Hannah's Distress and Devotion
Hannah was deeply distressed due to her barrenness and the provocation of her rival, Peninnah. Despite her anguish, she turned to the Lord in prayer. In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears (1 Samuel 1:10).

Vow and Commitment
Hannah made a vow to the Lord, promising that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord all the days of his life. This demonstrates her deep faith and commitment to God (1 Samuel 1:11).

Eli's Misunderstanding and Blessing
Initially, Eli the priest misunderstood Hannah's silent prayer, thinking she was drunk. However, upon realizing her sincerity, he blessed her, saying, Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him (1 Samuel 1:17).

God's Faithfulness
God remembered Hannah, and she conceived and bore a son, Samuel, whose name means heard by God, signifying that God heard her prayers (1 Samuel 1:20).Persistent Prayer
Like Hannah, we should bring our deepest desires and concerns to God in prayer, trusting that He hears us even when we feel unheard.

Faith in God's Timing
Hannah's story reminds us to have faith in God's perfect timing, even when we face delays or disappointments.

Dedication to God
Consider how you can dedicate your blessings and gifts back to God, just as Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord.

Responding to Misunderstanding
When others misunderstand our intentions or actions, we can respond with grace and continue to trust in God's understanding.1. Elkanah
Elkanah is introduced as a man from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. He is described as the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite (1 Samuel 1:1). The Hebrew root of his name, "אֶלְקָנָה" (Elqanah), means "God has created" or "God has possessed."

2. Hannah
Hannah is one of Elkanah's two wives. She is initially barren and deeply distressed by her inability to bear children. Her name in Hebrew, "חַנָּה" (Channah), means "grace" or "favor" (1 Samuel 1:2).

3. Peninnah
Peninnah is Elkanah's other wife, who has children. She is described as Hannah's rival and often provokes her due to her barrenness (1 Samuel 1:2, 1:6). Her name, "פְּנִנָּה" (Peninnah), can be related to the Hebrew word for "pearl" or "coral."

4. Eli
Eli is the priest at the temple in Shiloh. He observes Hannah praying fervently and initially mistakes her for being drunk. He later blesses her, and she eventually bears a son (1 Samuel 1:9, 1:12-17). The name "עֵלִי" (Eli) means "ascended" or "my God."

5. Samuel
Samuel is the son born to Hannah after her prayer to God. She dedicates him to the Lord, and he is raised in the temple under Eli's guidance (1 Samuel 1:20, 1:24-28). His name, "שְׁמוּאֵל" (Shemuel), means "heard by God" or "name of God," reflecting Hannah's prayer being heard by the Lord.1. Ramah
This is the hometown of Elkanah and his family, including Hannah and Peninnah. It is where Elkanah's family resides and where they return after visiting Shiloh. The Hebrew root for Ramah (רָמָה) means "height" or "high place," indicating its elevated location.

2. Shiloh
Shiloh is the religious center where the tabernacle of the LORD is located during this period. Elkanah and his family travel here annually to worship and offer sacrifices to the LORD. It is significant as the place where Hannah prays for a son and later dedicates Samuel to the LORD. The Hebrew root for Shiloh (שִׁלוֹ) can be associated with peace or tranquility, reflecting its role as a spiritual center.1. Elkanah's Family and Annual Worship
Elkanah, a man from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim, had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless. Each year, Elkanah went up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests. (1 Samuel 1:1-3)

2. Hannah's Distress and Peninnah's Provocation
During the annual sacrifice, Elkanah gave portions to Peninnah and her children, but to Hannah, he gave a double portion because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. Peninnah provoked Hannah severely to irritate her, causing Hannah to weep and not eat. (1 Samuel 1:4-7)

3. Elkanah's Consolation to Hannah
Elkanah questioned Hannah, asking why she wept and did not eat, and whether he was not better to her than ten sons. This highlights Elkanah's love and concern for Hannah despite her barrenness. (1 Samuel 1:8)

4. Hannah's Prayer and Vow
Deeply distressed, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. She made a vow, saying, "O LORD of Hosts, if You will indeed look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head." This vow indicates a Nazirite dedication. (1 Samuel 1:9-11)

5. Eli's Misunderstanding and Hannah's Explanation
As Hannah continued praying, Eli observed her mouth moving but heard no voice, leading him to think she was drunk. Hannah explained that she was not drunk but was pouring out her soul before the LORD, speaking out of her great anguish and grief. (1 Samuel 1:12-16)

6. Eli's Blessing and Hannah's Faith
Eli responded by telling Hannah to go in peace and that the God of Israel would grant her petition. Hannah left, her face no longer downcast, demonstrating her faith in God's promise. (1 Samuel 1:17-18)

7. The Birth of Samuel
After returning home, Elkanah knew Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. In due time, Hannah conceived and bore a son, naming him Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him from the LORD." The name Samuel is derived from the Hebrew "Shemuel," meaning "heard of God." (1 Samuel 1:19-20)

8. Hannah's Dedication of Samuel
Hannah did not go up to Shiloh until Samuel was weaned. She told Elkanah that once the child was weaned, she would bring him to appear before the LORD and remain there forever. Elkanah agreed, saying, "Do what seems best to you." (1 Samuel 1:21-23)

9. Presentation of Samuel at Shiloh
After Samuel was weaned, Hannah took him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. They slaughtered the bull and brought the child to Eli. (1 Samuel 1:24-25)

10. Hannah's Fulfillment of Her Vow
Hannah reminded Eli of her previous prayer and declared that the LORD had granted her petition. She then dedicated Samuel to the LORD, saying, "For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD." Samuel worshiped the LORD there, marking the fulfillment of Hannah's vow. (1 Samuel 1:26-28)Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

James 5:16
The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.Pray for the faith to trust in God's timing and sovereignty in your life.
Ask God to help you remain persistent in prayer, even when answers seem delayed.
Seek God's guidance in dedicating your talents and blessings for His glory.
Pray for the grace to respond with understanding and patience when others misunderstand you.

As we reflect on 1 Samuel 1, may we be encouraged by Hannah's example of faith and devotion, trusting that God hears our prayers and is faithful to fulfill His promises.

1. How does Hannah's faith amid her barrenness speak to you personally?

2. What can we learn from the interaction between Hannah and Peninnah?

3. How does the biblical perspective on Hannah's barrenness apply to modern-day struggles?

4. Reflect on the significance of Hannah's vow to God. How does it relate to personal sacrifices in our lives?

5. How does Eli's initial misunderstanding of Hannah's prayer reflect our propensity to judge before understanding the full context?

6. In what ways can you relate to Eli's quick judgment of Hannah?

7. How does Hannah's steadfast faith in God's promise, despite her circumstances, challenge your faith journey?

8. Reflect on the impact of Samuel's birth. How does this event signify divine intervention?

9. Consider the significance of Hannah returning Samuel to the Lord. How does this reflect her faith and integrity?

10. In what situations are you currently being called to demonstrate faith like Hannah's?

11. How does Hannah’s story speak to the power of persistent prayer?

12. How do Hannah's emotional struggles parallel issues in today's society?

13. How does this chapter help us understand the important role women play in God's plan?

14. How do you think Hannah’s story can inspire people facing infertility today?

15. How does Hannah’s devotion to God inspire you in your personal commitments to God?

16. How can Hannah's response to Peninnah's provocation inform the way we respond to antagonistic individuals in our lives?

17. In what ways does Hannah’s faith challenge our understanding of God’s timing?

18. How might this chapter's portrayal of prayer influence your prayer life?

19. How can we apply Hannah’s faithful fulfillment of her vow to God in our own lives?

20. Can you identify a situation in your life where you felt God intervened as He did in Hannah’s life? How does this experience shape your faith?