Hannah

*Hannah’s story is told in 1 Samuel 1-2

Who is Hannah?

  • Hannah is one of the two wives of Elkanah, the other being Peninnah. Unfortunately, Hannah is barren, causing her deep distress. Her rival, Peninnah, provokes her severely due to her inability to bear children.
  • In her desperation, Hannah turns to God, praying for a child. She makes a vow to dedicate her son to God’s service if her prayer is answered. God hears her prayer, and she gives birth to a son whom she names Samuel.

Strengths and Accomplishments

  • Faith: Despite her personal suffering, Hannah remains steadfast in her faith, turning to God in her time of need.
  • Dedication: Hannah fulfills her vow to God by dedicating Samuel to serve under the priest Eli at the temple, demonstrating her deep devotion.
  • Mother of a Prophet: Hannah’s most significant accomplishment is arguably becoming the mother of Samuel, who played a crucial role in Israel’s history.

Weaknesses and Mistakes

  • The Bible doesn’t explicitly state any direct weaknesses or mistakes attributed to Hannah. However, like all human beings, she was not perfect and certainly had her moments of doubt and despair, particularly regarding her barrenness.

Lessons from Hannah’s Life

  • Prayer and Faith: Hannah teaches us the power of prayer and steadfast faith in God during periods of personal crisis.
  • Dedication to God: Her dedication to fulfill her vows to God, regardless of personal cost, exemplifies the value of honoring commitments made to God.
  • The Role of Suffering: Her life illustrates how suffering can sometimes be a conduit for God’s blessings, paving the way for a greater plan.

Key Verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:10-11 (NIV): “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
  • 1 Samuel 1:19-20 (NIV): “Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked the Lord for him.'”