We can learn form every character in the bible through their stories. We learned from David that we all have challenges that we must face, even giant ones, and that God gives us the strength to get through those challenges. The story of Ruth and Naomi shows us that having faith and strong friendships can lead us down the right path. The story of Hosea shows us the steadfast and faithful love that God has for us. From every story, we are feed wisdom that are still relevant to this day. The story of Hannah teaches great and powerful lessons that can be used in our lives today. I. Overview of the Character.
Hannah is one of Elkanah’s two wives. Hannah was unable to have children but Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife, could have children. Hannah desperately desired a child but the Lord had closed her womb. Time after time, Peninnah would tease Hannah because she had the one thing Hannah desired the most. Peninnah made Hannah so miserable that she would not eat. Elkanah would go to Hannah and ask her why she was so down and why she was not eating. Hannah told her husband why she was so upset and in return would get mad at her, because he did not understand why he wasn’t enough for her.
Hannah prayed to Lord that he would one day bless her with a son. Hannah prayed to the Lord during her pain and made a vow to the Lord, “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut. ” (1 Samuel 1:11) During Hannah’s prayer, the Priest Eli mistaken her as being a Drunk. Eli asked Hannah how long she was going to be drunk and Hannah responded that she as not drunk only depressed.
Eli told Hannah to go in peace and that the Lord will grant her request. Hannah was removed from her depression and went on her way. Later, the Lord had heard Hannah’s request and she became pregnant with a son who she named Samuel. She gave Samuel to Lord, just as she said she would and he grew up to be a great leader of Israel. Hannah was also blessed with more children after the birth of Samuel. Hannah is the true definition of faithfulness to God. Even though the Lord had not given her the one thing that she desired her, faith in god never diminished.
I remember doing a study on Hannah in High school and I was so fascinated by how relatable her story was. Hannah is great role model for girls and women. II. Their World. A. Political 1 Samuel takes place around eleventh century B. C. , a time when superpowers were not a major player in Palestine. (Fee, G& Stuart, D. , 2002, p. 83). The events within 1 & 2 Samuel took place over a span of 130 years. In 1 & 2 Samuel, we see Israel’s, transition from tribal government to national government. In 1 Samuel, no true political leader existed in Israel. Big decisions were made by clans or a group of’elders’ from different clans.
During this time, men were the ones who filled the leadership roles within their clans and utilized the primary social power within the culture. Women were not allowed to have more than one husband at a time, but men might have more than one wife at a time. Hannah’s marriage is an example of this, her husband Elkanah had two wives Hannah and Peninnah. This was common among marriages where the first wife was unable to have children. Women were valued because of their ability to produce children, and this wasn’t important so that families would have a male heir.
B. Economic. At the time of 1 & 2 Samuel, around 50 million people lived in societies where their lives were centered on agriculture. Israel lacked many significant natural defenses and there was no source of a useful river. Even though there were some major natural disadvantages it still managed to become a dominant military and cultural power along the eastern shores. (Bergen, R. 2010) C. Religious. Elkanah would go to the worship God and whenever he offered a sacrifice, he in return would give a portion to each of his wives.
With Peninnah it was evident from the way that she treated Hannah that she is not a follower of God. Hannah on the other hand is very faithful to God. You see her faithfulness to God in her prayer and how she promised her son to him. D. Social. Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah who was the son of Jeroham. Elkanah loved Hannah dearly even though she was unable to have children. Hannah’s desire to want children so bad often frustrated Elkanah because Hannah made him feel as though he wasn’t enough for her. Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, treated and Hannah like dirt.
She constantly was teasing Hannah because she had the one thing Hannah wanted most. III. Significance. Hannah prayed and cried out to God for him to give her a son. The Lord heard her cry and blessed her with a son who named Samuel, which means “asked or heard of God”. Samuel become a prophet of God, a judge, and leader to the nation of Israel. After she gave birth to Samuel, Hannah was blessed with even more children. Hannah’s life show us the power of prayer and that God is always listening. Hannah had faith and truly believed that God would bless her with a child. IV. Lessons from This Character.
Hannah understood Gods sovereignty even though Hannah was constantly teased by Peninnah that never changed Hannah’s perspective on God. Hannah knew that God was in control and that he works everything out based on His purpose. Her faith never diminished. Hannah’s story teaches us to not give up Hope, because God hears our prayers. God has a purpose in everything he does, and we just should have faith in his timing just as Hannah did. Hannah is also the true example of patience. Peninnah teased Hannah constantly because she was unable to have children, but Hannah never lashed out at Peninnah.
Hannah always stayed poised and turned to God about the struggles she was facing. Hannah knew how to keep her mouth shut and to not retaliate to the awful things Peninnah said to her. Peninnah was what in today’s time we would call a mean girl or a bully. So, I think we can learn from Hannah that when there is a mean girl tormenting us that we should just keep our mouths shut and let God handle the issue. We also see that God is there for the weak. Hannah represents the weak and Peninnah the strong and the strong often mock the weak.
The weak turn to God for strength, just as Hannah did. Hannah understood that her strength came from the Lord and not herself. She did not boost about her strength, but rejoiced about God’s ability to make one who was once weak strong. God hears the prayers of the weak and he will rescue the Hannah’s of this World. From Hannah’s story, we see the power of prayer and that God does have a plan for our lives. Hannah’s one wish was for a son and the Lord heard her cry. She was blessed with a son who grew up to be a great leader. Hannah’s story is one that everyone can relate to even now.
