Day 14

It came about in due time after Hannah had conceived that she gave birth to a son, and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him of the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:20

Today, we are talking about Hannah and her son Samuel. While they are not direct ancestors of Jesus, their place in salvation history and Jesus’s family tree is very important! Hannah was married to a man named Elkanah. She wanted to have a baby very much. Her heart ached as year after year passed, and God did not bless her with a child. One night, at the temple, she prayed with all her heart to God; as she prayed, tears flowed from her eyes. Eli, a temple priest, saw her talking to God while sobbing, and he mistakenly thought she was drunk! Hannah assured him she was not and explained she was suffering in deep sorrow because she had not yet become a mother. Eli assured her with the peace of knowing that God hears all prayers. 

Soon, Hannah was pregnant! She gave birth to a sweet baby boy named Samuel. With deep gratitude for God’s generosity, Hannah offered Samuel back to God to a life dedicated to Him as a priest. Samuel became a great priest, and prophet, and was the last judge of the Israelites. Toward the end of his life, he listened carefully to God’s will for Israel and anointed David as King. David was an unlikely choice in the eyes of his father and brothers, but Samuel listened only to God! We will learn more about David soon. 

Hannah’s story reminds us of the dignity of our fertility, and that children are not a right to be demanded. In her humility, Hannah yearned for a child but knew God’s will must be done in all things. After having Samuel, Hannah sings a beautiful prayer to God, proclaiming His greatness, love, and might. Her gratitude for answered prayer and her generosity with all God gave her is an example for us to do the same!