Hannah was not living the ideal situation. Not one that God would condone, but none the less it was her life. What I mean by God not condoning her situation is not Hannah’s fault. Hannah was barren, so to have children, Elkanah Hannah’s husband decided to marry another woman, who was able to have children.
Despite her situation, we can see God in the life of Hannah.
God hears and answers prayers
We all have experiences of God answering our prayers, but sometimes we still doubt. Especially if there is something that we have been praying for over a period of time. This was the case with Hannah. She had been praying for a child for many years.
“Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut” I Samuel 1:9-11 NLT.
God heard her prayer and answered her.
“The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the Lord once more. Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea, and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.” I Samuel 1:19-20 NLT
Knowing that God hears us is so comforting. We have to trust in His sovereign plan for our lives for the answer that He gives.
God gives children as gifts
Hannah recognized her son as a gift from God. She does this by naming him, Samuel.
“and in due time, she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.” I Samuel 1:20 NLT
“I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.” I Samuel 1:27 NLT
God cherishes children. The unborn and the born. He has a plan for them, just like He has a plan for everyone.
By Hannah keeping her promise to give her son to God, she recognizes this gift God had given her. If you have children or care for a child, always remember that they are a gift. Giving them to God is a form of worship, reflecting on the giver of such a precious gift.
