Who is Hannah in this passage and what struggle is she facing?

Hannah is one of Elkanah’s two wives. The other wife, Peninnah, has children, but Hannah cannot have any. In her culture, this is a deep shame and sorrow, because children are seen as a blessing from God. The passage says the Lord had shut up her womb, so her pain is not just physical but also spiritual. On top of that, Peninnah provokes and mocks her year after year. Hannah’s struggle is with childlessness, jealousy in the home, and the feeling of being forgotten, even as she tries to worship God.

Why does Peninnah provoke Hannah, and what does this show about their family?

Peninnah provokes Hannah because she has children and Hannah does not. She uses this to hurt Hannah, especially during the yearly trips to worship at Shiloh. This shows how sin and rivalry can poison a family, especially in a home with more than one wife. Elkanah loves Hannah and tries to comfort her, but his love cannot wipe away the pain she feels. The story shows that when God’s design for marriage is not followed, it often leads to tension, envy, and deep grief, even in a family that still goes to worship.

What does Hannah’s silent prayer and vow tell us about prayer?

Hannah goes to the house of the Lord in deep bitterness of soul. She prays silently, moving her lips but making no sound, and weeping. She promises that if God gives her a son, she will give him to serve the Lord all his life, with no razor on his head, which points to a special dedication. Her prayer shows honest pouring out of the heart, not fancy words. It shows that God hears quiet, tearful prayers and that real prayer can come from great pain, joined with a willing heart that is ready to give back to God what He gives.

Why does Eli think Hannah is drunk, and what can we learn from his mistake?

Eli sees Hannah’s lips moving but hears no sound, so he assumes she is drunk and rebukes her. This shows how easily someone, even a spiritual leader, can misjudge a suffering person. Hannah explains she has not drunk wine or strong drink but is pouring out her soul to the Lord. Eli then blesses her and asks that God grant her request. From this mistake we can learn to be slow to judge those who are praying or grieving in ways we do not understand, and to be more gentle and careful with those who are hurting.

What does it mean that “the LORD remembered” Hannah?

When the passage says “the LORD remembered her,” it does not mean God had forgotten Hannah and then suddenly remembered. It means God chose to act for her in mercy and faithfulness. After her prayer and Eli’s blessing, Hannah goes home, and in time she conceives and bears a son, Samuel. This shows that God had heard her earlier cry and, in His time, answered it. The phrase reminds us that God sees the afflictions of His people, even when nothing seems to be happening, and that His timing and ways are in His hands.

Why does Hannah name her son Samuel, and what is the meaning of his name?

Hannah names her son Samuel because, as she says, “Because I have asked him of the LORD.” The name is connected to the idea of being asked from God. Every time she calls his name, it reminds her and others that this child was a gift given in answer to prayer. His very name keeps the story of God hearing her cry alive. This also hints at Samuel’s future role, since he will be a man who listens to God and speaks God’s word to the people of Israel.

Why did Hannah keep her vow and bring young Samuel to live at Shiloh?

Hannah had promised that if God gave her a son, she would give him to the Lord all his life. After Samuel is weaned, she does exactly that. She brings him, along with offerings, to Eli at the house of the Lord in Shiloh. She reminds Eli that she is the woman who had prayed there before, and that this is the child she prayed for. Then she gives Samuel over to serve the Lord. Her actions show that she takes her vows to God very seriously and that answered prayer should lead to obedience and worship, not just relief.

What does this story teach about God’s character in times of suffering?

This story shows that God is sovereign over life, including the ability to give children, and that He uses personal affliction for His purposes. It also shows that He is near to the brokenhearted. Hannah’s womb was shut by the Lord, yet in His time He opened it in answer to her prayer. Through her pain and her vow, God brings Samuel into the world, who will serve His people in a special way. So we see that God hears the cries of those who are despised or mocked, and that He can turn deep sorrow into joy and service.

How can Hannah’s response to pain help someone who feels overlooked or barren in life?

Hannah feels deeply overlooked and empty. She cannot fix her situation herself, and other people’s words either hurt her more or fall short. Yet instead of turning from God, she goes to Him with honest tears, telling Him all her grief and making a willing vow. For someone who feels barren, whether in childbearing or in other hopes, her example shows that it is right to bring that ache directly to God, again and again. It also encourages us that God may use our hardest seasons in ways we cannot see yet, both in us and through us.

1Sam.1.1

1 Samuel 1:1

KJV

Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, 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:

Elkanah and His Wives

1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, 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:

2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.

4 ¶ And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.

6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.

7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

Hannah Prays for a Son

9 ¶ So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.

10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.

11 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.

12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.

13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.

16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

The Birth of Samuel

19 ¶ And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.

20 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.

21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever.

23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the Lord establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

24 ¶ And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.

25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.

27 For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

28 Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.