Hannah's Heart

In 1 & 2 Samuel, we are introduced to Elkanah a Ramathain from the hill country of Ephraim, a descendant of Joseph. He had two wives, Peninnah, who had children, and Hannah, who had none. So every year when Elkanah would go up to Shiloh to do the yearly sacrifice, he would give portions of meat to Peninnah and her children, but because he loved Hannah so much he would give her double portions.

“Because the Lord had closed Hannah's womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.” 1 Samuel 1:6-7

It was a horrible situation for Hannah. When I was in my late 20's, I wanted to get pregnant, but it never happened. There was a woman I worked with who had been married for only a few years. She knew how bad my husband and I were trying, so she came up to me and said, “I'm so sorry. I'm pregnant.” That was the most horrible thing anyone had ever said to me. Why did she say it that way? If she would have just said, “Hey I'm pregnant,” I would have been happy for her. But I cried. I had to get up and walk away so no one would see me crying. I didn't want anything to do with her or to see the photos of her baby when she was born. But, because I'm a nice person, I did. I sucked up the hurt and smiled through it.

The common thread that weaves Hannah's story and ours, according to First 5: “We can all be found desperately wanting something that we see the Lord giving to other women. We see Him blessing them in the very areas He's withholding from us. And while these other women may not be obnoxious like Peninnah in their reminders of their blessing and our lack, it's increasingly painful each time we see a reminder. We look at them, and feel set aside.(Lysa Terkeurst)” And that's how I felt that day, being reminded that I wasn't pregnant and this other woman was. Just as Hannah felt.

Hannah's husband asked her why she was crying. “Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?” (v.8) So she got up and went to the doorpost of the tent of worship where Eli was sitting in his chair.

“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.” (vs 10&11) She kept pressing in. She sought God, lifted up her pain and gave Him a promise.

Eli is watching her pray in her heart, moving her lips, but her voice wasn't heard. He thought she was drunk. But as Hannah explains, Eli leaves her with a blessing.

Read this next passage carefully. “Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah.” This is where we should be. Even before God answered her prayer, she was totally changed, content, and worshiped God.

“The changes in her heart and in her actions were a result of her prayer.” (L.Terkeurst)

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-12

Hannah had faith that God would answer her and she would repay Him by giving Him the very son she so wanted. Such a sweet and beautiful heart and God knew she would honor her promise. “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” (v20). It didn't happen right away.

Sometimes, “God loves us too much to answer our prayer at any other time than the right time (L. Terkeurst). “ And it was Samuel's time. As we keep reading, Eli's sons,Hophni and Phinehas, were scoundrels. It was time to clean this Levitical house.


There's more to Hannah's story.....will post this week.

Quotes are taken from First 5's devotional Bible study series, 1-2 Samuel. To order your copy go to P31ministries.com/bookstore or visit link for a free download of their First 5 app for Android and Iphone/Ipad.