Hannah

Lesson Six

Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 1:1-28; 1 Samuel 2:1-11, 18-21

“Hannah” means “grace or favor.”

She used wisdom in seeking God for her needs.

(1 Samuel 1:4-7)

⁴ And when the time was that Elkanah offered (means: Give to God), he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: (means: Meat for sacrifice)

⁵ But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion (means: Much meat for sacrifice); for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb (means: Cannot pregnant, cannot born babies).

⁶ And her adversary (means: Enemy) also provoked her sore (means: Trouble her much), for to make her fret (means: Fear), because the Lord had shut up her womb (means: Cannot pregnant, cannot born babies).

⁷ And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked (means: Trouble) her; therefore (means: Because) she wept (means: Cry), and did not eat.

– Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah, but Hannah was his favorite. Each year when the family went to temple, Elkanah gave to Peninnah and her children portions of food, but to Hannah, he gave a double portion. Elkanah truly loved Hannah, but she had no children. Peninnah was very unkind and said cruel words to Hannah, because she was barren. These words filled Hannah with sorrow and she wept and did not eat. Elkanah, the husband, tried to comfort Hannah, but this was a situation that only God could help with. Hannah was a godly woman and she prayed for a son. With a broken heart, Hannah knelt before the Lord in the temple (1 Samuel 1:10-11).

¹⁰ And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore (means: Cry much).

¹¹ And she vowed a vow (means: Promise) and said, O Lord of hosts (means: Many), if thou wilt indeed (means: True) look on the affliction (means: Trouble) of thine handmaid (Girl servant) and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid (means: Girl servant) a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor (means: Razor blade) come upon his head.

Three times Hannah used the word handmaid showing humility, submission, and dependence on God. Hannah made a vow (promise) that if God would give her a son, she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life. The old priest, Eli, saw Hannah and thought she was drunk because her lips moved but no voice was heard (1 Samuel 1:13-16).

¹³ Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore (means: Because) Eli thought she had been drunken.

¹⁴ And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine (means: Stop drinking wine) from thee.

¹⁵ And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful (means: Sad) spirit: I have drunk neither (means: neither) wine nor (means: Not) strong drink, but have poured out my soul (means: Prayed much) before the Lord.

¹⁶ Count (means: Think) not thine handmaid (means: Girl servant) for a daughter of Belial (means: Devil): for out of the abundance (means: Much) of my complaint (means: Prayer) and grief (means: Sad) have I spoken hitherto (means: Now).

Hannah explained she was a woman of a sorrowful spirit, and had poured out her troubles before the Lord (Psalm 19:14).

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation (means: Thought) of my heart, be acceptable (means: Good) in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer (means: Saviour).

The priest encouraged her by saying the Lord would bless her (1 Samuel 1:17).

¹⁷ Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant (means: Give) thee thy petition (means: Ask, prayer) that thou hast asked of him.

God answered Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 1:19-20)

¹⁹ And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.

²⁰ Wherefore (means: Because) it came to pass (means: Happen), when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived (means: Pregnant) that she bare (means: Born) a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.

And gave her a son. She named the baby “Samuel” saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord.” Hannah did not go to the temple for several years because she wanted to wean the child first. When she took the child to the temple, she gave Samuel to the priest, Eli. This child, Hannah told the priest is the answer to my prayer, and he shall serve the Lord all the days of his life. Each year Hannah made a little coat for Samual and brought it to him when they went to the temple for the yearly sacrifice. God blessed Elkanah and Hannah with three more sons and two daughters (1 Samuel 19-21).

¹⁹ And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.

²⁰ Wherefore (means: Because) it came to pass (means: Happen), when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived (means: Pregnant) that she bare (means: Born) a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.

²¹ And the man Elkanah, and all his house (means: Family) went up to offer (means: Give) unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. (means: Promise).

(1 Samuel 2:1-11)

2 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth (means: Happy) in the Lord, mine horn (means: Strong) is exalted (Lift up) in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged (means: Brag, talk proud) over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

² There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee (means: You only): neither (means: Not) is there any rock like our God.

³ Talk no more so exceeding (means: Much) proudly; let not arrogancy (means: Pride) come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed (means: Judged).

⁴ The bows of the mighty (means: Strong) men are broken, and they that stumbled (means: Weak) are girded with strength (means: Strong).

⁵ They that were full have hired out (means: Work) themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased (means: Stop): so that the barren (means: Cannot children, cannot pregnant) hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble (means: Become weak).

⁶ The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

⁷ The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

⁸ He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, (means: Bathroom) to set them among princes, and to make them inherit (Receive) the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth (means: Foundation of earth) are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.

⁹ He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail (means: Win).

¹⁰ The adversaries (means: Enemies) of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt (means: Lift up) the horn (means: Strong) of his anointed (means: Chosen person).

¹¹ And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister (means: Serve, work) unto the Lord before Eli the priest.

Hannah gave a prayer of rejoicing. This shows a very spiritual woman. She praised God for power, holiness, knowledge and grace. Hannah had learned to pray in good times and bad times, in joy or afflictions. Her first prayer was in bitterness and sorrow of soul. Now in this prayer Hannah rejoiced and praised God for victory. Samuel became a man of prayer and a great prophet. He had a great teacher, Hannah, his. mother. Hannah pleased God as a wife, mother and woman.

A Thought to Remember — Pray to God about everything in your life! He cares and understands about all of our needs and heart’s desires. “The Lord is far from the wicked; but he heaereth the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29). It is important to please God as a woman, wife and mother. Be balanced in all three ways of your life as a woman, wife and mother.

Lesson to Learn — Discuss prayer. Will God hear the prayers of a woman? Has God answered your prayers? Are there some things that you are praying for now? Do you have a prayer list? Have you asked others to help you in prayer? Remember, “ye have not because ye ask not. (James 4:2). “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Matthew 7:7). Don’t stop asking, seeking and knocking. Keep praying until God tells you yes or no.

Because Hannah prayed, a nation was changed and blessed.