Hannah - Woman of Faith

Hannah is a good example of long suffering, patient faith. We find her story recorded in the first book of Samuel. Hannah and Peninnah are the wives of Elkanah an Ephraimite. It is the time of the Judges' ruling Israel.

Peninnah had borne Elkanah children, but Hannah was barren because the Lord had closed her womb. This was a source of anguish and bitterness to Hannah; because Peninnah provoked her about being childless. 1 Samuel 1:6, 7, "(6) and her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. (7) So it was, year after year, when she went to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat."

The tabernacle of the Lord in those days was in Shiloh. 1 Samuel 1:9-11 continues the story. "(9) So Hannah arose after they finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord. (10) And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. (11) Then she made a vow and said, '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 male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head'."

Now Hannah was praying silently, but her lips were moving. Eli the priest thought she was drunk. 1 Samuel 1:14, "so Eli said to her, 'How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!" Hannah then explained to Eli that she was not drunk but was pouring out her complaint and grief to the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:17, Then Eli answered and said, 'Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked Him." Hannah went away relieved and ate a meal and was no longer sad. In due process of time Hannah gave birth to a son and called him Samuel (which means 'Heard by God').

Let's put this all in perspective. It was the great hope and desire of every Israelite woman to be the one chosen by God to give birth to the Messiah. So it was a cruel blow for an Israelite woman to be childless. Hannah's anguish was doubled by her rival Peninnah's taunting provocations. Yet Hannah year after year did not give up hope. She knew in her heart that the God of Israel could intervene and make it possible for her to have a child.

In faith she vowed to the Lord that if He gave her a male child she would give him to the Lord for the duration of his life. Samuel the Prophet, and Judge of Israel, was the end result of her faith in God!

What is the lesson for you and me? Sometimes we are put through trials and testings that can go on for years. Do we have the type of faith Hannah displayed and ultimately triumphed with?

Read for yourself Hannah's beautiful prayer in 1 Samuel chapter 2; as she exults in her God.

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted]

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