1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: 2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. 1 Samuel 1:1-3

Verse 3 

And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. 1 Samuel 1:3

Verses one and two sets the situational stage for problematic issues. Verse three moves to a solution and then to another problem. Worship is a solution. Worship is surrendering and sacrificing man’s will unto God. We should put ourselves on the altar as a living sacrifice at all times but – especially when we come into the presence of the Lord. Today men are not required to offer animal sacrifices. Worship is key to man’s relationship with God. However, Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas – represent a problem in the House of God.

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

The book of Exodus paints a picture of God’s laws and judgments. Exodus 23, points out the feast of the Lord. In those days, the Israelites were commanded to travel to Jerusalem for three annual feasts per year. Everyone traveled to Shiloh because it was the center of worship.

14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. 15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) 16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. Exodus 23:14-16

Verse 3 mentions the (2) sons of Eli, Hoph’ni and Phin’-e-has, in the temple. They were in the house of God totally disregarding Hi laws and openly committing sin. Eli’s sons acted in wicked ways. Eli’s sons took a three-pronged fork and ate whatever meat they brought out of the pot when sacrificing an animal. This behavior totally rebelled against the law for priests, who were commanded to eat the breast and upper thigh of the animals (Leviticus 7:30–34). Eli’s sons were sleeping with the women who were dedicated to the service of the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:22). This was against God’s law forbidding adultery (Exodus 20:14).

Does corruption in God’s house interfere with worship? Elkanah brought his family to Shiloh each year because of God’s commanded feasts. Hannah was obedient to follow her husband and God’s laws. However, she was more concerned with serenading God in His presence. Hannah was childless and she needed a miracle from God.

Hannah’s main goal was to worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness. What if Eli’s sons behavior with sacrifices – caused God not to accept a tainted sacrifice? What if God did not hear her prayers because she did not offer a worthy sacrifice? Do you feel as though someone is blocking or hindering your prayers? Hannah was in a “Situation that Seemed Hopeless”. Nevertheless Hannah had a plan.

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Luke 18:1

12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Matthew 21:12-13