to lead the nation through the bloody Civil War. Only someone of persevering spirit could have with stood the pressures of his role. Two factors helped him persevere. One was that the sorrows of his life had helped prepare him for this great burden. Even his unhappy marriage had a role in making him strong. The primary source of his perseverance, however, was Lincoln’s growing faith and dependence on God.

His had been a growing faith. His perseverance thus enabled him to endure the dark war years and offer "malice toward none" when the war was over. On the day following his reelection in 1864, Lincoln stated to a friend: "I should be the veriest shallow and self-conceited blockhead upon the footstool, if in my discharge of the duties that are put upon me in this place, I should hope to get along without the wisdom that comes from God, and not from men."

Although patience or perseverance in the midst of trying circumstance is a Christian virtue, many Christians have a difficult time being patient. We live in a society that exalts speed. We go to fast-food restaurants and shop at convenience stores. Many people today lack the patience Hannah demonstrated as she persevered in faith.

1. PLEASE READ I SAMUEL 1: 10-11

Hannah had many reasons to feel discouraged and bitter. She could not have children. She had to share her husband with another woman who ridiculed her. Her loving husband could not solve her problem. Yet Hannah did not seek to retaliate against Peninnah or to give up hope. Instead, she took her problem to God, seeking His help. In verse 9 she went to the "Lords’ temple," where she prayed. She sought the Lord’s solutions instead of resorting to human schemes. Prayer is the first step in persevering. Only God can give us strength to be able to persevere. Hannah prayed to the Lord in bitterness of soul.

We can understand why Hannah had bitterness of soul. This translates the word mara.

You may recall that this was the name that Naomi asked that she be called when she returned to Bethlehem after the deaths of her husband and two sons. The women of Bethlehem asked, "Is this Naomi?" And she said to them, "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me". (Ruth 1:19b-20). We have no record of Hannah’s expressing her bitterness to God or about Him-as Naomi did. She may have felt that she had reason to feel bitter about life, God, Elkanah, and Peninnah. Instead Hannah prayed unto the Lord. Notice that she prayed to the Lord of hosts.

This title appeared for the first time in verse 3. It is often translated "Lord Almighty". It pictures the Lord at the head of vast hosts. He also has the power that Hannah needed. Realizing that, she took her burden to Him. This powerful Lord could deliver Hannah from her hopeless situation. Notice the various words Hannah used to make her desperate and earnest petition to God. Look on the affliction of thine handmaid expresses a familiar Old Testament prayer. It assumes that God can see and does care for His people. "Remember me, and do not forget", are two other familiar ways of expressing faith in God and the need for God’s help. Because Hannah was barren, people like Peninnah said that the Lord had forgotten her, or even forsaken her, but Hannah dared to believe that He knew and cared for her.

Hannah’s prayer took the form of a vow to God. Such a vow is not an attempt to bargain with God. She knew all things were in His hand. Her vow was a promise on her part of what she would do if God gave her a man-child. She promised to give him unto the Lord all the days of his life. The words about no razor imply that he would be a Nazarite. Hannah committed to recognize that her son belonged to God for special service.

2. PLEASE READ I SAMUEL 1: 12-18

The words as she kept on praying indicate that this grieving woman prayed for some time. Eli, the high priest at Shiloh, was sitting by the entrance to the house of the Lord. He observed Hannah but misunderstood her long, silent prayer. When he saw Hannah’s lips moving without making a sound, Eli falsely concluded that she must be drunk. Evidently, as indicated by this rebuke, alcohol abuse had become a problem in the religious festivals held in Shiloh. Eli’s scolding, however, revealed his own spiritual blindness, insensitivity, and incompetence. He should have realized that Hannah was seriously praying with deep faith in the Lord. She was not drunk.

Ironically, Eli had two sons who were sinners of the worst kind. The sins of Phinehas and Hophni are spelled out in I Samuel 2: 12-17. Eli’s attempt to discipline his two evil sons was too little and too late (vv. 22-25). Their sins eventually led to the loss of the ark of the covenant to the Philistines (3:1-4:18).

What Eli said to Hannah, he should have said to his sons when they were growing up and choosing the ways of evil. "Eli is portrayed as a man unable to distinguish appearance from reality, as a man who himself lacked substance. He was a man who watched lips instead of perceiving hearts, who judged spirituality to be profligate indulgence in spirits."

Hannah quickly defended herself. She was a woman of a sorrowful spirit who poured out her soul before the Lord. Drunkenness was a sin, and she denied having drunk either wine or strong drink. If she were drunk, she would be a daughter of Belial. Rather than being drunk, her actions were earnest prayers out of the abundance of her great anguish, and provocation. Eli recognized his mistake and pronounced a blessing on this earnest woman: The God of Israel grant thee thy petition.

After her tearful prayers and Eli’s blessing, Hannah left the sanctuary transformed. She now possessed the assurance that God had heard and answered her petition. No longer in the depths of despair, she felt God’s peace and hope. She had taken her problems to the Lord and left them in His hands. Her appetite returned, enabling her to participate in the festival meal with her family. Her face was no longer downcast.

Hannah is portrayed as the most pious woman in the Old Testament. Here she is shown going up to the Lord’s house; no other woman in the Old Testament is mentioned doing this. In addition, Hannah is the only woman shown making and fulfilling a vow to the Lord; she is also the only woman who is specifically said to pray. Her prayer is also among the longest recorded in the Old Testament.

I have been intrigued by the statements of some survivors of the concentration camps of World War II. Some survivors said that some of the best people in the camps did not survive. They explained that this was not always the case, but that some did not survive because they gave their rations to others or did some other act of faith and love. On the other side, some people were willing to do anything to survive, even if it meant assisting in putting others to death.

This raises the question, "Is there a difference between perseverance and survival?"

Often we define these as words that mean the same thing. Yet at other times, when we say that someone is a survivor, this implies that the person has been willing to do whatever it takes to survive. This is reinforced by the so-called reality shows on television. These shows reward someone who survives a series of tests. Survival is often achieved not by Christian perseverance but by non-Christian scheming and deception. Christian perseverance is based on Christlike forbearance and endurance that is consistent with the other fruit of the Spirit.

What lessons about perseverance are found in verses 10-17?

1. Perseverance is possible only with the help of the Lord. Christians have a doctrine of the perseverance of the saints; it is also called the preservation of the saints. God makes our persevering possible by working in and through our lives. He has a stronger hold on us than we do on Him. Only the Spirit of God can produce the perseverance that is in Galations 5:22.

1. Places of worship should be places of encouragement and mutual support as well as places of prayer. Hannah prayed at the place of worship, but she also was rebuked falsely by no less than the high priest. Sometimes even in church people have bad experiences. Believers should be lifting up one another not putting one another down.
2. Prayer has the characteristics illustrated by Hannah’s prayer. Real prayer is earnest. It calls on the name of the Lord Almighty. It is based on faith that He can see our needs and help us. It is persistent.
3. PLEASE READ I SAMUEL 1: 19-20

Early the next morning, Elkanah and his family, worshipped before the Lord. This must have had special meaning for Hannah after her experience on the previous day. Then the family returned to their home at Ramah. We don’t know if Hannah told Elkanah of her prayer and of her conversation with Eli. After returning home Elkanah lay with Hannah, a common Old Testament expression for sexual intimacy. The Lord remembered Hannah as she had asked Him to do by enabling her to conceive. Hannah gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel. Samuel means "asked of God" or "heard by God." This name constantly would remind Hannah that God had answered her prayer.

Although Elkanah continued his annual pilgrimage to Shiloh to sacrifice to the Lord, Hannah remained at home until Samuel was weaned, probably at age three according to the custom in the ancient world. Then she fulfilled her vow by giving him to the Lord. She took Samuel to Shiloh, together with various kinds of offerings, and presented him to Eli for the Lords service. She would see her precious child once a year on the family’s visit to the worship center. Hannah praised God for His deliverance with a prayer-song (2:1-10), which you will want to read—and compare with the prayer of Mary in Luke 1: 46-55,

Hannah’s actions proved she was a woman of faith. God empowered her to persevere in the midst of difficult circumstances. He blessed her persistent, risk-taking faith by removing the shame of her barrenness and giving her Samuel. God honored the fulfillment of her vow by giving Hannah three more sons and two daughters.

The birth of Samuel marked the end of the period of the judges and provided a transition to the period of the United Kingdom. Samuel was to become the last judge, a priest, a prophet, and an anointer of the first two kings of Israel. Nothing is said about Hannah’s future relations with Peninnah.

What lessons about Christian perseverance are found in verses 19-20?

1. God answers prayer. He does not always give us what we ask for but He always answers in His own time and in His own way. He used the provocation Hannah endured to lead her to make a petition to Him. He gave her the son for which she had prayed. When we pray to the Lord for strength to persevere, He will give us that and far more.
2. Children are gifts and trusts from God. They are gifts, and happy are those who are blessed to have children (Ps. 127:3-5). But children belong first of all to God. Parents are only stewards who are entrusted for a time with the care of these precious children. Christian parents ought to commit their children to God before the children are born, when young, and throughout their growing up years. Parents cannot make the decisions for personal faith for their children, but they can with God’s help raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
3. We should keep our promises to God. Prayer is not a time for bargaining with God for something we want; however, it is an opportunity to make commitments to the Lord as we ask for Him to grant our petitions. When we make promises to God, we should keep the promises.

NEXT SUNDAY FROM II KINGS 4 WE FIND THAT "GOD WANTS US TO BE KIND". ELISHA IS OUR EXAMPLE. A.V. DAUGHERTY 6-23-02