Hannah Prays for a Son (1 Samuel 1:1-2:11)

The book of 1 Samuel is a very interesting historical book in the Old Testament, and it highlights a major transition in Israel’s history as the nation moves from the era of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy. This book was originally connected with the book of 2 Samuel as a single book, and its events span roughly a century, from about 1100 B.C. to 1000 B.C. It’s believed that the details found in 1 Samuel were likely compiled sometime after 960 B.C.

We aren’t told the author of the book directly. It’s believed by many that Samuel himself may have written portions of the book, with later contributions possibly added by the prophets Nathan and Gad.

The book of 1 Samuel records the ministry of Samuel, Israel’s last judge, and the rise of the nation’s first two kings, Saul and David. And through these events, the book demonstrates God’s sovereign guidance of His people and His faithfulness in accomplishing His purposes despite human weakness and failure.

Now, as I just mentioned, the book of 1 Samuel begins during an important transition in Israel’s history. The period of the judges is coming to an end, and Israel will soon begin asking for a king. Before the book introduces us to Samuel, Saul, or David, however, it introduces us to a woman named Hannah. Her story begins with sorrow, moves through prayer and faith, and concludes with one of the great songs of praise in the Old Testament.

Hannah was married to Elkanah, but she was unable to have children. Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, had sons and daughters, and she regularly provoked Hannah because of her barrenness. This was more than an occasional irritation. Scripture tells us that this happened “year by year” (1 Samuel 1:7). Hannah carried this burden for a long time.

Elkanah loved Hannah and attempted to comfort her, but he couldn’t give her what she wanted most. When the family traveled to Shiloh to worship, Hannah’s grief became particularly intense.

“She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.” (1 Samuel 1:10)

Hannah brought her pain directly to God. She didn’t pretend everything was fine. She didn’t allow disappointment to drive her away from God. Her sorrow drove her toward Him. 

I think there’s something instructive about Hannah’s response that’s worth noticing. Faith doesn’t require us to deny what hurts. Biblical faith gives us somewhere to take our pain. Hannah knew that the circumstances were beyond her ability to change, but they weren’t beyond God’s power.

She made a vow that if God gave her a son, she would give him back to God for His service. She prayed,

“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 1:11)

As Hannah prayed, Eli the priest watched her. Her lips moved, but he couldn’t hear her voice. Eli incorrectly assumed that she was drunk and confronted her.

Hannah explained,

“No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD.” (1 Samuel 1:15)

Hannah’s description of prayer is worth remembering: “pouring out my soul before the LORD.” 

Hannah wasn’t performing for anyone. She wasn’t trying to impress Eli. She was bringing the contents of her heart before God. Prayer gave her a place to express grief, longing, disappointment, and hope.

After hearing Hannah’s explanation, Eli blessed her and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him” (1 Samuel 1:17). 

Something changed in Hannah before her circumstances changed. Verse 18 says that she went away, ate, and “her face was no longer sad.” She still didn’t know whether she would have a child. God hadn’t given her Samuel yet. But Hannah entrusted her request to God and left it with Him.

That’s one of the great privileges we have in prayer. Prayer doesn’t always produce an immediate change in our circumstances, but it reminds us that our circumstances are in God’s hands.

In Hannah’s case, God chose to answer her request exactly as she hoped.

“And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, ‘I have asked for him from the LORD.’” (1 Samuel 1:20)

Samuel’s birth would affect much more than Hannah’s family. God was preparing a prophet who would lead Israel through one of the most important transitions in the nation’s history. Samuel would eventually anoint both Saul and David. When Hannah appeared to be little more than just a grieving woman praying at Shiloh, she couldn’t see all that God was preparing through the son she requested.

God often accomplishes purposes that extend far beyond what we can see from our present circumstances.

Hannah also kept her promise. After Samuel was weaned, she brought him to the house of God at Shiloh and presented him to Eli.

She said,

“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 1:27–28)

Hannah understood something important about the gifts God gives us. Samuel belonged to God before he belonged to Hannah.

There’s an important principle here for all of us. Everything we possess ultimately comes from God and belongs to Him. Our families, abilities, opportunities, resources, ministries, careers, and years of life are entrusted to us for a season. Gratitude recognizes the Giver, and faithfulness asks how His gifts can be used for His purposes.

Chapter 1 ends by telling us that Hannah worshiped God. Chapter 2 then records her beautiful prayer of praise.

Hannah begins,

“My heart exults in the LORD;
my horn is exalted in the LORD.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.” (1 Samuel 2:1)

Notice where Hannah’s joy is centered. She certainly rejoiced over Samuel, but her song is primarily about God.

She praises His holiness:

“There is none holy like the LORD:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2)

Hannah’s circumstances taught her something about God’s character. She discovered that He is faithful, powerful, sovereign, and able to reverse circumstances that appear impossible.

That theme of reversal runs throughout Hannah’s song.

“The bows of the mighty are broken,” while “the feeble bind on strength” (2:4). Those who were full hire themselves out for bread, while those who were hungry cease to hunger (2:5). The barren woman bears children. The poor are raised from the dust. God brings low, and God exalts (2:8).

This becomes one of the central themes of 1 Samuel.

People look at outward strength. God looks at the heart.

Israel will eventually choose Saul, a man who looks like a king. He’s tall, impressive, and physically commanding. God will later choose David, the youngest son of Jesse, whom his own family initially doesn’t even consider a candidate for kingship.

Hannah’s song prepares us for all of this. Before Saul and David appear, we’re told that God doesn’t evaluate people according to the standards human beings commonly use.

1 Samuel is ultimately a book about kingship, and Hannah’s prayer introduces that theme even before Israel has a human king.

I believe the final verse of her prayer is especially important:

“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 horn of his anointed.” (1 Samuel 2:10)

That final statement is something that should stand out to us.

At the time Hannah is speaking, singing, and praying these words, Israel doesn’t have a king yet.

Saul hasn’t been introduced. David hasn’t been born into the story. Still, Hannah speaks about God’s king and God’s anointed.

The Hebrew word translated “anointed” is mashiach, which is the word from which we get Messiah. In Greek, the corresponding word is Christos, from which we get Christ.

Hannah’s prayer is intentionally pointing us forward. In the immediate storyline, it anticipates the kings God will establish in Israel, especially David. But David won’t be the final King God’s people need.

David will sin. His descendants will fail. Eventually, Judah will be conquered, Jerusalem will fall, and the Davidic monarchy will look like it has come to an end.

God’s promise, however, won’t fail.

The story that begins with Hannah praying for a son ultimately moves toward another Son.

Centuries later, an angel would come to a young woman named Mary and tell her that she would also give birth to a Son through God’s supernatural intervention. Gabriel said of Jesus,

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David.” (Luke 1:32)

There are even similarities between Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2 and Mary’s song in Luke 1. Both women praise God for reversing human expectations. Both celebrate God lifting the humble and bringing down the proud. Both recognize that God is working through circumstances that might initially seem small to accomplish His great purposes.

Hannah’s story helps establish a pattern that continues throughout Scripture. God works through people the world might overlook. He brings strength from weakness. He raises the humble. He accomplishes His purposes in ways human beings wouldn’t necessarily predict.

Jesus embodies this pattern perfectly.

He wasn’t born in a palace. He was born into an ordinary family and placed in a manger. He didn’t gather political power or command an earthly army. Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would have “no form or majesty that we should look at him” (Isaiah 53:2). 

Still, this seemingly unimpressive carpenter from Nazareth was God’s promised King.

The cross represents the greatest reversal of all. To those watching Jesus die, His crucifixion looked like defeat. His enemies mocked Him as “King of the Jews.” His disciples scattered. His body was placed in a tomb.

But God raised Him from the dead.

The One who humbled Himself was exalted. The rejected King became the victorious King. Sin was defeated, death was conquered, and salvation was secured for everyone who trusts in Him.

Hannah declared that God “raises up the poor from the dust” and “lifts the needy from the ash heap” (1 Samuel 2:8). The gospel shows us the fullest expression of God’s gracious reversal. We come to Christ spiritually helpless and unable to rescue ourselves. God doesn’t save us because we’re impressive, powerful, or worthy. He saves us by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Hannah’s story also reminds us that God may be doing far more through our present circumstances than we realize.

When Hannah entered the house of God weeping, she wanted a child. She couldn’t have known that Samuel would become one of Israel’s most significant prophets. She couldn’t see Saul, David, or the coming kingdom. She certainly couldn’t see the full biblical storyline that would eventually lead to Jesus.

She simply knew where to take her burden. That’s where this book begins.

As we continue our study of this book, 1 Samuel will introduce us to prophets, warriors, priests, kings, battles, victories, failures, friendships, betrayals, and acts of impressive faith. But before any of that happens, we meet a woman praying.

And through Hannah’s prayer, God begins directing our attention toward a King.

Not just the king Israel will demand. Not even the king Samuel will eventually anoint in Bethlehem. The story ultimately points toward Jesus Christ, the Son of David, God’s Anointed One, and the King whose kingdom will never end.

Hannah could rejoice because God heard her prayer and gave her Samuel. We have an even greater reason to rejoice. God has given us His Son.

And that means that the King we’ve been searching for has come.