The story of Hannah strikes a sympathetic chord in all women since, who, like her, cannot bear children. For, as in Hannah’s case, no matter how much a woman is loved and showered with gifts, if she cannot bear children to the man she loves, she feels completely inadequate. Childbearing, particularly sons, is a happy fulfillment of womanhood. It is the ultimate giving of self, to go through the travail of birth and present her husband with the fruit of their love. In the life of Jewish women it has always been important to bear sons— to carry on the male lineage ; and when we closely analyze the attitudes of the rest of us, we find that we are not so vastly different in this respect. We do not, perhaps, feel the intense need for the male first-born like the Jews, but we do yearn for sons to carry on the family name.
So let us put ourselves, as it were, in Hannah’s position. This incident took place during the time when “there was no king in Israel ; every man did what was right in his own eyes” there were many Israelite’s who fell into evil ways during that time, but apparently this was not the case with Elkanah’s family. Elkanah was a faithful Israelite who observed the L a w and Commandments. Although he was blessed with a generous amount of worldly possessions, he never failed in his remembrance of God from whom all blessing flow. Every year therefore, Elkanah and his family journeyed to the temple to make their offerings to God. The occasion was a happy one for all, as Elkanah generously gave gifts to each member of the family. Because he loved Hannah more than the others, her gift was double what he gave to the others. As is so often the case with a “favorite”, Hannah had to with stand the jibes and jealous rantings of Peninnah— the second wife— who never failed to force home the dagger into Hannah’s heart and twist it! Peninnah had given Elkanah many sons.
Elkanah could not see why Hannah should grieve for a son so deeply. She had him, and wasn’t his love worth more than 10 sons ? It could have been, perhaps, without Peninnah. But Hannah was sorely tried, to the limit of her endurance. We do not read about her replies to her tormentor, but surveying the whole character of the woman, we can readily appreciate why Elkanah loved her— she must have been meek, patient, and of such sweet temperament that she never “hit back” at Peninnah, and consequently, the fires of jealousy burned even more brightly.
Hannah’s heart was deeply devoted to God. Like other “chosen vessels”, her attitude of mind comes to us as a lesson. She was sorely grieved, to the point of desperation, and when the opportunity of appealing to the Lord presented itself, she “poured out her soul to God” in the seclusion of the Temple. Eli, the high-priest, and a father of wicked sons who mingled with the basest of women, was a distraught man. Seeing that so much evil was about him, he immediately drew a wrong conclusion when he observed Hannah on her knees . . . perhaps swaying back and forth in her deep desire to pour out her needs to God. . and thought that she was drunk. What a dreadful state matters must have come to, that he should even think such a thing! Any other woman would be filled with “righteous indignation” to be so accused, but Hannah’s answer was typical of her character, and immediately gained Eli’s blessing and respect. Hannah then “went her way, and her countenance was no more sad.” Any of us having felt weighed down with distress, and worry, and having given it to the Lord in prayer, will understand her feeling. She had “cast her burden on the Lord, and He had sustained her.” She would, from now on, accept the inevitable as the Lord’s Will. What strength that can give us after communion with God, and we have put our cares into His Hands with the words, “Thy will be done” !
In due time, Hannah’s request was granted, and God gave her a son. Now would come Hannah’s great trial and hardship. She had no sooner enjoyed the privilege of bearing a son, when she had to make plans for giving him up. For when Hannah had prayed so earnestly in the temple, she made a vow to God, saying that if He would give her a son, she would give him to the Lord for the rest of his life. Now, many of us will make rash promises and “vow” something or other if we are moved in distress, and then easily forget our vow when the distress is passed away. This was not the way with Hannah. She never faltered in her determination to carry out that vow. In the course of time, Hannah took her little son to the House of the Lord and gave him up. She was simple and direct in her speech to Eli, “this is the child I prayed for. The Lord hath granted my petition. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord for as long as he shall live.” How many of us would do well to observe Hannah’s true Godly spirit in returning, in full measure, for the good she had received !
Do we see a hysterical, grief stricken woman, beside herself over the loss of her small son? On the contrary, we see a woman so deeply moved with reverence and joy in her Lord, that out of her mouth poured the words of one of the most beautiful prayers in world history :
(R.S.V.)
“My heart exults in the Lord ; my strength is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in thy salvation “There is none holy like the Lord, there is none besides thee ; 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 gird 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, he also 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 power of his anointed.”
Hannah’s faithfulness was duly rewarded, as she later had 3 sons and 2 daughters. The love for her boy Samuel never failed however, as we read that every year she took him a new coat. How loving would be her hands as they fashioned it—each year a size or two larger to allow for his growth. And each annual visit, would reveal to Hannah the depth of goodness in Samuel and how very well he served the Lord. This is always a joy to a true daughter of Israel, for a mother’s heart is always with her son in whatever he sets himself to do.
And our minds are drawn to think of another mother, many years later, who also had to give up her son. Mary’s son gave even greater service than Samuel, but the two mothers were chosen vessels of fine, durable quality, worthy to bear their sons and to see them attain to the perfect service in the Lord.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One