Hannah’s Prayers of Pleading and Praise

On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world. “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

1 Samuel 1:4‭-‬11 2:2‭-‬10 ESV

Rev. Ryan Egli

"We tend to stay away from mourning and dancing. Too afraid to cry, too shy to dance...we become narrow-minded complainers, avoiding pain and also true human joy...While we live in a world subject to the evil one, we belong to God. Let us mourn, and let us dance." - Henri Nouwen

Hannah is a wife of Elkanah. She is one of two wives. The other wife is fertile and gives children but Hannah is barren. She cannot have children. She experienced shame and economic peril. Women who could not have children would not have people to care for her in her old age. Men could divorce their wives for this. It was often seen as a curse from God in those days. Hannah's suffering is not a single occurrence. It is long lasting and years in duration. Not only that, but the second wife mocks her. Her husband tries to address Hannah's suffering, but instead of comforting he makes it about himself. It is a poor attempt and Hannah seems to ignore it and goes to God. She prays persistently.

She goes home and God remembers her. She conceives a son. This is not random. But now that the long, longed for child is here, what will Hannah do? She had promised the child to God. This is where the rubber meets the road. Hannah is faithful to her promise in prayer. She tells her husband of the child's place in the temple. She brings the child to the temple as she has promised. She remembers her vow and fulfills it. 

She has a second prayer. Not only that, but she prophesies about the anointing of a coming king. She celebrates about a coming kingdom. Some see this as being about David and others see it referencing Jesus. Israel has had no kings up to this point. In fact, Samuel, her son would anoint both Saul and David. In Jesus, we can find our sufferings turned into rejoicing.