From Barrenness to Bliss (1 Samuel 1:1-28; 2:1)
Sermon Summary
6 September 2026
Ps. David Yan
Land can be barren by lacking fruit. Nations can be barren by lacking values.
In the days of the Hebrew judges the nation of Israel was barren. People did things according to what was right in their own eyes. There was little recognition of moral authority.
In 1 Samuel 1 we read of Hannah who was barren. Her husband Elkanah had two wives, Peninah and Hannah. Peninah had children but Hannah was barren. Hannah was continually provoked by Peninah. There was strife in the household. This is inevitable when people disobey God’s laws concerning marriage. One man; one wife. That is the rule.
But God accommodated Elkanah’s error but without in any way justifying it. God regulates human failure lest sin gets totally out of control.
Hannah was driven to heart-felt prayer. The Lord closed her womb but opened her heart. From her heart she prayed an anguished prayer. Desperate situations need desperate prayers.
At the tabernacle she prayed intensively for a son and promised she would give the son to the service of God in the tabernacle. As she prayed her lips moved but her voice was silent.
Eli, the priest, rebuked her concluding she was drunk. He failed to discern the difference between an intensive, voiceless prayer and a drunkard. Eli was a failed priest but a priest nevertheless. He was the intercessor for God’s people. Today, Jesus is our intercessor. He is not a failure. Come to him with boldness. He will not fail you.
The word of God came to Hannah. Eli, though a failed priest, still gave God’s word to Hannah. Today’s preachers may err privately but the objective gospel they preach can still bear fruit. God mercifully uses imperfect servants to deliver his perfect word.
The word of God to Hannah was that she would bear a son. Hannah believed God’s word. She returned home joyfully.
After Samuel was born and weaned Hannah presented him to Eli for service to God. Hannah kept her promise. Remember to bless God after he has blessed you.
Hannah was joyful (1 Samuel 2:1). She had moved from barrenness to bliss. Similarly, years later, Elizabeth, who, like Hannah, was barren, gave birth to John the Baptist. Elizabeth also moved from barrenness to bliss (Luke 1:41).
Christ Jesus moved from barrenness to bliss. For Jesus, the whole world was barren. It was fallen from perfection by the sin of Adam and Eve. But where sin abounded grace abounded more. Jesus came to redeem the world by his death and resurrection. He came to save it and he shall usher in a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1).
You may be in a season of barrenness but in Christ there is a season of bliss to come. This barren world is not our home. Heaven is our home. There is bliss forever.
In seasons of barrenness, pray. Jesus hears your prayers and will answer you according to his will and time. A season of bliss awaits those who pray. Amen