Women of the Bible: Hannah

The story 

Then Hannah rose after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.   She made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.”  1 Samuel 1:9

**Hannah suffered greatly because of her inability to have children.  Her husband’s other wife, Peninnah cruelly taunted her and never let her forget her anguish.  Amazingly, Hannah did not retaliate.  Instead, she poured out her heart to the only one who could help her.  In God’s time, her prayer was answered and she gave birth to her son, Samuel.  

Hannah could have taken her child and lived out the rest of her life happily raising him and enjoying her blessing, but she didn’t.  Because God had heard her cries and honored her request, she was faithful and gave her child right back to Him for service in His kingdom.  

Women need other strong women to admire, respect, and emulate - Hannah qualifies!  

God’s Promise

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due reason we will reap if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9