Hannah: The Mother of Samuel
by Pastor Ronald Boelte
Hannah's name means "grace." She is one of the two wives of
Elkanah and the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:2). We are also told that she
was a barren woman. She was laughed at by Peninnah, Elkanah's other wife,
who had children. However, Elkanah loved Hannah and encouraged her to pray
to God for children.
Hannah did pray to God often for a son and if God granted her request,
she would offer him for the Lord's service. Eli who was the high priest at
Shiloh at that time also prayed to God to grant Hannah a son.
The history of Samuel starts with fervent prayers and a promise from
Hannah. This does not mean we can bargain with God, but it does show us
what a powerful tool prayer can be. God answers Hannah's prayer, and after
Samuel was big enough she took him to the temple and Eli started Samuel's
training. We are told in James 5:16: "Therefore confess your sins to
each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer
of a righteous man is powerful and effective." The prayers of the
righteous were and still are powerful and effective.
Hannah is a great example of what prayer can do. Not only did she pray
for a son and receive it from God, she offered up a prayer of thanksgiving
for what God had granted to her. This prayer found in 1 Samuel 2 is very
similar to the prayer of the virgin Mary: The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56). I
am sure that Mary received comfort and encouragement from the prayer of
Hannah. For Hannah's prayer was recited at the New Year's celebration by
the Jewish priest each year.
Hannah was also blessed by God with other children.
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