In 1 Samuel chapters 1 and 2 we read about Elkanah and his two wives Peninnah and Hannah. Peninnah had sons and daughters but Hannah was barren. Every year Elkanah and his two wives would go to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Each time Peninnah would provoke Hannah because she was barren. She would make Hannah weep and feel miserable because the Lord had closed her womb.
Hannah never retaliated. Hannah went into the tabernacle and poured out her heart to the Lord. Then Hannah made a vow to the Lord. In verse 11
1 Samuel 1:11
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.” (NKJV)
Hannah’s mouth was moving but no sound was heard. Eli the priest was watching her and thought that she was drunk. In verse 14 Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!”.
Hannah responded in verses 15 and 16 and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 16 Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.”
Eli replies in verse 17 is as follows: “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”
The Lord remembered Hannah and blessed her with a son, Hannah named Samuel.
Hannah did not go with Elkanah to the yearly sacrifices until Samuel was weaned. In verses 27 and 28, Hannah speaks to Eli, For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.
Imagine how she must have felt leaving her little boy and only seeing him once a year. Hannah was faithful to the Lord; she kept her promise. God blessed her with 3 sons and 2 daughters. Hannah made the right decision, instead of retaliating and sinning she went to God and asked for His help and look at the blessings she received from the Lord. She was a faithful, God-fearing example to us. We have such a wonderful God who listens to our prayers. We are so blessed.
Read 1 Samuel 2: 1-10 Hannah’s prayer.