Hannah is one of the most gracious and well spoken of women in the Bible. Her name alone (Hannah) means gracious, grace and favor. Among the women of the Bible Hannah is one of the few that words of negativity are not spoken of.

Hannah's story begins in 1 Samuel chapter 1

1  Samuel 1:1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 1:2 And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

Hannah was the wife of Elkanah a Levite from one of the most honorable families of priest. He may have been an awesome man with a superb background. However Hannah's marriage to him left a lot to be desired. There were serious dark shadows in this marriage.. Elkanah had another wife, we can assume from the fact that Hannah's name was mentioned first that he married Peninnah after his marriage to Hannah..

As young girls we look to the dreams of growing up, being a beautiful bride having a husband and beautiful children. I can say with certainty that Hannah was no different. Hannah was unable to have children. Verse 5 tells us that the Lord had closed her womb. She had not received the blessing of her childhood dreams. Rather than a house full of noisy children and the pitter of small feet her home echoed her sobs and cries.

As if the situation of being barren were not enough Hannah had added heartache from her husbands other wife Peninnah. Peninnah would not let Hannah forget that she was childless the scripture tells us this in verse 6 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb.

Hannah's life was full of heartache, turmoil and filled with problems. However as we will soon see in the scripture Hannah's life was as well full of Praise and Worship.

1 Samuel 1:3 This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. 1:4 And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 1:5 But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. 1:6 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. 1:7 So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.1:8 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?

Every year Elkanah traveled to the city with his family to worship and give sacrifice. As we can see from the scriptures there was no refuge for Hannah. Peninnah would continue to provoke her, causing her great pain therefore she wept and did not eat. Verse 8 tells us that Elkanah tried to comfort and console Hannah. In preparation through prayer and research of this study it occurred to me that Hannah more than likely did not go running to her husband when she was being hurt by Peninnah. She dealt with this situation on her own, leaning only on God for her comfort and hope. My thoughts on this are because Hannah was a woman of great grace she wanted to keep peace in the household. Hannah was a woman of worship, when her situation was at it's worse she worshipped the one and only who gave her peace and wisdom. She cried out to the one she could tell her problems too, GOD! Her fellowship was with God rather than going to her husband she turned her cries toward the Lord. As she worshipped God he led her into wisdom in handling this most hurtful situation. My Sisters God shows no partiality so what He did for Hannah He will do for us as well Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God. As well we are promised in id we seek knowledge it will be given to us. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Ponder This: Hannah's heart was burdened, she had to share her husband with another woman who was very cruel, she was barren, yet still she worshipped God. Sister is there something you desire as strongly as Hannah desired a child? Do you feel that God has not heard your cries and seen your heartache? He has My friend! But we must take an inventory of our lives and seek our hearts to find if we are asking for selfish gain or asking a miss?   

James 4:2 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Was Hannah's asking for a child selfish? Some may say so, however what would her gain? She had promised the child to God. WOW What a prayer and promise! Not only does she praise him but she promises to dedicate this child to Him all the days of his life. As Hannah prayed and poured her heart out to the Lord, she became silent although her lips moved, there was no sound. She was giving whole heartedly to the Lord, pouring out her heart and tears on the throne of God.

1:12 And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. 1:13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 1:14 So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you.

Having seen this Eli the priest made accusation of Hannah being drunk with wine. Oh beloved can you imagine how Hannah felt, already feeling the scorn of being barren, dealing with Peninnah and her unmerciful torment and now as she poured of herself to the Lord being accused of being drunk. This was enough to make anyone "snap". But beloved look at how our precious Hannah handled this situation.

I Samuel 1:15 And Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 1:16 Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now."

Ponder This: Hannah did not take offense to Eli's comments, she did not argue in her gracious way she gently and quietly explained to Eli what was in her heart. She showed perfect example of the Proverbs 31 woman Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. And in the end how did Eli respond to her? He gave her his priestly blessing! We must use gracious, virtuous and kind speech. These are God's instructions for us!.

1. Speak with wisdom and Kindness	Proverbs 31:26
2. Use few words	Proverbs 10:19
3. Speak Softly	Proverbs 15:1
4. Add flavor to your speech	Proverbs 16:21
5.Think before you speak	Proverbs 15:28
6. Have clear speech	Proverbs 16:23

Hannah showed great faith after her prayer of anguish and receiving Eli's promise. She was not even pregnant yet but look at her faith!

1:17 Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him." 1:18 And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

She got up, went and ate and no longer carried the face of sadness!

Ponder This:

What an awesome example of faith for us Ladies, the situation had not yet changed but Hannah had! Her belief that God had heard her prayer and she had received Eli's blessing was enough to give her the strength to move forward. Beloved Sister in Christ do you believe and stand on the awesome promises of God? Do you believe His word when your situation is not getting any better? We see through Hannah's life that although she loved God, lived for God and made Him her everything she still had darkness. Let this tell us that as believers in Christ we will have dark places in our lives but we must do as Hannah did Run to God.
As the scriptures tell us Hannah conceived the son she so longer and prayed for.

1 Samuel 1:20 So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him from the Lord."

Hannah conceived, gave birth and had little time to accomplish her part of the promise she had made to the Lord, it would only be a short time before Little Samuel would be weaned. Hannah poured her love and God's truth into little Samuel, How you may ask? The child was so young.

Ponder This:The same way we are called to train our children by following the instruction of the Word of God.

Teach your children the Word of God.	Deuteronomy 6:7
Love the Lord with all your heart.	Deuteronomy 6:5
Teach your child God's way	Proverbs 22:6
Worship the Lord	Deuteronomy 6:13

Hannah's heart was full of love She so loved her little boy however she never forgot her promise to God. So as they prepared for their yearly visit Hannah was prepared to take Samuel along.

1 Samuel 1:24 Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. And the child was young. 1:25 Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli 1:26 And she said, "O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. 1:27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 1:28 Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord." So they worshipped the Lord there.

Ponder This: As Hannah approached the House of God she was bringing with her, her best, her only child here most costly gift. What can you give to God that costs: Your children? God like Hannah gave his only Son. Have you given your children to the Lord for His good will? Your Time? Wasted time is like stealing from God, Are you using the time He has given you for HIM? Your marriage? Your marriage is a covenant agreement between you, your husband and God. Are you giving your marriage to Him to use and to do as He will. There are more things we can give to God than these few listed here. Pray and ask Him what He wants you to give to Him, He is faithful in showing you .What can we learn from Hannah Beloved Let us look at these questions and ask ourselves if we can take Hannah's life as example and live by them:

What Hannah Did	What do we do?
Hannah had great sadness yet she worshipped God.	Do you worship God when you are sad, feel let down or unhappy?
Hannah took Penennah's torment to the Lord she did not act on her own accord.	Are you being mistreated, teased and taunted. Do you lash out, withdraw or do you take it to the Lord.
From all evidence Hannah did not go running to Elkanah with her problems she took the to the almighty.	When you have problems or a situation arises, What is your first reaction, Do you take it to your friends, co-worker or husband? Or do you take it to the throne of God?
Hannah petitioned God for her desires.	Do you petition God or attempt to do it yourself?
Hannah in faith believed God for remedy to her situation.	Do you believe in God for healing, and for remedy in your situations? Be it marriage, children or any other area in your life.
Hannah found peace in God even before her situation changed.	Can you find peace in a dark situation? Can you find peace in the midst of hurt and pain? Will you seek God for such peace?
Hannah gave back to the Lord what he blessed her with.	Can you give of yourself as Hannah did? Are you willing too?

Beloved as mentioned before God shows no partiality. He loves each and everyone of us with equality. As He met Hannah in her time of torment, loss and anguish, He too will meet you where you are. Let us take the example of this awesome Woman of God, and apply it to our own lives, Knowing that the outcome will glorify God. Just as Samuels life did. Let us not become discouraged and see the dark situations in our lives as hopeless. Let us do as Hannah did and pour it out on the throne of God. Let us allow Him His perfect will and perfect timing in any situation. Let us trust Him with our whole heart knowing He is the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

And Hannah Prayed:

1 Samuel 2 1 And Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn* is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. 2:2 "No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. 2:3 "Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed

Oh how Hannah rejoiced! She rejoiced in His salvation. She realized that no one could be as strong for her as the Lord. She rejoiced in His knowledge. Let us rejoice along with Hannah in our own situations and find peace and comfort in His love always.
NLŠ2000