“If you have ever been deeply hurt or broken-hearted, Hannah’s story will give you great hope in the middle of your “hard”. Hannah’s story gives us permission to cry out to God in the middle of the pain, and encourages us to worship, surrender and trust God’s sovereignty.” — Julie Bernard

“This hard place in which you perhaps find yourself is the very place in which God is giving opportunity to look only to Him, to spend time in prayer, and to learn long-suffering, gentleness, meekness-in short, to learn the depths of the love that Christ Himself has poured out on all of us”. — Elisabeth Elliot 

1 Samuel 1:9-2:10

9 Then Hannah got up after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she made a vow and said, “Lord of armies, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your bond-servant and remember me, and not forget Your bond-servant, but will give Your bond-servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.” 12 Now it came about, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli was watching her mouth. 13 As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were quivering, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought that she was drunk. 14 Then Eli said to her, “How long will you behave like a drunk? Get rid of your wine!” 15 But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman despairing in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not consider your bond-servant a useless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and provocation.” 17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your request that you have asked of Him.” 18 She said, “Let your bondservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went on her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

‍Samuel Is Born to Hannah
‍19 Then they got up early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned again to their house in Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him of the Lord.” 21 Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “I will not go until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, so that he may appear before the Lord and stay there for life.” 23 Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you. Stay until you have weaned him; only may the Lord confirm His word.” So the woman stayed and nursed her son until she weaned him. 24 Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with a three-year-old bull, one ephah of flour, and a jug of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh, although the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and brought the boy to Eli. 26 And she said, “Pardon me, my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord. 27 For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my request which I asked of Him. 28 So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

‍Hannah’s Song of Thanksgiving
2 Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord,
My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. 2 There is no one holy like the Lord, indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God. 3 Do not go on boasting so very proudly, do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and with Him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty are broken to pieces, but those who have stumbled strap on strength. 5 Those who were full hire themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry cease to be hungry. Even the infertile woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many children languishes. 6 The Lord puts to death and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and brings up. 7 The Lord makes poor and rich; He humbles, He also exalts. 8 He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the garbage heap to seat them with nobles, and He gives them a seat of honor as an inheritance; for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and He set the world on them. 9 He watches over the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; for not by might shall a person prevail. 10 Those who contend with the Lord will be terrified; against them He will thunder in the heavens, the Lord will judge the ends of the earth; and He will give strength to His king, and will exalt the horn of His anointed.” 

Reflection Questions

1. What do you see about hope in this passage?

2. What does it teach us about God?

3. What does it teach us about man?

4. What should we do in light of this passage?

Pray whatever the Lord lays on your heart as a result of this passage.