The Shunammite woman: Taking advantage of opportunities

Many women have been influential in the ministries of many men and women of God. With their financial support, such women contribute to the advancement of the kingdom of God. In the days of Jesus, there were women who supported the ministry from their earnings (Luke 8:1-3). Similarly, in our days, many churches have thrived on the generosity of women. Obviously, kingdom financiers have not only been women. There are men who have contributed immensely towards the growth and development of different ministries. Since this series focuses on women, we would focus our attention on the women. However, both men and women can be kingdom financiers. Elisha, the prophet, also benefited from the generosity of a woman. This woman went out to provide for the man of God and she received the blessings of  a prophet.

One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. (2 Kings 4:8)

Elisha’s ministry involved a lot of traveling and one of the places he visited often was Shunem. 2 Kings 4:8 quotes that, “One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.” Thus, Elisha was originally invited for a meal and the woman’s home became his constant stopover place for food. The woman  identified another need. If she could make a sleeping place for the prophet,  she was likely to have the prophet stay over instead of just eating and continuing his journey. The woman saw this as an advantageous opportunity not a worrisome task. She was not forced into making the decision,  she came up with the idea. Her type of generosity extended beyond food. She wanted to give more. She desired to sow more blessings into the man of God. She was rich (well-to-do) so she could have easily taken that step. But, she had a discussion with her husband about it. She submitted to her husband’s authority and leadership. She went to her husband and said to him “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us” (2 Kings 4:9‭-‬10). 

With the support of her husband, they made an upper room for Elisha. She wasn’t bound by any law to provide for the prophet. She saw an opportunity not a chore. She identified a need and availed herself to provide it. As long as the prophet was just stopping over to eat, the woman was never asked if she needed something but as soon as the prophet was given a room in her house, it opened doors for further conversations. One day when Elisha came to the house of the woman, he went up to his room and lay down there. He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite.” So he called her, and she stood before him. Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’ ” She replied, “I have a home among my own people” (2 Kings 4:11‭-‬13). The woman had a need but she was unable to share it with the prophet. She was childless and her husband was old (2 Kings 4:14). Prophet Elisha said to her, “About this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my Lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!” However,  true to the word of Elisha, the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son (2 Kings 4:16‭-‬17).

The Shunammite woman went out of her way to be a blessing to a man of God. She provided food and even added accommodation. She housed a prophet and received a prophet’s reward. Her own need was met when she provided for the needs of a man of God. When we go out of our way, with genuineness to serve others, we shall also be satisfied.  

Hannah: Presenting Samuel back to the Lord

Have you ever received a blessing that suddenly became a stumbling block to serving God? I have heard of people who prayed for specific blessings from God and when they received those blessings, the same people stopped serving God and even stopped attending church services. When they were contacted, their reply was that the same blessing they prayed for had kept them too busy to even have time to serve God and go to church.  I don’t believe God gives stumbling blocks as blessings. Our own attitudes sometimes hinder us from serving God with the same blessing we have received. At other times, if we go ahead of God and find our own way, what we so much desire could end up leaving us colder in faith. If you are not ready to handle the consequences of what you are asking for, then don’t ask for it. For every blessing comes with a new level of commitment. Until you give God all your all even in your most blessed state, the same blessing will lead you astray from God. In 2 Kings 20, king Hezekiah asked for long life but he failed to be sensitive in what he did in those added years. The result was disastrous. Even the son born during that time to him, was the worst king ever. 

When we understand that every new level comes with new challenges, we are not overwhelmed but we live in readiness. Hannah’s story so far has demonstrated faith in God. Hannah’s commitment to God even as she prayed for a son was that that son will be given back to God. She made that vow and was committed to it. She knew the pain of letting go of her only son. But, a vow must be kept. After Samuel was born, the family continued their annual trip to Shiloh to worship. 1 Samuel 1:21-23 state this:
“When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow, Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always.” “Do what seems best to you,” her husband Elkanah told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the Lord make good his word.” So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.”

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there. (1 Samuel 1:27‭-‬28)

Hannah was ready to fulfill her vow. She was ready to present the only son back to God. She knew that Samuel living in the house of God meant she would have less contact with him. Hannah was ready to bear the cost. She had committed to this and she had no excuse to God. “After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, “Pardon me, my Lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:24‭-‬26). Eli must have been surprised by this woman’s courage. She made a vow and she was ready for the consequences. Hannah told Eli, “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.” (1 Samuel 1:27‭-‬28).

Hannah let go of Samuel. She didn’t hold back. She didn’t complain that Samuel was too little to stay with Eli. She had no excuses. She just went to the same place of prayer and handed over the answer to her prayers back to God. The only heart desire was to have a child. Hannah didn’t hold on, she let go of her desire. Samuel was the manifestation of her prayer. She could have held on to show Peninnah that she has a son too. But, Hannah returned Samuel back to God as she had vowed. When Hannah gave back Samuel to God, she touched the heart of God. She had just one son and she willingly let go of him. She didn’t use her circumstances as an excuse to hold on to Samuel. Hannah’s son was no ordinary son. He became a voice of God in his generation. His mother ushered him into his prophetic ministry even before he was born. 

Hannah’s request was not to make her feel good. Her request was to give to God what God gives to her. Most of us have experienced specific lacks in our lives. We have encountered losses and pain. We have different things we look forward to having. But, do our desires advance God’s kingdom? We have learnt from Hannah’s story that God answers prayers. Our commitment should be this, no blessing from God will become a hindrance blocking our path to God. If you receive from God, be ready to give back to Him. Holding on and not letting go result in selfishness. However, like Hannah, we could give God our Samuel and God will give us back a generational prophet, a seer, a judge, a leader, a voice that silences other voices, and a kingmaker. As long as we hold on to our Samuel, he remains a child, but when we return him to the Lord, he becomes the voice of God. 

Hannah’s prayer

If you have ever wanted something so bad and you know someone who can give that to you, the first reaction would be to go and plead with the person who has possession of it to give it to you. For example, in our study of Rachel, we realized that she so much needed a child that when Rueben brought mandrakes (known for fertility power), Rachel willingly allowed her sister Leah to have Jacob for the night in exchange for the fertility plant. People are willing to go the extra mile to get what they really want. If you do not know the pain of such people,  their actions might look “stupid” to you. Until you get to that position of need, you might not desire to go an extra mile. Our study of the wives of Elkanah revealed that Hannah was mocked by her rival Peninnah because Hannah was childless. If there was one thing Hannah desired and would go the extra mile for, it was to have a child. Hannah was bruised emotionally and no amount of love from Elkanah could replace the pain she felt.

In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” (1 Samuel 1:10‭-‬11)

Such deep anguish might have reflected on her demeanor. In 1 Samuel 1:8, we noticed that even her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” Elkanah truly loved Hannah and cared for her but what Hannah really needed was a child. Her rival kept provoking her until Hannah wept uncontrollably. “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” (1 Samuel 1:10‭-‬11). 

All Hannah wanted was a child but in her anguish she prayed that if God gives her the son, she would return that son to the Lord. This kind of vow could only come from a woman with a bigger need. Hannah’s heart was not just to get the son and use him to reply to her rival’s taunts. Hannah’s request was to have a son who will be dedicated to God. She identified her need for a child and she was also aware that the word of God was rare during those times. If she gets a son, then that son could be God’s instrument to communicate to the people. In other words,  Hannah is satisfied and the work of God is done. Hannah might have discerned that if God’s work needs to be done, then God should give her a son to do that work. This son will satisfy Hannah’s heart desire and also accomplish the work of God.

Hannah’s prayer was so intense that the priest mistook her for a drunk woman. “As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” (1 Samuel 1:12‭-‬14). Hannah’s response to Eli the priest was this: “Not so, my Lord, I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” (1 Samuel 1:15‭-‬16). Upon hearing this, Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” (1 Samuel 1:17). Hannah  said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” (1 Samuel 1:18).

After pouring her heart to the Lord, Hannah’s demeanor changed. She found something to eat and her face bloomed. Hannah knew that God had heard her heartfelt prayer. As we go through Hannah’s life, one thing stands out. She knew that only God could satisfy her need for a child. Unlike the women before her who looked for alternatives, Hannah went to the Lord in prayer. She did not complain about her situation and how that has affected her life. She told God that I need a son and You need a prophet, therefore give me a son who will be Your prophet. Hannah committed to ensure that the son is dedicated to the Lord. God looked at her, this was a different woman. She knew the right buttons to touch to get God to move in her favour. She was not selfish but ready to give the only son back to God. 

Whenever we pray for our greatest need, we should consider how the answer to our prayer would fit in God’s bigger story. How would my prayer request advance the kingdom of heaven? Would the answer to my prayer fulfill a kingdom need? What commitment am I ready to make to ensure that the answer to my prayer becomes an answer to the nations? 

Hannah needed a son, God needed a dedicated servant. They all had needs. Hannah’s approach to this was; “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

Hannah and Peninnah: Wives of Elkanah

Polygamous homes are not new. As early as Genesis 4, Lamech had two wives, Ada and Zillah. Managing polygamous homes requires a lot of dedication and commitment. Many believers including myself have this belief in “one man, one wife.” God’s original intent for marriage was not based on polygamy. God began a monogamous marriage in Genesis. In Genesis 2:22-25,
“Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” 
Adam was given Eve alone. God knew what was best for humanity. If being married to one person is work, imagine having multiple spouses. Paul’s advice to his protégé Timothy was to admonish the elders of the church to he husbands of one wife ( 1 Timothy 3:2). 

He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. (1 Samuel 1:2)

Elkanah was a polygamous husband. His story predates the era of kings in Israel. “He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none” (1 Samuel 1:2). Today’s post will focus on Hannah and Peninnah. This is how scripture introduces the two wives, “Peninnah had children but Hannah had none.” By this quote, the stage is set for what would happen in the future. If you have followed earlier posts, you would know that the lack of children would likely cause problems. Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel experienced this as well, and each of them had different approaches to resolve it. Unfortunately for Hannah, “her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat” (1 Samuel 1:7). Elkanah loved Hannah and whenever they went to the house of the Lord to offer sacrifices, he would give Hannah a double portion of the meat. “Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her” (1 Samuel 1:6).

Hannah must have been very sad and worried about her situation. Scripture records that year after year, Peninnah would provoke Hannah whenever they went to the house of the Lord and Hannah would weep and refuse to eat. If there was any place where rivals could misbehave, definitely, not the house of God. Peninnah chose the wrong location to taunt Hannah. Shiloh was a place of worship. Elkanah and the family committed to this yearly routine to be able to offer their sacrifices to the Lord. But to Hannah, it was a yearly opening of her scars. Peninnah intentionally used the visit to Shiloh to mock Hannah. Such a sad experience. 

Whenever people go through tough moments in life, the House of God should be a place for comfort, rest, peace and rejuvenation. As soon as our actions make people feel uncomfortable to come to church, we have become Peninnahs of our days. Not every joke is light, not every comment is harmless, not every look is peaceful. People give meaning to everything, therefore be mindful of what you say and do. You might leave people more broken than there were. Peninnah’s taunts broke Hannah into pieces. The already sad woman was shattered in the house of God. The same God who blessed Peninnah with the babies became a snare to Hannah because in His house, Hannah was mocked and ridiculed. 

Our words and actions are powerful. Be intentional to build people. If you don’t know what to say, then don’t say anything. Just pray for people. Talk to God about their needs. Be mindful not to cause already broken believers to be shattered by your words and actions. 

Samson’s mother: The barren shall born a warrior

One issue that runs through the Old and New Testament is the need for a saviour. From Genesis to Malachi, there was a consistent request from the people to God to save them or deliver them from their enemies or their challenges. The New Testament begins with the birth of the Saviour but those who did not recognize Him still prayed for a saviour. During the time judges ruled in Israel, the people cried for a deliverance. Whenever the people sinned against God, they were left in the hands of their enemies. In Judges 13:1 we are told that “again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.” Forty years of pain, oppression and torment might have been quite overwhelming. When their cries for deliverance ascended to heaven, a woman was prepared to birth forth their deliverer. God did not choose any woman but one who had a personal challenge. This woman needed help. She was in need of a saviour to fix her own personal needs. She was not perfect but God chose the imperfect person to demonstrate His grace and mercy.

The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. (Judges 13:3) 

The deliverer for the desperate people of God was not chosen from among the Israelites, he had to be born and then grow up to take his role. This is how his birth came about: “A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:2‭-‬5). Manoah’s wife was overwhelmed by this strange information. She informed Manoah and together they both encountered the angel of God. When Manoah realized that they encountered an angel of God, he proclaimed: “We are doomed to die!” he said to his wife. “We have seen God!” But his wife answered, “If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this.” (Judges 13:22-23). The woman knew that God had a plan. She kept all the regulations given by the angel and she “gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol” (Judges 13:24‭-‬25)

Samson’s mother was the least expected to birth the deliverer. She was barren but God in His sovereignty chose the barren to glorify His name. Samson is a type of Jesus, we see the image of God’s bigger story in Samson’s story. Mary, the mother of Jesus was a virgin and while the people looked forward to a strong and mighty Saviour, Mary delivered a baby who grew up and died to save the whole world. Samson had a different task. He was meant to deliver Israel. He had extraordinary strength through which he single handedly fought and destroyed the enemies of Israel. His Nazirite vow was kept by his parents and fueled by the Spirit of God, Samson did extraordinary things while he was alive. Samson’s mother was influential in fulfilling God’s promise. She made sure that all the regulations of the angel of the Lord were kept. She knew that her obedience to the regulations was important to sustain the child and ultimately prepare the boy for his ministry. 

God chose the barren to birth the deliverer. Manoah’s wife was a woman with challenges but God used her to save Israel. You don’t need to be the perfect vessel for the Master’s use. Your readiness to accept His call is enough. God will use your imperfections to create a beautiful story. Be ready and willing. Your miracle story is on the way.