Scripture References:
1 Samuel 1:1-28, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, 1 Samuel 2:19, 1 Samuel 25:12
Name Meaning:
grace, graciousness, or favor
Introduction:
In a world where a woman’s worth and value was measured by the children she bore for her husband, being barren was a curse worse than death. Hannah was not the first barren wife in the Bible, but she was one of the more pious of those recorded.
Lesson:
Hannah was the beloved and barren wife of Elkanah. His other wife, Penninah, had blessed him with many children. Yet she was not a woman of appealing character, which we see as she taunts poor Hannah for her barrenness. This is not the first time in Scripture that we see a second wife boasting about her own children and making the barren wife feel less than worthy. But it IS the first time we see a woman who gives her barrenness to God and begs Him for help with it. In the past the women begged their husbands to give them children, not God.
Hannah demonstrates strengths which are often overlooked by people today. Her story reveals the pain many women experience of not being “enough,” not being able to provide, and feeling less than a full woman due to being unable to provide children, yet she shows courage and faith to overcome that pain through a deep faith in God and in His provisions.
We first learn of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:1-2:
“There was a certain man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah . Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.”
We see that Hannah was barren and Peninnah had children. We later see that Peninnah taunted poor Hannah, making her miserable and furthering her shame. 1 Samuel 1:6 6
“And her rival used to provoke her sorely, to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb.” We know that Hannah wanted children very much. At this time women’s worth was based on their wifely duties – providing children and caring for the family. A woman who could not do this was not worthwhile, so those who were barren were socially unacceptable and pitied. Whether it was the view the people of the times had or her own personal desires, Hannah wanted children so badly that she would weep and stop eating. Her husband who loved her greatly would ask “Am I not better than 10 sons?” Yet even though her husband loved her so much it was still not the desire of her heart – to be a mother.
The story continues in 1 Samuel 1:9-11:
“After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the LORD. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD, and wept bitterly. She made this vow: ‘O LORD of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a Nazirite until the say of his death, He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.’ “
What a promise! As a mother myself I cannot imagine giving my child to the temple before he was even born, to be raised and educated. I am amazed at the strength and faith of this woman who turned to God and presented herself before the Lord with such passion and faith that even the priest of the temple thought her to be drunk.
And what is exciting about the story happens in 1 Samuel 1:17-18: “Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.’ Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was no longer sad.”
She had complete faith in God to provide and she received hope from Eli. She went home with a peace about her that only comes from God. A peace that passes all understanding! Isn’t God awesome? He truly blesses us and gives us comfort when we are in need… all for simply turning to Him and sharing our hearts. He already knows what is on our minds, so why do we not give it to Him and let Him fill us with His peace?
And Hannah did not go back on her word. She vowed that her child would be dedicated to the Lord and when he was weaned, she did as she promised. 1 Samuel 1:24-28:
“When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh; and the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. And she said, ‘Oh my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence praying to the LORD. For this child I prayed; and the LORD has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he is given to the LORD.’ She left him there for the LORD.”
Would you be able to say goodbye to your long wished for child? If you have not read this story, I would encourage you to read it now. Eli had some very bad kids of his own and did nothing to correct them. Hannah, knowing this, still gave her own child to a man who had failed at raising his own children dedicated to serving the Lord as was intended by their birthright. How her heart must have broken when she said goodbye the first time – the child she so longed for, that took her so long to get, was only in her arms until being weaned and dedicated.
But Hannah does not mourn or speak of sadness. Instead, her heart exalts God, as we can see in her beautiful prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10:
“Hannah prayed and said, ‘My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. There is no Holy One like the LORD, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let no arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves our for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail. The LORD! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed.”
We see that she continued to visit her son and provide for him even though he was being raised by the priests. 2 Samuel 2:19
“His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, ‘May the LORD repay you with children by this woman for the gift that she made to the LORD’; and then they would return to their home. And the LORD took note of Hannah; she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.”
Hannah’s sacrifice is not forgotten. God blessed her for her faithfulness! She had more children!
What can we learn from Hannah? That all we must do is turn to God with our needs and He will bless us. If it is His will, He provides for our heart’s desires in His timing. He is amazing and we simply need to turn to Him and pour out our hearts to Him. Hannah is a beautiful example of faith in God to provide. She did not seek her husband to provide but turned to God and poured out her heart with pure passion and longing. Learn from Hannah and turn to God today. Pour out your heart to Him and trust Him to provide for your needs and wants.
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