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Hannah appears in the Bible during the last days of the judges of Israel when “there was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Even though Elkanah, Hannah’s husband, was a godly man, he followed the common practice of polygamy. Unfortunately, Hannah was barren. This was the ultimate curse for a married woman then.
Hannah’s sadness—1 Samuel 1:1–7
Hannah had been married to Elkanah for a number of years and had not borne him any children, while Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife, had children constantly and yet harassed Hannah for her barrenness.
Hannah’s supplication—1 Samuel 1:9–18
Hannah was childless but she wasn’t without prayer. Before God, she wept, prayed, and vowed that if God gave her a son, she would give him back to the Lord. Eli, the priest, assured Hannah that her prayer had been heard. With great joy, Hannah returned home with a renewed trust in God.
Hannah’s son—1 Samuel 1:19–28
Before the next year’s trip to the house of the Lord, Hannah gave birth to a son. When the child was weaned, Hannah brought little Samuel, her only child, to the priest Eli and left him there.
Hannah’s song—1 Samuel 2:1–10
Standing with her son before Eli, Hannah uttered a song of thanksgiving. While her earlier prayer came from bitterness, this prayer of praise came from joy and gratitude to God. The contents of her prayer form the basis of the “Magnificat” offered up by Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the same covenant-keeping God (Luke 1:46– 55).
Hannah’s sacrifice—1 Samuel 2:11
More than anything, Hannah wanted a son, and when God gave her one, she fulfilled her vow to give Samuel back to the Lord. Her sacrifice was rewarded by God with the births of five more children. Samuel grew up to reflect his mother’s godliness and became a man of prayer and intercession for God’s people all his days.
What has Hannah taught us?
PONDER
Hannah perfectly illustrates how unpleasant circumstances can produce a beautiful outcome.
RESPOND
Lord, thank You for Hannah’s example of a mother after God’s own heart. I pray that my child will follow You for a lifetime. I want to start today to be a mom like Hannah— a mom who prays, instructs, and dedicates my children to You for Your purposes. Help Yourself to my children’s lives! Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES 
Do you long to nurture a meaningful prayer life? For all the ordinary and extraordinary situations you face each day comes a collection of 100 prayers from bestselling author Elizabeth George. Short devotions follow each prayer to help you navigate your relationships with your family, friends, and the world around you.
REFLECT
Does my suffering compel me to turn to God in prayer?
REMEMBER
Make good on your promises.
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Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
One of my favorite words in the English language is “bittersweet.” It’s sort of like the well-known announcement, “I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” This picturesque term always reminds me that many occurrences in life fall simultaneously into the glad/sad category, bringing forth both emotions at once.