Hannah Series

Hannah

Hannah was barren - until she meekly asked for a son from God, promising that she would dedicate him to God. Childless as one of the two wives of Elkanah, she prayed for a son, promising to dedicate him to God. Her prayers were answered, and she brought the child Samuel to Shiloh for religious training.

The Narrative About Hannah Can Be Found In 1 Samuel 1:2–2:21. Outside Of The First Two Chapters Of 1 Samuel, She Is Never Mentioned In The Bible.

In the biblical narrative, Hannah is one of the two wives of Elkanah. The other, Peninnah, had given birth to Elkanah's children, but Hannah remained childless. Nevertheless, Elkanah preferred Hannah. According to Lillian Klein, the use of this chiasmus[1] underscores the standing of the women: Hannah is the primary wife, yet Peninnah, his other wife, has succeeded in bearing children. Hannah's status as primary wife and her barrenness bring to mind Sarah and Rebecca in Genesis 17 and Genesis 25. Some think that Elkanah took Peninnah as a second wife because of Hannah's barrenness.

Hannah's prayer

Every year, Elkanah would offer a sacrifice at the Shiloh sanctuary and give Penninah and her children a portion, but he gave Hannah a double portion "because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb" (1 Samuel 1:5, NIV). One day Hannah went up to the Tabernacle and prayed with great weeping (I Samuel 1:10), while Eli the High Priest was sitting on a chair near the doorpost. In her prayer, she asked God for a son, and in return, she vowed to give the son back to God for the service of God. She promised he would remain a Nazarite[2] all the days of his life. The desperation of Hannah's vow indicates that merely bearing a male child would establish her in the community. A few commentators believe their child-bearing capacities demonstrably enhance the value of women.

Vows

Numbers 30:11-13 allows a husband to nullify a vow made by his wife if he registers his objection when he learns of it. However, if he says nothing, the vow is allowed as valid. The next time Elkanah goes to Shiloh, Hannah remains home to care for her child but tells him that she will present the boy to the Lord when he is weaned. Elkanah responds, "Do what you think best." By the time "the child was weaned"—there is some debate as to what age Samuel was dedicated to the Temple—Hannah proves the soundness of her promise by bringing a viable child to serve in the sanctuary, already educated in the ways of the Lord. The quality of one's sacrifice reflected the quality of one's faith.

In Leviticus, provisions were made for restoring vows or pledges in money that would go to the support of the priests and the sanctuary. So Hannah could have chosen that option to fulfill her vow if, on calm reflection, she felt unable to part with him once she had her son.

Hannah is also considered a prophetess. In her song of thanksgiving (1 Samuel 2:1–10), she is inspired "to discern in her own experience the universal laws of the divine economy[3] and recognize its significance for the all the course of the Kingdom of God. "This song may be compared to the "Magnificat," Mary's song of thanksgiving in the New Testament (Luke 1:46–55), but biblical commentator A. F. Kirkpatrick notes that "the Magnificat should be carefully compared with Hannah's song, of which it is an echo rather than an imitation. The resemblance lies in thought and tone more than in actual language and supplies a most delicate and valuable testimony to the appropriateness of this hymn to Hannah's circumstances."

Eli announced another blessing on Hannah, and she conceived three more sons and two daughters, making six in total.

Conventional themes are Hannah's conflict with her rival, barrenness, and longing for a son. Hannah represents the character of the earnest petitioner and grateful worshiper of divine glory. Hannah was an important figure for early English Protestantism, which emphasized the importance of private prayer. The Jerusalem Talmud took Hannah as an example of prayer.

Vows

It should be noted:

• Hannah knew God and knew his character.

• Hannah seeks God honestly and humbly in prayer.

• Hannah demonstrates her faith through obedience, even when it means an extreme personal sacrifice.

• Hannah trusts God and that his plan for Samuel is better than her way or plan.

• Hannah praises God in all circumstances.

• Hannah does not react negatively when provoked.

• Hannah prays fervently in faith. Hannah understood the power of prayer.

• Hannah gives the Lord what matters most to her.

The Pain of Infertility

Lessons about Hannah in the Bible is a beautiful story of pain, hope, and faith.