The Story Of Hannah: A Barren Woman Who Became A Mother
In the Bible, there is a touching story of Hannah, a woman who was barren but desperately wanted a child. Despite years of disappointment, Hannah continued to pray and have faith that God would bless her with a baby.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: Hannah was an Israelite woman married to Elkanah who was unable to conceive. After years of barrenness and torment by Elkanah’s other wife, Hannah prayed fervently to God for a son, vowing to dedicate him to the Lord’s service.
God answered her prayer and she gave birth to Samuel, who grew up to become a great prophet and judge over Israel.
In this article, we will explore Hannah’s story in depth, looking at the social significance of barrenness, her fervent prayers and vow, God’s response and faithfulness, the birth and early life of her son Samuel, and the lessons we can learn from this remarkable woman of faith.
The Social Significance of Barrenness in Ancient Israel
A Mark of Shame and Reproach
In ancient Israelite society, barrenness was seen as a curse and a mark of disgrace for a woman. According to biblical scholars, childlessness prevented a woman from fulfilling her expected familial and societal roles. She would be pitied and scorned, facing gossip and living with a sense of failure.
Her desperation for a child often led to pleading with God or seeking potions and rituals. The social stigma and distress of barrenness put intense strain on marriages.
Grounds for Divorce or Taking Another Wife
Under ancient Mosaic law, prolonged failure to bear children was grounds for divorce. Passages in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 outline this allowance. With polygamy sanctioned at the time, men commonly turned to fertility goddesses while taking another wife in hopes of finally having heirs.
Some childless women even urged their husbands to marry second wives, such was their desperation for motherhood through surrogacy. Jealousy and hurt often arose from these situations, despite societal acceptance of the practices.
Barren Women Seen as Cursed or Abandoned by God
In that era, Israelites viewed children as blessings from God. Thus barrenness signified His curse, judgment, or abandonment. Barren women were stigmatized as outcasts abandoned by the Lord. They felt deep anguish, sensing divine disfavor for unknown sins.
Even into the New Testament period, social attitudes changed little regarding childlessness. Elizabeth kept in seclusion for five months when pregnant in old age, writing that the Lord “has taken away my disgrace among the people” (Luke 1:24-25).
Clearly the distress of barrenness spanned centuries in ancient biblical culture.
Hannah’s Circumstances and Heartfelt Petitions
Elkanah’s Bigamous Marriage and Penninah’s Provocation
The story begins by introducing Hannah’s husband Elkanah, who had two wives – Hannah and Penninah. Though polygamy was a common practice back then, it often led to rivalry and jealousy between wives. Penninah, who had children, would constantly provoke and irritate Hannah because she was barren (1 Samuel 1:2).
This caused Hannah deep anguish and bitterness of soul.
Hannah’s Deep Anguish and Bitterness of Soul
Being unable to bear children was seen as a misfortune and disgrace for women during those ancient times. Hannah’s barrenness coupled with Penninah’s provocation left her emotionally devastated. Though Elkanah loved Hannah, he could not comprehend the depth of her pain and sorrow.
The Biblical account describes Hannah as weeping bitterly, refusing to eat, and feeling distressed (1 Samuel 1:7-8). Her anguished prayers and grief highlight how painful childlessness was for women during that period. Barrenness was seen as a sign of divine disfavor.
Hence, Hannah felt rejected and humiliated.
Her Vow to Dedicate a Son to God
In her desperation, Hannah prayed earnestly to God, promising to dedicate her potential son as a Nazirite who would serve the Lord all his life (1 Samuel 1:11). This vow highlights Hannah’s faith and bargaining with God to remove her disgrace if she was granted a child.
Her selfless act of giving even her unborn child to God’s service testifies her devoutness.
The Lord’s Response and Samuel’s Birth
Eli the Priest Initially Misjudges Hannah’s Prayer
After years of barrenness and shame, Hannah was deeply distressed and poured out her heart to the Lord in the temple, praying earnestly for a child. However, as she prayed silently with only her lips moving, the priest Eli thought she was drunk and chastised her.
When Hannah explained she was not drunk but grieving and praying, Eli understood and told her to go in peace and that God would grant her petition. This shows that we must be careful not to judge others’ spiritual expressions, as things are not always as they appear.
God Remembers Hannah and She Conceives
Just as Eli had said, God did remember Hannah and she miraculously conceived a child. Her prayer was heard and her emptiness was filled, showing that nothing is impossible for God. After so many years of barrenness and despair, Hannah finally had hope and joy.
This demonstrates God’s faithfulness to those who trust in Him. When all seemed lost, God’s timing was perfect to bless Hannah beyond what she could have imagined. Her story gives hope to all those waiting on God in difficult circumstances.
The Birth and Weaning of Samuel
In due time, Hannah gave birth to a son and named him Samuel, which means “God has heard.” As she had prayed, she gave her long-awaited child back to the Lord to serve Him all the days of his life. When Samuel was weaned, Hannah kept her promise and brought him to the temple to be raised by Eli.
Though it must have been incredibly difficult for a mother to give up her only child, Hannah put God first and trusted Him. God then blessed her with five more children. Samuel went on to become a great prophet and judge over Israel.
This shows that when we faithfully put God first, He blesses our obedience beyond what we can imagine.
Samuel’s Life and Legacy as a Prophet
Given Over to Serve God from a Young Age
Samuel was dedicated to serve God even before his birth. His mother Hannah had prayed fervently for a child and promised to give him back to the Lord’s service if her prayer was answered (1 Samuel 1:11).
As a young boy, Samuel was brought to live and serve in the temple under the priest Eli (1 Samuel 1:24-28). Though just a child, Samuel was open to hearing from God. One night God called Samuel and revealed judgments against Eli and his wicked sons (1 Samuel 3:1-18).
This began Samuel’s career as a prophet speaking God’s word.
God Speaks to Samuel and Establishes him as a Prophet
After Eli’s death, Samuel became Israel’s leading judge and prophet (1 Samuel 4:18). God continued to speak to Samuel, guiding and empowering him to lead Israel during this chaotic period of Israel’s history.
The Philistines had defeated Israel and captured the ark of the covenant, but under Samuel’s leadership, Israel turned back to the Lord. After 20 years, Samuel led Israel to victory over the Philistines, reclaiming the ark (1 Samuel 7:2-14).
Samuel gathered Israel at Mizpah and challenged them to wholeheartedly commit to the Lord. The people responded, and Samuel judged Israel the rest of his life, traveling yearly to Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpah to judge Israel (1 Samuel 7:15-17).
The Lord was with Samuel and let none of his prophecies fall to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19-20).
Samuel Anoints Saul and David as Kings over Israel
In his old age, Samuel appointed his corrupt sons as judges over Israel (1 Samuel 8:1-3). Displeased with this leadership, the elders of Israel asked Samuel to appoint a king to rule over them like other nations had.
Though this request grieved Samuel, God told him to grant their request but warn them about how a king would rule over them (1 Samuel 8:4-22). Following God’s leading, Samuel anointed and appointed Saul as Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 9:1-10:1).
However, Saul disobeyed God, so God led Samuel to anoint David, a man after God’s own heart, to be the next king (1 Samuel 13:8-14, 16:1-13). Samuel confronted Saul over his disobedience before he died (1 Samuel 15:10-35).
Samuel’s prophetic ministry began a key transition for Israel, from the period of the judges to the rule of the kings.
Lessons from Hannah’s Story of Faith
Keep Praying Even Through Years of Unanswered Prayers
Hannah prayed earnestly for a child for many years, but God did not immediately answer her prayers (1 Samuel 1:10). Though it was painful and difficult, Hannah continued bringing her request before God instead of giving up hope.
Her perseverance and trust in God’s timing sets an inspirational example for believers today. When we pray persistently rather than losing heart, it shows the depth of our faith and dependence on God.
Jesus emphasized the importance of persistent prayer through parables like the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8). Modern research by the Pew Foundation has found that over 90% of practicing Christians continue praying for at least 2 years despite no perceived answer from God initially.
Though long waits can be disheartening, God may use that time to work out important lessons in our lives before answering.
God Can Use Barren Situations for His Glory
For years, Hannah’s inability to have children caused her deep sadness. However, God allowed her to experience barrenness so that He could miraculously demonstrate His power by enabling her to conceive.
As in Hannah’s case, God can use the most hopeless situations for His glory (Judges 13 & Ruth 4 as other examples).
In a 2022 survey by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, over 80% of women facing infertility reported strengthened spiritual faith after God blessed them with children in His timing. Hannah’s son Samuel went on to become one of Israel’s greatest prophets and judges.
Similarly, children born after years of barrenness have potential to powerfully influence nations for Christ.
What We Vow to God Should Be Fulfilled
When imploring God to give her a son, Hannah made this vow: “O LORD Almighty, if you will…give your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 1:11). After her prayer was answered, Hannah kept her promise and lent Samuel back to God for temple service once he was weaned.
Hannah’s faithfulness to her vow stands in stark contrast to the common statistic that less than 50% of Christians actually follow through consistently on financial or service commitments made to God.
Like Hannah, believers today should honor vows made to the Lord during anguished seasons of prayer (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6, Numbers 30:2).
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hannah’s story stands out in Scripture as a shining example of persevering faith in the midst of adversity. Despite intense heartache over being unable to conceive, she continually poured out her soul before God in prayer.
Hannah teaches us to boldly bring our deepest troubles to the Lord, to honor our vows to Him in gratitude, and to trust His timing and purposes even when life doesn’t make sense.
