Topical Bible: Faith: Hannah

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Hannah is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for her devout faith and fervent prayer. Her account is primarily found in the first two chapters of the book of 1 Samuel. Hannah's narrative is a profound testament to the power of faith and prayer, as well as the fulfillment of God's promises.

Background and Context

Hannah was one of the two wives of Elkanah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, had children, but Hannah was barren. This situation caused Hannah great distress, as Peninnah would provoke her bitterly to irritate her (1 Samuel 1:6). Despite her barrenness, Elkanah loved Hannah deeply and sought to comfort her, saying, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" (1 Samuel 1:8).

Hannah's Prayer and Vow

Hannah's faith is most vividly demonstrated in her response to her distress. During one of the family's annual visits to the tabernacle at Shiloh, Hannah rose and prayed to the LORD with great anguish. She made a solemn 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).

Her prayer was so intense that Eli, the priest, initially mistook her for being drunk. However, upon realizing her sincerity, Eli blessed her, saying, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him" (1 Samuel 1:17).

The Birth of Samuel

In due time, the LORD remembered Hannah, and she conceived and bore a son, whom she named Samuel, saying, "Because 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 presented him to Eli, dedicating him to the LORD's service for life (1 Samuel 1:24-28).

Hannah's Song of Praise

Hannah's faith is further exemplified in her song of praise, recorded in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. This prayer is a profound expression of her gratitude and recognition of God's sovereignty. She exclaims, "My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in Your salvation" (1 Samuel 2:1). Her song reflects themes of divine justice, the reversal of human fortunes, and the ultimate triumph of God's anointed.

Legacy and Significance

Hannah's faith and her willingness to dedicate her long-awaited son to the LORD set a powerful example of trust and devotion. Her account underscores the importance of prayer and the belief that God hears and answers the cries of His people. Samuel, her son, grew to become one of Israel's greatest prophets and judges, playing a crucial role in the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy in Israel.

Hannah's narrative continues to inspire believers to approach God with sincere hearts, trusting in His timing and purposes. Her life is a testament to the truth that faith, coupled with prayer, can lead to the fulfillment of God's promises in ways that surpass human understanding.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 1:1
Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Bear up the Hands that Hang Down, by Faith and Prayer...
... More than this, prayer like faith, obtains promises, enlarges their operation, and
adds to the measure of their results. ... Hannah's praying gave Samuel to Israel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ix bear up the.htm

About the Prefigured Change of the Israelitic Kingdom and ...
... acknowledge, that through this woman"whose very name, which is Hannah, means "His ...
out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned." Moreover ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 4 about the prefigured change.htm

The Shout of Faith
... Chapter 14 The Shout Of Faith. ... And according to their faith God did unto them;
so that, when they shouted, He made the walls to fall. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 14 the shout of.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... CHAPTER 20. OF PRAYER"A PERPETUAL EXERCISE OF FAITH. THE DAILY BENEFITS
DERIVED FROM IT. OF PRAYER"A PERPETUAL EXERCISE OF FAITH. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
... The vow of Hannah was acknowledged by the gift of a son, whom the Lord ... food, and
thereby affording an intimation of the exercise of feeding by faith on the ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xii covenanting performed in.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments
... Samuel was born in answer to the vowful prayer of Hannah, for the solemn covenant
which ... It is suggestive in James 5:15 that "The prayer of faith shall save the ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/i praying saints of the.htm

But if Our Sense is not Able Till after Long Expectation to ...
... of prayer is, or experience any benefit from it, still our faith will assure ... As Hannah
says, "The Lord killeth, and maketh alive; he bringeth down to the grave ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 52 but if our.htm

Go into Peace
... Eli had said to Hannah, 'Go into peace.' Nathan had said to David, 'Go into peace.'
But ... So He says to each of us: 'If you have been saved by faith, I open the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/go into peace.htm

Answer to Objections: Signal Instances of Prayer
... Hannah did service to the birth of Samuel, who is numbered along with Moses,
because though barren she prayed in faith unto the Lord. ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter viii answer to objections .htm

Samuel --The Child of the Temple.
... gods of the heathen around them, they repented and returned to the faith of their ...
home was in Ramah, the city where he was born, and where Hannah had brought ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xvii samuelthe child of.htm