Topical Encyclopedia Hannah, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is a profound example of private prayer and its significance in the life of a believer. Her account is primarily found in the first two chapters of the book of 1 Samuel. Hannah's narrative highlights the power of earnest, heartfelt prayer and the faithfulness of God in responding to the cries of His people.Context and Background Hannah was one of the two wives of Elkanah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. While Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, had children, Hannah was barren, which was a source of deep personal anguish and societal shame. In ancient Israel, a woman's worth was often measured by her ability to bear children, and Hannah's childlessness was a heavy burden. Hannah's Prayer Hannah's private prayer is a pivotal moment in her account. During one of the family's annual visits to the tabernacle at Shiloh, Hannah, in deep distress, prayed to the LORD. Her prayer was marked by sincerity and desperation. The Berean Standard Bible records her vow: "And she 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). Hannah's prayer was silent, yet fervent, as she "spoke in her heart; only her lips were moving, and her voice was not heard" (1 Samuel 1:13). This silent, personal communication with God underscores the intimate nature of private prayer, where the heart's deepest desires are laid bare before the Creator. Eli's Misunderstanding and Hannah's Explanation Eli, the priest, observed Hannah's silent prayer and initially mistook her for being drunk. Upon confronting her, Hannah explained her situation, saying, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD" (1 Samuel 1:15). Her explanation reveals the depth of her prayer as an outpouring of her soul, a genuine and raw expression of her need for divine intervention. God's Response and Fulfillment God responded to Hannah's earnest prayer by granting her request. She conceived and bore a son, whom she named Samuel, meaning "heard by God," acknowledging the LORD's answer to her plea. True to her vow, Hannah dedicated Samuel to the LORD, bringing him to the tabernacle to serve under Eli once he was weaned. Hannah's Song of Praise Following the fulfillment of her prayer, Hannah offered a song of praise, recorded in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. This prayer of thanksgiving is a testament to her faith and recognition of God's sovereignty and justice. It begins, "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). Significance of Hannah's Private Prayer Hannah's account is a powerful testament to the importance of private prayer in the life of a believer. Her example demonstrates that God hears and responds to the sincere prayers of His people, even when they are offered in silence and solitude. Hannah's faith and dedication serve as an enduring model of trust in God's faithfulness and the transformative power of prayer. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 1:10And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD, and wept sore. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library I Suspect I have Been Allotting Habitually Too Little Time to ... It is Also Plain that the Public Prayers are not to be Couched in ... Of a Private Fast. Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ... A Poor Man's Cry, and what came of It Carey's Last Days Christian Behavior Index. The New Crusade --Serampore and the Brotherhood The Believer not an Orphan. "I Will not Leave You Comfortless: I ... Resources What is fervent prayer (James 5:16)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is listening prayer? Are listening prayers biblical? | GotQuestions.org Is there evidence that God answers prayer? | GotQuestions.org Prayer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |