1 Samuel 1:1-18

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — Psalm 100
• Hymn
• Prayer of Invocation
• Confession of Sin — based on Isaiah 53
• Assurance of Pardon — 1 John 1:9
• Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 19:1–15
• Pastoral Prayer
• Offering
• Hymn of Preparation — Be Still, My Soul
• Sermon
• Hymn — Be Thou My Vision
• Benediction

---

Sermon Title: Godly Sorrow in the Midst of Suffering

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1–18

I. The Culprits of Godly Sorrow

A. Circumstances outside of God's ordained purposes

1. Elkanah's taking of two wives departs from God's design for one-flesh marriage established in Genesis 2:23–24
2. Polygamy enters the biblical record with wicked Lamech in Genesis 4, signaling how far humanity had fallen
3. The rivalry between Hannah and Peninnah is a direct consequence of this arrangement outside God's ordinance

B. The provocation of an adversary

1. Peninnah mocked and derided Hannah for her barrenness, especially during the annual festival worship at Shiloh
2. Barrenness in Israel was often culturally interpreted as a sign of God's disfavor, deepening Hannah's anguish
3. Hannah's response is not retaliation or worldly bitterness — she turns wholly to God, distinguishing her grief as godly rather than worldly
4. Paul's distinction between worldly grief and godly grief in 2 Corinthians 7:8–10: worldly grief produces death; godly grief produces repentance leading to salvation

II. The Cry of Godly Sorrow

A. The cry arises in the midst of celebration

1. Hannah rises during the festive meal at Shiloh — a joyful occasion that only intensifies her awareness of her sorrow
2. She does not remain to be a "killjoy" but runs to the house of the Lord to pour out her soul

B. The nature of the cry itself

1. Hannah prays so bitterly that only her lips move and her voice is not heard — Eli mistakes her for a drunkard
2. This reveals the spiritual decline of Israel at the time: drunkenness in the house of the Lord was apparently not uncommon (cf. the sins of Hophni and Phinehas in 1 Samuel 2)
3. Though silent to human ears, God hears the wordless cries of a broken heart directed toward Him

C. The remarkable contrast in Hannah's vow (1 Samuel 1:11)

1. She addresses God as the Lord of Hosts — the sovereign commander of the heavenly armies, the almighty ruler of heaven and earth
2. Yet she boldly asks this God of the universe: See me. Remember me. — reflecting her understanding of God as both transcendent and intimately covenantal
3. Hannah calls herself the Lord's servant throughout — she is not bargaining for God to prove His worth; He is already Lord of Hosts and already worthy of her service
4. Her vow to dedicate the child back to God (the Nazirite vow — no razor, no fruit of the vine, no contact with the dead) reveals that her desire for a son is for the glory of God, not personal vindication over Peninnah
5. This distinguishes her cry as truly godly sorrow, not worldly sorrow disguised as piety

III. The Comfort of Godly Sorrow

A. God brings comfort through the word of the high priest

1. Eli, upon learning Hannah is not drunk, speaks with priestly authority: Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition (1 Samuel 1:17)
2. This authoritative word causes Hannah to rise, eat, and no longer be sad (1 Samuel 1:18)
3. The high priest speaks on God's behalf as the ordained intercessor between God and His people; Hannah serves God through serving the one God has appointed

B. The greater High Priest who comforts His people

1. Hebrews 4:15–16: Jesus is a High Priest who sympathizes with our weakness, having been tempted in every way yet without sin — He will never mistake a sorrowful heart for drunkenness
2. Christ speaks His word of comfort through His ordinary means of grace: the preached Word, the sacraments, corporate worship, the prayers of the church, and fellow believers who offer Christ-like encouragement
3. Jesus is not only High Priest but Lord of Hosts — He has all authority in heaven and earth, and He says: Behold, I am with you until the end of the age
4. The suffering saint can cast their tears at the throne of grace, knowing their High Priest hears them and declares: in Christ, you are more than conquerors