1 SAMUEL 1

HANNAH PRAYERFULLY PLEADS GOD FOR A SON

A man named Elkanah has two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. Although Hannah cannot have children, Elkanah loves her more.

Out of jealousy, Peninnah provokes and irritates Hannah, mocking her for being childless. Elkanah reassures Hannah that their relationship is extremely valuable to him regardless of her ability to have children.

Hannah enters the temple passionately and prayerfully weeping, crying out to God to give her a son. She promises God that if she is able to have a son, she will give him back to God. Eli, one of the priests, sees Hannah and assumes she is drunk because of her great distress. Hannah assures Eli that she is not drunk, but that she is pouring out her soul before God.

Seeing Hannah’s fervor, Eli promises that God will provide her a son. When Hannah conceives a son, she names him Samuel and praised God for His provision.