Infertility was God’s judgment on wicked women, or such was the ancient Israelite mindset. Barren women were openly mocked and scorned. After all, if God were against them, why shouldn’t everyone be against them?

This was Hannah’s world, and it was wrecking her, especially as she endured the taunts of her rival.

But even in her brokenness, Hannah clung to her faith. She took her plea to the Lord and made a vow from which she did not back down. And all Israel benefitted from the sacrifice of a faithful mother.

Her Annual Trip of Shame

Each year, Hannah and her husband, Elkanah, would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. But they weren’t alone. Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, and their children traveled along.

We won’t get into a commentary on the ancient practice of polygamy, but you can imagine these were not fun times. Peninnah mocked Hannah. Hannah cried and refused to eat. Year after year. Rinse and repeat.

And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than 10 sons?”—1 Samuel 1:8 (ESV)

Yes, Hannah had her husband’s love. But she had an even more important go-to: the God of the universe, the One who sees and knows and loves and is in control of all. So Hannah went to the temple to pray.

She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”—1 Samuel 1:10-11 (ESV)

As Eli the priest saw Hannah’s lips moving silently, he assumed she was drunk. But he realized what he instead saw was a grief-stricken woman pleading before the Lord. He told her to “go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to Him” (verse 17). So she did, and so He did.

A Promise Kept, a Prophet Raised

Hannah eventually bore a son named Samuel, whose name means “God has heard.” Until Samuel was weaned—sometime between ages 2 and 4—she skipped the annual trek to Shiloh. But once her son was weaned, she kept her promise.

Hannah then brought Samuel to the temple, where she saw Eli for the first time since he sent her on her way with a blessing. She was returning the blessing. She would fulfill her vow.

And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”—1 Samuel 1:26-28 (ESV)

Then she broke out in a lengthy prayer of praise that began: “My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation” (1 Samuel 2:1 ESV). 

Her annual trip to Shiloh, the one she once dreaded, became an opportunity not only to worship the Lord but to visit her son, whom she gifted a robe every year. And God restored to her what she had given to Him five times over.

Indeed the Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord.—1 Samuel 2:21 (ESV)

Samuel became Israel’s last judge and first prophet, as well as a priest and the anointer of Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David. God heard Hannah, and Samuel heard from God. Samuel lived to know the Lord and make Him known among his countrymen.

What We Can Learn from Her

The world saw Hannah as a woman overlooked by a judgmental God. Hannah saw herself as a woman in the hands of a faithful God. When life got hard, she prayed harder. 

And here’s where her story really hits: Hannah recognized children are a gift from God. He entrusts them to our care, but they remain His. Hannah knew she was giving to the Lord what was already His.

Pray like Hannah, even through your tears. Remain faithful like Hannah, even when it means giving up a part of yourself. And watch what He does as a result of your faithfulness. Your faithfulness will never exceed His.

________________________

This is Part 19 in a series about biblical women—some named, some not, some honorable, some less so. But all have earned a place in scripture, and all have important lessons to teach us.