Topical Encyclopedia Hannah, a central figure in the opening chapters of 1 Samuel, is a poignant example of barrenness miraculously removed by divine intervention. Her account unfolds during the period of the judges, a time marked by spiritual and moral decline in Israel. Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. While Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, bore him children, Hannah remained childless, a condition that brought her deep personal anguish and societal reproach.The narrative of Hannah's barrenness and its miraculous resolution is found in 1 Samuel 1-2. The text describes how Peninnah would provoke Hannah grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb (1 Samuel 1:6). Despite her husband's attempts to console her, Hannah's heart was heavy with sorrow. Her barrenness was not only a personal trial but also a source of public shame, as childbearing was highly valued in ancient Israelite culture. Hannah's response to her plight was one of fervent prayer and faith. During one of the family's annual visits to the tabernacle at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented her supplication before the LORD. In her deep distress, 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 1:11). Eli, the priest, initially misunderstood her silent prayer, mistaking her for a drunken woman. However, upon realizing her sincerity, he blessed her, saying, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him" (1 Samuel 1:17). Hannah's faith and Eli's blessing marked a turning point in her life. She left the tabernacle with her countenance uplifted, no longer downcast. In due time, the LORD remembered Hannah. She conceived and bore a son, whom she named Samuel, meaning "heard of God," for 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. Her act of devotion and gratitude is captured in her prayer of thanksgiving, recorded in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, a profound hymn of praise that exalts God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Hannah's account is a testament to the power of prayer and the faithfulness of God in removing barrenness. Her experience not only brought personal joy and fulfillment but also had significant implications for the nation of Israel. Samuel, her son, grew to become a pivotal figure in Israel's history, serving as the last judge, a prophet, and the anointer of kings. Through Hannah's faith and God's miraculous intervention, the course of Israel's history was profoundly shaped. Nave's Topical Index 1 Samuel 1:6-20And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. Nave's Topical Index Library The City of God. Index of Subjects. part i Resources How should a Christian deal with infertility? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Hannah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Dan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Barrenness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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