What is the story of Hannah and Samuel?

Response

The story of Hannah and Samuel can be found in 1 Samuel 1 and 2. Hannah was one of the two wives of a Jewish man named Elkanah. The other wife, Peninnah, had children, but Hannah was unable to conceive.

Hannah’s story in the Bible begins before Samuel’s birth. One year, Hannah journeyed to Shiloh where the tabernacle was located. At the entrance of the tabernacle, she prayed for a child. She made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on 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” «And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. », (1 Samuel 1:11).

The priest Eli observed Hannah praying fervently but silently and, assuming she was drunk, rebuked her. After Hannah explained that she was praying, the priest blessed her and prayed for her request to be granted. She returned home and eventually conceived. Hannah gave birth to a son and named him “Samuel,” which means “I have asked for him from the LORD” «Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. », (1 Samuel 1:20).

Once Samuel was weaned (typically between the ages of 2 and 5), Hannah and Samuel journeyed to Shiloh, bringing a sacrifice with them. After offering the sacrifice, Hannah presented young Samuel to Eli and said, “I pray…”yed 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 1:27-28). The chapter concludes with Samuel worshiping the Lord at the tabernacle.

In 1 Samuel 2, Hannah offers a prayer of thanksgiving to God and returns home. It is then revealed that Eli’s sons were wicked men who did evil in the tabernacle. In contrast, “Samuel was ministering before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod” «But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. », (1 Samuel 2:18). Hannah got to see Samuel at least once a year; when she and her husband went up to offer the annual sacrifice, Hannah would always take along a little robe for Samuel. And “Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, ‘May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.’ Then they would go home” «And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home. », (1 Samuel 2:20).

Hannah’s story ends with an answer to Eli’s prayer. First Samuel 2:21 says, “The Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.” Hannah’s oldest son, Samuel, would go on to become the spiritual leader of Israel. As the prophet and judge of the nation, Samuel would anoint the nation’s first two kings, Saul and David.

The story of Hannah and Samuel offers many important lessons for today. First, Hannah turned to God in prayer during her time of need. Second, she praised and thanked God when He did answer her prayer. Third, she c

She kept her commitment to the Lord, even though it must have been challenging. Additionally, God blessed Hannah more than she had requested. Ultimately, Hannah became not only the mother of Samuel but also of three other sons and two daughters. The account of Hannah and Samuel has frequently served as a source of inspiration and encouragement for women facing infertility or those unable to conceive for various reasons. While God may not respond identically, Hannah’s prayerful attitude and reliance on the Lord serve as a valuable example for us today.