Hannah, a central figure in the opening chapters of 1 Samuel, is a poignant example of faith and perseverance in the face of personal anguish. Her account unfolds during the period of the judges, a time marked by spiritual and moral chaos in Israel. Hannah's narrative is primarily found in 1 Samuel 1:1-20, where her distress and subsequent prayer are vividly depicted.

Background and Context

Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, had children, but Hannah was barren. This barrenness was a source of deep personal sorrow and societal shame for Hannah, as children were considered a blessing and a sign of divine favor in ancient Israel. Peninnah, perhaps out of jealousy or rivalry, would provoke Hannah severely, exacerbating her distress (1 Samuel 1:6-7).

Hannah's Distress

Hannah's distress was multifaceted. She faced the cultural stigma of childlessness, the emotional pain of unfulfilled desires, and the taunting of Peninnah. Despite Elkanah's attempts to comfort her, saying, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" (1 Samuel 1:8), Hannah's sorrow was profound. Her distress drove her to seek solace in the presence of the Lord at the tabernacle in Shiloh.

Hannah's Prayer

In her anguish, Hannah turned to God in fervent prayer. Her prayer is a model of heartfelt supplication and vow-making. She "wept bitterly" and made a vow, saying, "O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head" (1 Samuel 1:10-11). This vow indicates her willingness to dedicate her future son to lifelong service to God, reflecting the Nazirite vow described in Numbers 6.

Hannah's prayer was so intense that Eli, the priest, initially mistook her silent, fervent prayer for drunkenness. Upon realizing her sincerity, Eli blessed her, saying, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him" (1 Samuel 1:17).

Divine Response

The Lord remembered Hannah, and in due time, she conceived and bore a son, whom she named Samuel, meaning "heard of God," because she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD" (1 Samuel 1:20). True to her vow, once Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh and dedicated him to the Lord's service, expressing her gratitude and fulfillment of her promise.

Hannah's account is a testament to the power of prayer and the faithfulness of God. Her distress led her to a deeper reliance on God, and her prayer life exemplifies the earnestness and sincerity that believers are encouraged to emulate. Her narrative also sets the stage for the significant role her son Samuel would play in the history of Israel as a prophet, priest, and judge.