In our program of reading through the History section of the Old Testament, we’re entering 1 Samuel, which starts with the story of Hannah giving birth to Samuel, who will be a prominent character. It’s another story of a delayed pregnancy (compare Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Rachel, Samson’s mother, Zechariah and Elizabeth).

There once was a man who lived in Ramathaim. He was descended from the old Zuph family in the Ephraim hills. His name was Elkanah…He had two wives. The first was Hannah; the second was Peninnah. Peninnah had children; Hannah did not. (1 Samuel 1.1 – 2, MSG)

Every year, the family would go to Shiloh to worship, and Hannah’s “rival wife taunted her cruelly.” One year, Hannah gave herself to a specific prayer dedicating a future son to God:

Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to GOD and cried and cried—inconsolably. Then she made a vow: Oh, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain, If you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me By giving me a son, I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you. I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline. (1 Samuel 1.10 -11, MSG)

For some reason, Eli the high priest can’t tell a praying woman from a drunk woman.

He approached her and said, “You’re drunk! How long do you plan to keep this up? Sober up, woman!” Hannah said, “Oh no, sir—please! I’m a woman hard used. I haven’t been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I’ve been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to GOD…  (1 Samuel 1.14 – 16, MSG)

He recovers, and we have this important exchange.

Eli answered her, “Go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him.” “Think well of me—and pray for me!” she said, and went her way. Then she ate heartily, her face radiant. (1 Samuel 1.17 – 18, MSG)

Two simple lessons:

• When you’re up against it, pray and pray harder!
• Hannah cheered up BEFORE she conceived Samuel! Her change of mood was an act of faith, a response to the promise.

Her joy continues into chapter two. Stay tuned.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Philippians 4.6, 7, MSG)