The story of Hannah and Samuel is found in 1 Samuel chapters 1-3 in the Old Testament. Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah, but she was unable to have children, which caused her great sadness. Each year Elkanah would go to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Hannah would pray earnestly to the Lord for a son, vowing that if God gave her a son she would dedicate him to the Lord’s service.
One year when they went to Shiloh, Hannah was praying silently and Eli the priest thought she was drunk because her lips were moving but no sound came out. Hannah explained she was pouring out her soul to the Lord. Eli told her to go in peace and that God would grant her request. Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son named Samuel, meaning “asked of God.”
When Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him to Eli at the tabernacle in Shiloh and dedicated him to the Lord’s service, as she had vowed. Hannah sang a song of praise to God for answering her prayers (1 Samuel 2:1-10). Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli.
One night the Lord called Samuel and he ran to Eli, thinking it was him calling. After the third time, Eli realized it was the Lord calling Samuel. He instructed Samuel to say “Speak Lord, for your servant hears” if he was called again. When the Lord called again, Samuel responded accordingly. The Lord spoke judgment against the house of Eli for the sins of his sons. In the morning, Samuel was afraid to tell Eli, but Eli asked him to share everything. Samuel grew and the Lord was with him. All Israel knew Samuel was a prophet of the Lord (1 Samuel 3:19-21).
Samuel became a great prophet and judge over Israel. Hannah went on to have five more children after Samuel. Each year when Elkanah and his family went to Shiloh, Hannah would bring a new robe for Samuel. The Lord blessed Hannah with 3 sons and 2 daughters after Samuel (1 Samuel 2:18-21).
The key points of the story are:
- Hannah earnestly prayed for a child and promised to dedicate him to the Lord
- The Lord answered Hannah’s prayer and she gave birth to Samuel
- Hannah kept her vow and brought Samuel to Eli at the tabernacle after he was weaned
- The Lord called Samuel in the night and spoke judgment against Eli’s sons
- Samuel grew as a faithful prophet and judge over Israel
There are several important lessons we can learn from Hannah’s story:
- God hears our prayers when we pour out our heart to Him in faith
- God is faithful to keep His promises
- God can use our children in great ways if we dedicate them to His service
- God speaks to those who are listening for His voice
- Obedience to God is more important than the approval of people
The story of Hannah illustrates the blessing of motherhood, the importance of prayer, and God calling people from an early age to serve Him. Samuel was dedicated to the Lord’s work from birth and grew up to lead Israel as a prophet and judge. Hannah’s prayer and dedication of Samuel played a key part in the history of Israel. Though originally childless and distressed, God blessed Hannah abundantly through her faithfulness. The account challenges us to earnestly seek God regarding our deepest needs and fully commit our lives and families to His purposes.
Background
The story of Hannah takes place during the time when Judges ruled over Israel, after the death of Joshua but before Israel had any kings. This was a turbulent time spiritually in Israel’s history when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6, 21:25). At this time the priesthood was dominated by Eli and his wicked sons Hophni and Phinehas.
Elkanah lived in Ramathaim in the hill country of Ephraim and was part of the tribe of Levi, but not part of the priestly line. As was common during that era, Elkanah was polygamous and had two wives – Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah was unable to conceive (1 Samuel 1:1-2). The fact that Hannah was barren was considered a disgrace. Despite this, Elkanah favored Hannah even though Peninnah had given birth to his children (1 Samuel 1:4-5).
Every year Elkanah would go to the tabernacle at Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. The sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were the serving as priests at that time. Whenever Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions of the sacrifice to Peninnah and her sons and daughters, but he gave a double portion to Hannah because he loved her (1 Samuel 1:3-5).
So the story begins against the backdrop of both national and family crisis. Israel was in an unstable spiritual condition without strong leadership at a critical moment of transition. Hannah was part of a dysfunctional family dealing with societal stigma and pressures regarding her infertility. Out of this context, God would bring forth His purposes in a remarkable way.
Hannah’s Vow and Answer to Prayer
When Elkanah and his family would go to Shiloh each year, Hannah would become distraught because the Lord had not given her children. Her rival, Peninnah, would provoke her and make her miserable over this fact. This happened year after year until Hannah wept and would not eat (1 Samuel 1:6-7). Elkanah would try to comfort her by saying “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8). The ESV translates this “Am I not more to you than ten sons?” to emphasize Elkanah’s love for Hannah even in her barrenness.
One year when they went up to Shiloh, after eating and drinking, Hannah rose up and went to the temple to pray. In bitterness of soul, she prayed to the Lord weeping. She made a vow saying “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” (1 Samuel 1:10-11).
As she continued praying silently, moving her lips but making no sound, Eli the priest observed her and thought she was drunk. Hannah explained she was “a woman troubled in spirit” pouring out her soul to the Lord. Eli told her “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” Hannah left worshiping the Lord, eating, and no longer downcast (1 Samuel 1:12-18).
The Lord remembered Hannah and she conceived, giving birth to a son she named Samuel, saying “For I have asked for him from the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:19-20). The name Samuel literally means “God hears” or “asked of God.” After some time, when Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh along with offerings (1 Samuel 1:24-25).
Hannah presented Samuel to Eli saying “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the LORD. For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD” (1 Samuel 27-28). Hannah then sang a song of praise to God for lifting her disgrace and answering her prayers (1 Samuel 2:1-10).
So God graciously answered Hannah’s earnest prayers and she responded faithfully by keeping her vow to dedicate Samuel completely to the Lord’s service. Though undoubtedly difficult giving up her son, Hannah placed her commitment to God above her maternal rights. Despite originally feeling abandoned by God in her barrenness, Hannah entrusted her future and family fully into His hands through faith.
Samuel’s Call from the Lord
Samuel continued serving the Lord by assisting Eli in the tabernacle duties. While still a boy, Samuel received his divine calling as a prophet during the night:
Now the young man Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.
And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the young man. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.
(1 Samuel 3:1-11 ESV)
This marked the beginning of Samuel’s prophetic ministry as he received the word of the Lord directly. God spoke judgment against Eli’s household because of the sin of his sons. Eli insisted that Samuel tell him everything God said, which cannot have been easy for the young man. But Samuel faithfully relayed the difficult words entrusted to Him, establishing his reputation as a trustworthy prophet (1 Samuel 3:12-18).
As Samuel grew, the Lord was with him and Israel recognized him as an established prophet. The word of the Lord was rare at that time, but the Lord continued to appear and speak to Samuel (1 Samuel 3:19-21). The Lord used Samuel mightily, raising him up as both a prophet and a judge during a bleak spiritual period in Israel’s history. Samuel’s ministry helped turn the nation back to the Lord.
Lessons from Hannah and Samuel’s Story
There are many lessons we can take from the account of Hannah and Samuel in 1 Samuel 1-3:
- God hears our prayers when we earnestly seek Him – Hannah poured out her soul to the Lord and He answered by giving her Samuel (1 Samuel 1:10, 19-20)
- God is faithful to His promises – Hannah vowed to dedicate any son back to the Lord and God granted her request (1 Samuel 1:11, 27-28)
- Trusting God requires sacrifice – Hannah gave up rights to raise Samuel herself, fulfilling her vow to God (1 Samuel 1:21-28)
- God can call people at any age for His purposes – Samuel served the Lord from a young age (1 Samuel 2:11, 26)
- Obeying God may mean confronting sin – Samuel relayed God’s judgment against Eli’s household (1 Samuel 3:11-18)
- Surrendering our children to God allows Him to use them powerfully – Samuel grew as a prophet and judge over Israel (1 Samuel 3:19-21)
This account reminds us that nothing is impossible with God. He is able to work powerfully through those who are wholly dedicated to Him from an early age, as exemplified in Samuel’s life. Though Hannah faced scorn in her barrenness, God used her circumstances for His glory. As we bring our deepest needs to God and obey Him fully, He is faithful.
Samuel’s Later Ministry as Prophet and Judge
Samuel went on after these early experiences to become one of the most influential figures in Israel’s history. Here is a brief overview of Samuel’s later leadership:
- Samuel judged Israel throughout his life, traveling yearly on circuit between Bethel, Gilgal, Mizpah, and Ramah (1 Samuel 7:15-17).
- He led Israel to repentance and victory over the Philistines after 20 years of oppression (1 Samuel 7:2-14).
- Samuel prayed for thunder and rain as a sign of God’s power, shocking the Israelites (1 Samuel 7:8-10, 12:16-18).
- He assembled Israel at Mizpah to confess their sins and renew their devotion to God (1 Samuel 7:5-6).
- Samuel called on Israel to get rid of foreign idols and worship God alone (1 Samuel 7:3-4).
- He established schools or companies of prophets at Ramah, Bethel, Gilgal, and Jericho (1 Samuel 19:18-24).
- He anointed both Saul and David as kings over Israel, transitioning leadership away from judges (1 Samuel 9-10, 16).
Samuel was zealous for the Lord from a young age throughout his entire life. God used him powerfully to turn Israel back to proper worship, deliver them from enemies, and anoint their first two kings. Samuel listened to God’s voice and acted on it with courage from the time he was a child. He provided upright leadership and spiritual guidance during a pivotal point in Israel’s history.
Hannah’s Subsequent Children
Though the biblical account centered on Samuel, we are also told that Hannah went on to have several more children after dedicating him to the Lord:
And the Lord attended to Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the young man Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord. (1 Samuel 2:21 ESV)
Despite originally being barren, Hannah was blessed with a total of six children – five sons and one daughter. Each year when Elkanah and his family went to Shiloh, Hannah would bring a new robe she had made for Samuel (1 Samuel 2:18-19). Even after giving up Samuel to serve at the tabernacle, Hannah maintained her maternal connection to him.
The fact that God blessed Hannah with more children indicates He honored her difficult act of obedience and sacrifice. Though surely devastated at first, Hannah trusted God to help her through the grief of giving up Samuel. She pour out her heartache through prayer and willingly surrendered Samuel to God’s work. Hannah stands as an example of devotion to God even when it requires giving up what is most precious to us.
Conclusion
The story of Hannah and Samuel in 1 Samuel 1-3 provides powerful lessons on prayer, faithfulness, and serving God from an early age. Despite deep anguish in her barrenness, Hannah poured out her heart to the Lord. God answered her prayers, and she responded in obedience by dedicating her precious son Samuel back to God’s work.
From a young age, Samuel heard God’s voice and acted courageously on it. He guided Israel spiritually during a difficult transition period and anointed their first two kings. Though originally childless and distressed, Hannah ultimately was blessed with several children in addition to Samuel. She maintained her vow by raising him for service to the Lord.
Hannah and Samuel exemplify earnestly seeking God in prayer, obediently following His call, and wholly dedicating our lives and families to Him. This account challenges us to pour out our deepest needs to God and trust Him enough to surrender what is most precious to us for His glory.