The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-08-10

and beauty is vain; but a woman that
feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Prov. 1880.
PRIMARY ToPIc-Gods Gift of
Mothers.
JUNIOR TOPIC-An Honored Mother.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-What We Owe to Our Mothers
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Devout Motherhood.
AS indicated by the lesson commit
tee, the lesson text practically covers
chapters one and two of Samuel. In
order to get full view of this I'M
usual woman the salient features of
these chapters should be made to stand
out.
!. Hannah's Sore Trial 1873.
Elkanah had two wives, in violation
Of Gods law. Gods primal thought
for man was one wife only. There
fore, for Adam he made Eve. Han
nah's sore trial grew out Of jealousy
which naturally springs up between
two women, wives Of one man. The
violation of this law Of God concern
ing marriage has always been attend
ed with trouble. Since Hannah's
name is mentioned first, we may
legitimately infer that she was his
first and lawful wife.
II. Hannah Prays for a Son Q:9-1S).
She had the good sense to take her
trouble to the Lord. Believers should
do this even though the troubles re-
suit from sin.
I. Her bitterness Of soul ". 10Y.
Though Elkanah loved her and sought
to tighten her burden, he was unable
to bring to her heart the needed
solace. Only in God can help be
found sufficient to stay the soul in
time of great trial
2. Her VOW ". 1D. Hannah asked
God for a son. In connection with
her asking this gift from God, she
vowed to give the child back to God.
Samuel was therefore Nazarite all
the days of his fife. Much can be ex-
pected of children born into the world
under such circumstances.
3. Hannah misjudged by Eli, the
priest wv. 12-16). The priest observ-
ing the motion of her lips and not
hearing the sound of her voice con-
cluded that she was intoxicated, de-
manded that she put away wine. She
defended herself against this vicious
inference, assuring Eli that in bitter
ness of soul she was pouring out her
heart to God in prayer.
Even good people may be too ready
to impute evil motives to others. The
devout Hannah must have been shocked
and grieved that Eli should so unjust
~ accuse her. The Golden Rule should
be applied in judging others.
A. Hannah blessed by Eli wv.
= II, 49,. Her explanation satisfied
Eli, who in turn pronounced blessing
upon her, Joining in prayer that God
would grant her petition.
III. Hannah Consecrates Samuel to
the Lord 1:19-2S).
l. Her prayer answered wv. 10, 20).
So definitely did she realize that God
had answered her prayer that she
named the child Samuel, which means
"asked of God"
q Samuel taken to Shiloh wv.
20-24). Hannah refrained from going
to the place of yearly sacrifice till
Samuel was weaned.
8. Samuel lent or returned to the
Lord wv. 25-2S). According to her
vow, she took Samuel at an early age
to the sanctuary and gave him over
to the charge of Eli. the priest. to min
lister therein. 1t is a beautiful sight
to see Samuel in his tender years
ministering before the Lord. Cody
mothers will train their children for
Gods service. 1t was, no doubt, a
trying experience for Hannah to part
with her child. She dedicated him
unto the Lord to the end of his life.
w. Hannah's Thanksgiving to God
(chap. p.
]. She rejoiced in the Lord wv.
1-10). So really God had answered
her prayer and so definitely had she
consecrated Samuel to the sacred serv-
ice, that she intellectually rejoiced
in that she could give up her child in
the service of the Lord. She declared
lhdJ LOhC W as 81 hOly as IIC anu
that there was none other like unto the
Lord. She realized that the Lord was
almighty and that the blessings which
had come to her were from him.
2. Her love for Samuel wv. IS. 19).
This was expressed in the making with
her own hands a coat for him and
taking it to him from year to year as
she went to Shiloh with her husband
to worship the Lord.
The priestly blessing upon Han
nah and Elkanah wv. 20,21). The old
priest highly priced the ministry of
Samuel and expressed his apprecia-
tion by pronouncing blessing upon
his father and mother.