“And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat. Then Elkanah her husband said to her, ‘Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?’ So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.” 1 Samuel 1:4-10
Tuned In
Hannah (which means “graciousness”) was barren and wept in anguish for the son for which she yearned. Her husband, Elkanah, a Levite, deeply loved her and attempted to console her. She went into prayer and promised God that if she bore a son she would give him to the Lord all the days of the boy’s life.
She may have been without child, but she was not without communion with her Lord. God granted her favor and she became pregnant, gave birth and named the child Samuel (which means “God hears.”) Hannah nursed him until he was weaned and, knowing that God had promised her a son who would walk with the Lord, she did not waiver from her pledge to God. She returned Samuel to learn under Eli the priest about the greater things of God.
Our practice is to spiritually give our children to God, not to literally take them to another city and leave the child there with another person. Being the mother that I am, I know that I would have lamented over going home and leaving my child behind. Hannah was following God’s lead and I am sure that she wavered just a little as she walked away from her much awaited for and beloved child but still realizing that she had dedicated him to God with love. God later abundantly graced Hannah with the birth of three more sons and two daughters. Our children are so very precious to God. Psalm 127:3 teaches us, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
Our communication with God is what draws us closer to Him. Going to church is a vital part of our ability to learn more about our Lord, to worship in song and prayer, asking others to pray for us, and to renew relationships with fellow believers. Daily study in the Word, singing to the Lord and prayer are all worship and are imperative to our Christian growth.
We see Hannah as a person who went to the temple, worshiped by bringing her tithes, and communicating with God. She is an example of a faith-based woman. We don’t have to “get away” to have time with God. We need to stop in our tracks and take the time to give thanks for the blessings that He bestows upon us, and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in our daily walk. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Father God, we thank You for Hannah’s example to us today. You are the God of our salvation and our Horn of Plenty. I ask You to bless each one as she goes along her daily path. In the glorious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.