Hannah had always longed for a child. She prayed and begged the Lord for a son, but year after year, she remained barren. She was married to Elkanah, who loved her deeply and tried to comfort her, but nothing could fill the void in her heart.
One day, Hannah went to the temple to pray. She poured out her heart to God, tears streaming down her face. She made a vow to the Lord, saying that if He would give her a son, she would dedicate him to His service.
As she prayed, the priest Eli saw her and thought she was drunk. But Hannah explained that she was not drunk, but rather pouring out her soul to the Lord. Eli blessed her, and she left the temple feeling lighter than she had in years.
Months later, Hannah discovered that she was pregnant. She was overjoyed and thanked the Lord for His goodness. When her son Samuel was born, she kept her promise and dedicated him to the service of the Lord.
Samuel grew up in the temple, learning from Eli and serving the Lord faithfully. Hannah visited him every year, bringing him a new robe that she had made for him. She was so proud of her son and grateful to God for answering her prayers.
Years passed, and Samuel became a prophet. He served as a judge over Israel and led the people back to God. Hannah’s faith had been rewarded beyond her wildest dreams. She had prayed for a son, and God had given her a prophet who would serve Him all the days of his life.
Hannah’s story is a reminder that God hears our prayers and answers them in His time and in His way. She was a woman of great faith and courage, who trusted in the Lord even when her circumstances seemed hopeless. May we all learn from her example and trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness, even in the darkest of times.
Biblical Reference
1 Samuel 1:1-8: This passage introduces us to Elkanah, a man with two wives – Peninnah and Hannah. Although Peninnah has children, Hannah is barren and deeply distressed about it.
1 Samuel 1:9-18: In this chapter, we see how Hannah pours out her heart to God at the tabernacle in Shiloh and vows that if God gives her a son, she will dedicate him to His service.
1 Samuel 1:19-28: After returning home from Shiloh, Elkanah sleeps with Hannah and she becomes pregnant. She gives birth to a son named Samuel (which means “heard by God”) and fulfills her vow by bringing him to serve under Eli the priest at the tabernacle when he is just a young boy.
2 Samuel 2:11 2 Samuel 21:1: The song of Hannah.