Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. And even though he valued Peninnah because she bore him many sons and daughters, he loved Hannah who remained barren. Each year Elkanah would take his two wives to Shiloh to present a sacrifice to God and worship the Lord at the Tabernacle. And every year Hannah would endure insults hurled at her by Peninnah because “the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb”. (v. 1:5) Inconsolable, Hannah turned to the only one who could help her...God.
During our times of anguish there is much we can glean from Hannah’s story. Like Hannah, the first thing we need to do is go to God in prayer. “She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly” (v.10) Hannah knew that it was only God who could ease her pain, only He could change her circumstances and end her grief. She had faith that “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14) Prayer is a game changer. During the most difficult times Jesus faced, He went off on His own to pray. And following His example we should do the same.
Next Hannah makes a vow to God, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life” (vs, 10-11) Have you ever found yourself bargaining with the Lord if He answers your prayer? Making a vow to God is serious business. Hannah knew that God expected her to fulfill her promise. She understood that walking with the Lord is a two way street of both giving and receiving. God blesses us so that we in turn can bless others. Proverbs 11:25 tells us, “the generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.” Hannah was willing to give back God’s blessing, and He calls us to trust Him enough to do the same.
When she finished her prayer, and received a blessing from the high priest Eli, Hannah “went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” (v. 18) Although her situation hadn’t changed, Hannah didn’t spend any more time in grief and worry. Instead she rejoiced and worshiped before the Lord. Sometimes when we pray to God for the desires of our hearts, His answer is no. Not because He doesn’t love us or want us to be happy, but because He knows best. Hannah didn’t know for sure that God would bless her with the son she so desperately wanted, but regardless while she waited for His answer, she worshiped Him. A wonderful example for us all. Just like Hannah after we place our petitions in God’s loving and capable hands, we need to trust and worship Him while we wait for His answer.
God indeed answered Hannah’s prayer, and she conceived the child she had so languished for. “She gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel saying, ‘Because I have asked him of the Lord’,” (v. 20) Because of God’s faithfulness and her vow to Him, a year after his birth Hannah brought Samuel to the temple where he ministered to the Lord. She then sang a beautiful song of praise and thanksgiving. “My heart exalts in the Lord, my horn is exalted in the Lord, my mouth speaks boldly against my enemies.” (v. 2:1) The Lord, not Samuel was the ultimate source of Hannah’s joy. He answered her prayer, redeemed her from disgrace, and silenced her enemies. How awesome is it when we rejoice in God Himself and not merely in the blessings He gives us. Are you willing and eager to praise Him not only for who He is, but for every prayer answered and every need met? When we do we will experience a joy that can only be found in Him!
