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.
Approximately 6.1 million women in the US are affected by the struggle with infertility. That is the entire population of the state of Minnesota! With that significant number, it is reasonably possible you either have experienced infertility yourself or know someone who has.
Hannah's struggle with infertility holds the same heartbreaking sadness, frustrations, longing, and pain that still exist today. It is an affliction since God created us and is well documented in the Bible. There are lessons from Hannah in the Bible that we can apply to our lives.
Hannah's circle of support was small compared to what we have available today. There were no doctors to consult, no internet to ask questions and get answers, no wide-ranging support groups to lean on.
Motherhood might have been the deepest desire of many women in Bible times. Bearing children (especially sons) earned her status and ensured the continuation of a family line and inheritance. Along with keeping up the household, it was their highest aspiration. To suffer from infertility was painful.
What Does the Bible Say About Hannah?
How many years did Hannah pray for a son? The Bible does not say exactly, but we know Hannah's infertility went on for years. Her husband's extremely fertile and cruel second wife, Peninnah, taunted and provoked Hannah regularly to irritate her. This caused Hannah such deep sorrow that she would weep until she could not even eat.
Hannah could have retaliated against Peninnah. She could have complained endlessly to her husband and protested against her situation as unfair. However, she did none of these things. She showed grace, humility, and restraint. She trusted that God knows and sees the deeds being said and done against her and leaves it in God's hands.
Hannah's Promise
Hannah "was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord." Hannah's misery peaks at one of the required feast pilgrimages. In 1 Samuel 1:10, She makes a vow to God- if He gives her a son, she will give him back to God for His service. She shows deep submission to God as she asks Him to pay special attention to her prayers for a son.
Hannah displays her powerful prayer life. She prays silently and "in her heart" to God. It reveals her intimate relationship with God, as prayer was typically done aloud. She tells Eli, the temple priest, that she was "pouring out her soul" to the Lord.
Hannah's Signs of Spiritual Maturity
Tradition dictated that Jews pray aloud, but as Hannah prayed, her lips moved. Eli notices Hannah's lips moving and hearing no sound, assuming she is drunk. He publicly rebukes her. Hannah defends herself against this insensitive accusation and rightly protests that she was only in earnest prayer. She asks him not to think of her as a "wicked woman," but only one who is pouring out her grief and anguish to her God.
Even when Hannah's character is disparaged, she chooses to respectfully but firmly explain her situation to Eli. She acknowledges his position of authority and shows him respect. She could have lashed out in her deep sadness, anxiety, and distress, but she shows spiritual maturity instead.
Eli senses Hannah's earnest and honest spirit and tells her to "go in peace" and adds the kind response that he hopes God answers her prayer. Feeling reassured, she leaves and returns to eat at the feast.
Hannah remained hopeful that God would answer her prayer, even though she had pleaded for many years for a child. She trusted God with her hopes and dreams, wants and disappointments, and emotions.
Hannah's struggle with infertility shows us that it is ok to grieve and be sad regarding infertility or any affliction. Her great faithfulness in continuing to turn to God and her strength of character did not take away her intense emotions and desires for a child. God did not rebuke her for being discontent in her infertility. He understood her feelings and heard every fervent prayer she spoke throughout this challenging season of her life.
Hannah shows us that we can honestly express our desires to God. Speaking aloud of our desires, pain, frustrations, and stresses can give us comfort, hope, and peace in our sorrow and pain. Hannah trusted God to work out the details of her life, and so can we.
Hannah and Samuel
God answered Hannah's prayers for a son, and at just the right time, she gave birth to Samuel. God's timing was perfect. He knew the exact timing for Samuel to be born and the type of mother Samuel needed.
Samuel grew up to be a great prophet. He served as a priest and a judge. God used Samuel to establish the kingship of Israel. His important role in history was made possible by Hannah's trust and faith in God's timing.
