Summary
The book of 1 Samuel opens up with a problem we see repeated in the Bible: a barren woman who shares a husband with a fertile wife. As Hannah suffers under the torment of the situation, as well as a loud-mouthed rival, she finds solace in her prayers. She pleads passionately with God to take away her shame, not so much for her reputation, but for His glory. She punctuates this by promising the child to the service of God. God answers her prayer, she has a son, and she brings him to the House of the Lord at Shiloh to dedicate him to the service of God. Like those before her and those yet to came, the barren woman bears a child who plays a major role in God’s plan, to remind us that it is by His hand that this is happening. Hannah’s story is also a foreshadowing of the rest of the book: the difference between what blessed/strong look like from an earthly level to how God sees value. The weak are used to shame the wise, not because God doesn’t love the wise, but because their wisdom keeps them from finding their hope in Him.
Bible References
- 1 Samuel 1:1 - 28
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