In the pages of the Old Testament, the story of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, stands as a powerful testament to faith, devotion, and the miraculous workings of God. Found in the book of First Samuel, Hannah’s story is one of perseverance through suffering, unwavering trust in the Almighty, and the profound impact of answered prayers.
Hannah’s story begins with a heartache that many can relate to – infertility. In a culture that highly valued the ability to bear children, her inability to conceive was a source of deep sorrow and shame. However, despite her anguish, Hannah’s faith in God remained unshaken. Year after year, she made a pilgrimage with her family to Shiloh, where they worshiped and offered sacrifices to the Lord.
During one of these visits to Shiloh, Hannah’s distress reached its peak. In a moment of profound desperation, she made a vow to the Lord. She promised that if God would grant her a son, she would dedicate him to the service of the Lord all the days of his life. This vow was not a mere plea for personal relief but a profound commitment to surrender her most precious gift back to God’s service.
Hannah’s earnest prayer did not go unnoticed. The priest Eli observed her heartfelt supplication and, though initially misunderstanding her anguish as drunkenness, blessed her with a prophecy of answered prayer. Soon after, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel, meaning “asked of God.” This miracle brought her great joy and gratitude, and she remembered her vow.
True to her vow, after Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. Here, she presented her young son to Eli the priest, fulfilling her promise to dedicate him to God’s service. This act of surrender was an extraordinary display of Hannah’s devotion to the Lord and her commitment to honoring her vow, even if it meant being separated from her beloved child.
Hannah’s story reminds us that God hears the cries of His people, even in their most desperate moments, and that He is faithful to answer in ways that exceed our expectations. Her legacy of faith and her willingness to surrender her blessings to God’s service continue to inspire and challenge us to live lives of deep devotion and trust in the Almighty.
Strengths and Accomplishments
- Mother of Samuel, Israel’s greatest judge
- Fervent in worship; effective in prayer
- Willing to follow through on even a costly commitment
Weakness and Mistake
- Struggled with her sense of self-worth because she was unable to have children
Lessons From Her Life
- God hears and answers prayers
- Our children are gifts from God
- God is concerned for the oppressed and afflicted
Vital Statistics for Hannah
- Where: Ephraim
- Occupation: Homemaker
- Relatives: Husband: Elkanah Son: Samuel Later, three other sons and two daughters
- Contemporary: Eli, the priest
Key Verses for Hannah
“And she said to him, ‘As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child , and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord’” (1 Samuel 1:26-28)
Her story is told in 1 Samuel 1, 2.
Scripture Study Resources
ESV Study Bible – Study Bibles give you a deeper understanding of God’s Word with tools for life application like commentary, maps, charts, concordance, and study notes. Search our popular translations- NIV, ESV, NKJV, KJV and more!
Believer’s Bible Commentary: Second Edition – A Bible commentary is a written, systematic series of explanations and interpretations of Scripture. Commentaries often analyze or expound on individual books of the Bible, chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Some commentary works provide analysis of the whole of Scripture.
The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible – The best concordance for word study! This exclusive new edition of a legendary classic puts generations of biblical research at your fingertips. A valuable tool for pastors, teachers, and students of the Bible.
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words – This classic word study resource allows you to study the meaning of biblical words in the original languages without spending years learning Greek or Hebrew. A great resource for students, seasoned pastors, and anyone who enjoys biblical word studies–even if they have little to no formal training in Hebrew or Greek.
Halley’s Bible Handbook – The beloved and classic Bible companion has been thoroughly updated, while retaining its time-honored features and Dr. Halley’s highly personal style, to offer even greater clarity, insight, and usefulness.
Click here to print or download the scripture character study on “Hannah: A Woman of Faith, Devotion, and Miracles“
