Hannah Prays To the Lord

1 Samuel 1:1-20

Key Verses 10-11

“In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. And she made a vow, saying, ‘O Lord Almighty,  if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.’ ”

Author and Date: 

Unknown, probably several authors (1Chr 29:29-30) during David’s time

It covers from birth of Samuel (BC 1105-1030) to David’s reign (BC 1011-BC 971)

Historical and Theological Themes: 

(1) Sovereignty of God

Who is the ultimate King? God

Human kings are established by God (1 Sam 9:17, 16:12-13)

(2) Work of the Holy Spirit: Empowering men for tasks: (not salvation)

Anointing Kings (1 Sam10:10, 16:13)

Prophecy (1Sam 10:6, 19:20, 2Sam 23:2) 

Victory in battle (1 Sam 11:6)

(3) Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7:12-16)

He will come through the line of David and establish David’s throne forever. 

David’s life is a foreshadow of Jesus Christ. 

In today’s passage, we can learn multiple lessons in life. 

(1) Importance of Biblical family:

(2) God’s calling for women based on this passage

(3) Prayer/vow in time of sorrow

(4) Providence of God in the life of Hannah, (Israel and the world) 

May God richly bless us to see the providence of God in our lives and press on to pray for our full dedication to Him! 

1. Read verses 1-8. How is Elkanah’s family described? (1,2a) What was the main problem of this family? (2b) What did Elkanah do for Hannah? (3-5a) What did the Lord do to her? (5b) How did the problem affect Hannah? (6, 7) What did Elkanah say to Hannah? (8)

1-1) Read verses 1-8

1 There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. 3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And because the Lord had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Elkanah her husband would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons? ”

1-2) How is Elkanah’s family described? (1, 2a)

a) Elkanah: he was a Levite (1 Chr 6:16-30) 

He lived in the tribe of Ephraim. Levites were scattered to live among the tribes. 

b) One husband and two wives: 

Hannah; more loved by husband, but barren. 

Peninnah; had many children, but less loved by husband. It is possible Elkanah married Peninnah because Hannah was barren. 

c) Locations: 

Ramah (Ramathaim) (v1, 19); located 5 miles north of Jerusalem. 

Shiloh (v3): the central city of Israel; tabernacle was located for almost 400 years. 

1-3) What was the main problem of this family? (2b)

a) Polygamy (v2)

Polygamy was not God’s design (Gen 2:24) but prevalent culture. (Deut 21:15-17)

Elkanah was a Levite, but he lived according to the culture, not the word of God.  

We, believers also live according to the worldly culture, not the word of God. 

We (our behaviors) are products of worldly culture, which is not biblical.  

b) Barrenness of Hannah (v2)

In ancient times, it was the ultimate tragedy for a married woman. 

Without a son, husband cannot inherit his name and estate into the next generation. 

c) Competitive relationship between the two wives. (v6, 7)

Elkanah loved Hannah (more than Peninnah) (v5)

Peninnah was jealous of Hannah for husband’s love

Peninnah had children but Hannah did not. 

Hannah was jealous of Peninnah: Children 

1-4) What did Elkanah do for Hannah? (3-5a) 

a) Went up to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty

As a husband, he was working hard to be faithful in keeping the Law. (v3, Deut 16:1-17)

b) Give a double portion to Hannah because he loved her. 

Although this was originated from his human love, but his obvious partiality for his wives           caused jealousy from Peninnah.

This caused broken relationship between Hannah and Peninnah. 

This show his Lack of understanding of relationship (v5)

1-5) What did the Lord do to her? (5b) 

a) God had closed her womb and made Hannah childless 

God’s sovereignty over the womb is a familiar theme in the Bible (Gen29:31; 30:22)

God has a plan and a purpose for something good in it all. (Rom 8:28) 

b) God has the best plan for Hannah.

God made her to be God-centered woman of prayer. 

Before/during/after pregnancy: all her life.  

God made her to be a mother of a godly child. 

Bear and raise up a godly child (Samuel)

For Israel: God sent Samuel, who saved Israel and established the King, David. 

For God’s world salvation plan: God sent Jesus through David.  

1-6) How did the problem affect Hannah? (6,7) 

a) Problems of Peninnah

She provoked Hannah out of jealousy. 

Possibly make fun of her for not being able to have any child.

Hannah was angry for Peninnah 

She was angry for not being able to have any child.

b) Problems of Husbands

Lack of understanding of relationship (v5)

His partiality for his wives caused jealousy from Peninnah.

Lack of husband’s leadership at home (v7)

The problems at home had been going on years, but he could/did not do anything.

Husband is responsible for his family

Lack of understanding of women’s spiritual needs (v8)

Problems of Hannah

Emotional: responded to the problem emotionally at first, 

Eventually, she responded spiritually

1-7) What did Elkanah say to Hannah? (8)

a) Lack of understanding of God’s calling for women (v8)

Childbearing and nurturing children (God’s calling for women) 

He thought she would be fine without fulfilling God’s calling. 

He thought he valued more than her children. 

Divine Love: Human love is not enough in spiritual problem. 

He thought his human love would be good enough for her. 

He did not know all women/men need divine love. 

He did not know we all must come to God to be fully satisfied

God’s calling for women (wives/daughters)

Childbearing: (1 Tim 2:15)

Only women can do childbearing for the glory of God.

Jesus is from Mary, all the great men and women of God are from women. 

ii) Raising them up as godly children (Titus 2:4)

Women are much better gifted to nurture them when they are young.

Mothers are extremely important for children to grow up.

We are all grown up because of mother’s sacrificial services

iii) Suitable helpers to their husbands (Gen 2:18)

Submission (Eph 5:22,1Pet 3:1), respect (5:33), love (Titus 2:4) to husbands

Wives are absolutely necessary for men to serve God effectively. 

c) Out cultures reject God’s calling for women

i) Against being mother at home: 

Encourage women to get a job and independent. 

ii) Against childbearing: 

Encourage abortion, therefore numbers of children decreases (esp, Europe, US)

iii) Against nurturing children: 

Encourage to send children to babysitters: miss the chance to nurture children 

iv) Against submission to her husband

Encourage women’s independence (against submission and helper to husband)

Denying God’s calling for women destroys the work of God.

We must teach/train our children about God’s calling for women.

2. Read verse 9–11. In bitterness of her soul, what did Hannah do? (10) What was her vow to God? (11) Why did she make a vow to God? (6-7,11) Think about meaning of vow. Can you relate to her situation in making a vow to God? What did she call God and herself in her prayer? (11) 

2-1) Read verse 9–11

9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple. 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord Almighty , if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

2-2) In bitterness of her soul, what did Hannah do? (10)

a) She was in bitterness of soul

Year after year, she was in great anguish due to jealousy, hatred, anger to her rival.

She did not know what to do except being self-pity in bitterness and anguish. 

Her husband did not know how to help her spiritually. 

Although he was faithful to the law, he did not know about the life. 

We all experienced a time of bitterness of soul at some time in our lives. 

Most likely, we did not know what to do. 

b) She wept much. 

Crying is absolutely necessary in time of suffering for those who are/become emotional. 

Release all harmful emotions through tears. 

Let people cry, even Jesus cried. 

It shows we are in the bottom of our life; it shows we are humbled. 

It is time to come to God with humble and desperate hearts.

b) She prayed to the Lord. 

Bring all the bitterness and anger, sorrow to God in prayer. 

Commit the whole situation to God, who cares for you. (1Pet 5:7) 

Time of bitterness is the time to pray to God with faith and humility.  

How hard it is to pray to the Lord in time of pain. 

Yet, the prayer is the only thing we should do. 

c) Prayer in time of pain/suffering

Some people lose their faith in difficult time. 

But real believers came to God with humble heart in time of suffering. 

God uses the time of suffering to make us to be humble and faithful to Him. 

d) Timing of her prayer 

Although Scripture recorded only this prayer, 

Probably she might pray to the Lord all these years even with faith. 

But God’s time had not yet come. 

2-3) What was her vow to God? (11)

a) She made a vow to give her son back to God 

“Please, give me a son; then I will give him back to you, Lord” 

He will serve you all his life as Nazirite (devoted person) (Num 6:1-21)

b) She gave her son to God in a greater dedication. 

He would be already dedicated to God since he would be a Levite. 

Levite’s dedication to the Lord; from age 30-50 (Num 4:2-3)

She wanted her son fully dedicated to God for whole life.  

c) No razor on head: 

It was a public, visible sign to others of the vow.

2-4) Why did she make a vow to God? (6-7,11) 

a) She was in misery

She was in the situation which she cannot get out of by herself. 

b) She was a woman of Prayer 

In the most difficult time, she comes to God in prayer. 

What we do in misery shows us about ourselves. 

c) She was a woman of faith

Prayer shows that we have faith in God. 

Without faith, we cannot pray to God. 

2-5) Think about meaning of vow. 

It means she trusts in God and is fully devoted God

2-6) Can you relate to her situation in making a vow to God? 

Whatever situation you might be in, it is the time to trust God and be devoted to Him. 

2-7) What did she call God and herself in her prayer? (11) 

a) She knew who God is

She knew who God is: Lord Almighty (Yahweh)

She knew who God is: merciful and gracious

She knew who God is: worthy of our full dedication/service 

b) She knew who she is before Him 

i) Toward God: 

She came to God humbly, asked His blessing earnestly

She trusted in God faithfully, dedicated herself fully to God.

ii) Toward her husband and her enemy: 

She did not fight back to her husband or her enemy.

She fought the spiritual battle in prayer

iii) Toward her children

She dedicated her child to God.

It is easy for us to sacrifice ourselves to God, but not children’s 

3. Read verses 12-18. What did Eli think about her? (12-14) What did she say to him? (15,16) How did Eli bless her? (17) What was her answer to Eli’s blessing? (18a) What was changed about Hannah? (18b) 

3-1) Read verses 12-18

12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine.”15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” 17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him. ”18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes. ” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. 

3-2) What did Eli think about her? (12-14)

Eli thought she was drunk. 

It is very possible during the feast many people including women get drunk.

It would not be easy for Eli to be a priest when people just get drunk all the time. 

3-3) What did she say to him? (15,16)

a) Respectfully: No, my lord: although she was misunderstood, she did not lose her temper. 

She showed her respect to the priest. 

b) Humbly: Deeply troubled: she was humble enough to share her sorrow to the priest. 

c) Earnestly: Pouring out to the Lord: earnest prayer to God with sober mind.

We must pour out our soul before the Lord. 

d) Prayerfully: Out of great anguish and grief, she prayed to God

3-4) How did Eli bless her? (17) 

Eli humbly acknowledged his mistake. 

He prayed for her. God used servants to express His own will. (cf: John 11:49-52).

3-5) What was her answer to Eli’s blessing? (18a)

May your servant find favor in your eyes

3-6) What was changed about Hannah? (18b) 

a) Her face was changed: No longer downcast. 

She poured out her sorrow and agony to God. 

She received God’s comfort, peace with faith.  

b) Effect of Prayer

Change our sorrow into peace. (Peace with God)

One of the greatest gifts of God: Peace, peaceful mind

Devote our lives full to God. (Dedication) 

Nothing makes us more devoted to God  than earnest prayer in times of suffering. 

4. Read verses 19-20. Did the Lord remember Hannah? (19) How did He remember her? (20a) Why did she name him Samuel? (20b)

4-1) Read verses 19-20

19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

4-2) Did the Lord remember Hannah? (19) 

The Lord remembered her:

God heard Hannah’s prayer and enabled her to give birth to a son. 

God pays attention to our prayer and waits for the perfect timing. 

4-3) How did He remember her? (20a)

a) God answered her prayer in His time; 

In the course of time: miracle did not happen right away. 

She did not discouraged; nor lose her faith. 

Through faith and patience, she received the promise (Heb 6:12)

b) God molded wounded Hannah into a woman of faith. 

Hannah worshipped the Lord in faith even the prayer were not answered yet. 

4-4) Why did she name him Samuel? (20b)

She named her son, Samuel (sounded like ‘heard by God’; literally, Name of God)

For Hannah, the assonance was the reason to choose this name. 

Because God heard her prayer. 

In conclusion:

1) We can see the importance of a woman of prayer, a woman of faith like Hannah, who prayed to God for a child and fully dedicated herself and her child to God. 

2) We can also see the importance of godly husbands to be faithful to the word of God and to overcome the culture and to be a leader in the house.

3) We can see the great providence of God in the life of Hannah even in the sorrowful situation. In His sovereignty, God has been establishing his redemptive history by preparing the heart of a woman and providing a godly child Samuel. 

May God open the eyes of our hearts to see the glorious redemptive history and delicate and perfect hands of God in the life of godly men and women so that we can also fully dedicate ourselves to Him! May God grant us the spirit of prayer so that we can fully dedicate our life to the prayer for his kingdom! 

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