Bible Women: Hannah - An Answered Prayer

1 Samuel 1:1 - 2:21

Hannah's story presents a beautiful example of love, submission, prayer, praise and worship.  She was a most godly woman.

We meet Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:2.  She is one of two wives of Elkanah. V2 tells us that Hannah had no children, but that Peninnah, the other wife, had children.  Hannah's husband went up each year to worship and sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh where Eli the priest was there with his two sons Hophni and Phinehas. (V3) and his family went with him.  V4-5 tell us that while Penninah  and her children were given portions, "unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb."  This is a testing time for Hannah, but the Lord knew her heart.  V6-7 tell us of the cruelty of Peninnah "her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb." Peninnah is called Hannah's adversary, and there is no mention of her ever doing a kind thing.  Perhaps she was jealous because she knew that Elkanah loved Hannah the most.

V7 tells us that these provocations went on year by year, and "therefore she (Hannah) wept, and did not eat."  Elkanah does not understand why Hannah is so upset, V8 "then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

In V9 they have gone to Shiloh again, and "... Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD." and now, V10-11 Hannah being in "bitterness of soul, she prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said "O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head." With this prayer we learn that Hannah believes in her heart that the LORD could open her womb and give her a child, and not only that but a boy. She shows great faith by being willing to submit to the LORD's will and promises to give the baby back to the LORD.

Hannah's prayer is a silent prayer, between her and the LORD.  So great a request is made is secret. V12 "and it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.  Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken" and tells her to V14 "put away thy wine from thee."   but Hannah said V15 "No my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD" Eli answers V17 "Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him."  V18 "and she said Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad" Hannah is trusting the LORD.

The very next day, after worshipping before the LORD they returned home and V19 "Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her." and V20 "it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel saying, because I have asked him of the LORD" (V20). Hannah's prayer for a child, a boy child, is answered. Now, when the time for the yearly sacrifice comes,V22 "Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever."  And then, Hannah fulfills her vow, V24 "and when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young." On that day V25 "they slew a bullock and brought the child to Eli" and Hannah speaks to Eli, the priest (V26-28) "And she said, Oh my lord, as they soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.  For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:  Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD.  And he worshipped the LORD there". And then Hannah prays, a beautiful prayer of praise and worship similar to that of Mary, the mother of Jesus when she went to see Elisabeth.(Luke 1: 46-55) 1 Samuel 2:1-10 "And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.   There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.  Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.  The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.  They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased:; so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.  The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.  The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them.  He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.  The adversaries of the LORD shall be  broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed."

After that Chp 2:18-21 "Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.  Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.  And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, the LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD.  And they went unto their own home.  And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters.  And the child Samuel grew before the LORD."  Imagine Hannah turning over her little child to the service of the LORD, to see him only once a year at the annual sacrifice, when she brings him a little coat that she had made. The faithfulness of her vow, and the love of a mother.  She loved him so much, yet she chose to fulfill her vow. Her story remains a testimony of her great faith in God.

There are many applications to our lives as Christians we can learn from Hannah -

1. Hannah was submissive in that she went with her husband to the yearly sacrifice. Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." 1 Peter 3:1 "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands;....."

2. 1 Samuel 1:5 tells us that the LORD had shut up Hannah's womb.  We would do well to remember that children are indeed a gift of the Lord.

3. When Peninnah provoked Hannah, she remained quiet.  Although she was very, very sad she did not retaliate. She did what we all should do, she cast her burden upon the LORD, the one who loved her most. 1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you."

4. Hannah's prayer was silent, she did not seek attention, or cry out for all to hear.  It was a heartfelt prayer  between her and the LORD. Matthew 6:6 "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."

5.After praying, Hannah was at peace to leave the matter in God's hands, trusting him. Philippians 4:6-7 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus".

6. Hannah fulfilled her vow by giving back the child she had prayed for.  She was faithful. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.  Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."

7. Hannah's prayer was full of praise and worship.  She loved the LORD. Psalm 95:6 "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker."  Psalm 63:3 "Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."

8. 2 Samuel 2:10 is prophetic in that it speaks of judging the ends of the earth, and exalting the horn of his anointed. Psalm 96:10-13 "Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice.  Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness and the people with his truth."

vcg/July 2015