Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

HANNAH

1. She was without a doubt one of the noblest Hebrew women of her day:
   1. What information we have in the Bible testifies to the truth of my observation
   2. We do not know whether she was as beautiful as Sarah; but she was possessed of a beautiful character - I Pet. 3:3
2. The story of Hannah is full of pathos:
   1. She was a woman of much prayer
   2. She was unselfish in her request for a son; truly a wonderful Bible character

1. Her family connections: - I Sam. 1; 2:1-21
   1. Hannah was the favorite wife of Elkanah a Levite of Ramathaim Zophim who belonged to one of the most honorable families of that priestly portion of Jacob's progeny - the Kohathites
   2. Although a godly man, he followed the common custom of polygamy; in those days when "every man did that which was right in the sight of his own eyes"
   3. But polygamy has ever been a curse - bringing strife and heartache to those affected by that life
   4. Peninnah, the second wife gave Hannah a lot of heartache because Hannah was childless
2. The outstanding virtues of Hannah:
   1. The story of Hannah makes it clear that she was possessed with an unblemished character
   2. Piety reigned in her heart, and she maintained constant communion with the religious ordinances of her nation
   3. She was a woman of fervent and constant prayer - prayer was to her soul the vitalizing renewing power day by day
   4. God answered her prayer and gave her a son, who became a mighty man of God - a prophet and judge in Israel

1. She was a godfearing woman:
   1. Her devotion to the worship of her nation was without blemish
   2. Her patience with Peninnah was marked and commendable
2. She prayed that God would give her a son and remove the reproach of Peninnah, who like Hagar ridiculed her because she did not have a child:
   1. Hebrew women looked upon childbirth as a special favor from the Lord
   2. And to be childless was humiliating to them
3. God honored the supplication of Hannah:
   1. Gave her a son
   2. And she, in turn, lent Samuel to the Lord; that is a mark of true greatness
   3. Abraham got Isaac from the Lord; and he gave Isaac back to the Lord - Gen. 22:1-12
   4. When Hannah lent Samuel to the Lord, she kept him as the gift of heaven; because so long as Samuel was under the care of God, he was eternally secure
4. The church of God needs more Hannahs:
   1. Praying mothers in modern Israel
   2. They need to keep their sons and daughters upon God's altar
   3. If more mothers would lend their sons and daughters to the Lord, the church of God would have more men like Samuel
5. One must not overlook the fact:
   1. That Hannah must have had the gift of poetry - study her song of praise and compare with the hymn of Mary - they are very similar compare I Sam. 2:1-10 with Luke 1:46-55
   2. It seems that when the Holy Spirit has control of the heart, poetic truths find an outlet through praise
6. As we think of Hannah, let us resolve that no environment can prevent God's grace to enrich our lives. Hannah felt for a time that she was beyond obtaining the desired child she prayed for so earnestly; but God had a way to answer her prayer; and so will He hear the prayer of his children today.