The Story Of Hannah In The Bible

The Story Of Hannah In The Bible

KEY SCRIPTURES: 1 Samuel 1:1-28, 2:1-21

1 Samuel 1:28 “Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.”

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INTRODUCTION

Hannah in the bible was said to be married to Elkanah the son of Jeroham. Elkanah had another wife called Peninnah and it was recorded in the Bible that he was a man that knows God. He does go to Shiloh yearly to worship God during the time when Prophet Eli was the priest at Shiloh. Peninah the co-wife of Hannah had children, but Hannah had none, and this caused sorrow for her because Peninnah often provoked her and made mockery of her. Yearly, after the sacrifice when Elkanah shared portions to his wives, he gave Peninnah and her children their portions, but He always gave more worthy portions to Hannah, and this usually made Peninnah angry and jealous leading to her provoking Hannah and making jest of her. 

There was one time, Peninnah provoked Hannah as usual and mock her about her barrenness, Hannah was so sad and started crying that her husband asked her the reasons for her tears and even questioned her that is he not better to her than children, but Hannah didn’t answer her husband but went up to the altar and prayed to God to give her a son and even made a vow to God on things she will do if God answered her prayers. Prophet Eli thought Hannah was drunk when he could only see her lips moving but no words came out of her mouth, he then rebuked Hannah, but Hannah responded that she was praying bitterly to God and Prophet Eli replied that God will grant her request. God indeed granted the request of Hannah and gave her a son called Samuel and when the child was three years old, Hannah fulfilled the vow she made to God that the child will dwell in the temple of God all the days of his life by bringing him to the temple to be with Prophet Eli. After Hannah brought Samuel to the temple of God, Prophet Eli prayed for her and God blessed her with more children, three boys and two girls. From the story of Hannah, God indeed proved that when we call on Him, He will answer us and that shows us great and mighty things when we don’t fail to fulfill the vows made after He has done it for us. There are many biblical lessons from the story of Hannah and in this article, few of the lessons will be mentioned.

1. HANNAH KNEW GOD: Jeremiah 33:3

Hannah just didn’t go to Shiloh because that was the yearly practice of her husband, but she knew God personally. She knew only God can solve her barrenness and make her a joyful mother. She knows the character of God that it is only God that can give perfect gifts that was why when her co-wife made mockery of her, she didn’t start fighting her but instead went to God in prayers to table her request and even knowing the power of a vow that vow opens answered door quickly. As Believers, we can emulate the attitude of going to God in prayers when we are in need. Instead of grumbling or feeling sad, we should endeavor to pray using the prayer pattern of Hannah by making a vow so that we can get answers to prayers quickly. We should learn to back our prayers up with sowing a seed in order to quickly open the gates of heaven for speedily answers to prayers made.

2. HANNAH HAD FAITH IN GOD: James 1:6-8

After Prophet Eli blessed her, we discovered that Hannah never doubted God, she believed God completely and that singular act opened her womb to conceive a child she requested for. She never doubted God because after the prayers, she felt joyful and even ate her food and drinks and God rewarded her. As Christian, that is another lesson to learn from the story for Hannah which means that we should never doubt God when we pray to Him. We should have so much faith in God that after praying to Him, we should wear a joyful look as if we have gotten the answers to the prayers already. We should never be sorrowful but believe completely in the greatness of God to make things happen as desired.

3. SHE FULFILLED HER PROMISE TO GOD

When Hannah made a vow to God, she didn’t waste time to fulfill it or be reminded to fulfill it. She wholeheartedly brought the child back to God with praises in her mouth. She never rejected making a vow to God or fulfilling the vow even though that was her only child at the time. She believed God will take care of the child. As Christians, we should not try to make empty promises to God when we need something better or be cajoled to fulfill our vows to God after God had done His part, but we should like Hannah learn to fulfill our vows wholeheartedly with praises and worship the God who answered our prayers. 

4. HANNAH BELIEVED IN GOD’S PLAN FOR SAMUEL 

Hannah believed God had great plans for Samuel after she conceived when she made the vow. Even though she might not understand God’s plan for Samuel at that time, she fulfilled her own part and God’s plan for the child came to pass as He was a great prophet in the land of Israel and was well respected. God has a plan for His creatures and as believers, we might not fully get the whole plans, but we should trust in the process that what He destined us to be, we will surely achieve it if we keep to our own side of the bargain by being faithful and living in purity and righteousness.

5. GOD REWARDED HANNAH

After Hannah brought back the child, Samuel to God with cheerfulness and praises as promised, Prophet Eli blessed her, and God honored her by rewarding her with more children. God tested her and she passed and was rewarded. God looks at the heart and a sincere heart is always pleasing to God. As Christians, we should develop a sincere heart, be trustworthy and be ready to fulfill all vows and promises. In the end, God will always reward us with much more than we expected from him.

CONCLUSION

Hannah did her part, and she was rewarded for it, even the child given to her was used to change a nation. The child became an obedient and great servant of God. Hannah taught Samuel how to have faith in God and completely depend on Him. As Christians, we should learn to depend on God no matter the situation or circumstances we might be facing. God is waiting for you to call on Him and He will always respond to His beloved disciples. We should also learn to teach our children the ways of God for them to align with God’s plan for their life and destiny.