We know Hannah for her sorrow. She longed for a son, but couldn’t have children. We know her for her faithfulness. Hannah never gave up hope that God would hear her prayer. We also know her for her sacrifice. She dedicated her baby Samuel to the Lord and left him at the temple to serve God “all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 1:11 NIV).
Hannah is one of the most recognizable women in Scripture for all these reasons. Many of us remember her story for her deep anguish over not being a mother. We all most likely recall her time at the temple, taking her request to God in powerful prayer. And what mom wouldn’t be impacted by Hannah’s bold move – leaving her little blessing at the temple to be raised by Eli the priest?
Hannah's Story in the Bible
Hannah's story is a beautiful example of faith and persistence in prayer. You can find her story in 1 Samuel chapters 1 and 2. Hannah was married to a man named Elkanah, but she was heartbroken because she couldn't have children. To make matters worse, Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, who had children, would taunt her mercilessly (1 Samuel 1:1-7).
One day, Hannah went to the temple and poured out her heart to God. She was deeply distressed and prayed with such fervor that the priest Eli thought she was drunk. She promised God that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord all the days of his life (1 Samuel 1:10-11).
God heard Hannah's prayer, and she gave birth to a son named Samuel. True to her word, once Samuel was weaned, she brought him to the temple to serve the Lord under Eli's guidance (1 Samuel 1:20-28). Samuel grew up to be a great prophet, and Hannah's faithfulness was rewarded.
Hannah's story doesn't end there. In a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving, she praises God for His goodness and power (1 Samuel 2:1-10). Moreover, God blessed Hannah with more children after Samuel (1 Samuel 2:21).
Hannah's story teaches us about the power of persistent prayer and trusting in God's timing and faithfulness. Her life had significant moments that stand out, but there are other facts about her we often overlook. Are you wondering if there’s more to Hannah’s story than you thought? Here are 5 things you may not know about Hannah in the Bible.
1. Hannah knew how to respond with grace, or not respond at all.
Hannah showed unmatched restraint with her words. She not only knew the right things to say, but also when to say nothing. For years Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife, ridiculed Hannah for her infertility. Yet instead of responding to her tormentor, she kept her mouth shut.
During one of the family’s annual trips to the tabernacle, Hannah had enough of the ridicule. She didn’t lash out at Peninnah, but she knew it was time to do something. She left the dinner table and went straight to God with her plea. Her character was tested when Eli accused her of being drunk. And once again Hannah demonstrated grace and humility through her words.
“Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation” (1 Samuel 1:16 ESV). By describing herself as Eli’s servant, she acknowledged his position of authority. When she could have easily mouthed back at him, she chose to display proper respect.
2. Eli the priest asked God to bless Hannah with a child more than once.
Once Hannah explained herself to Eli, his heart softened. He then reassured her of God’s intention to answer her prayer for a son. But that was just the first time Eli went to God on Hannah’s behalf.
Eli was right. God answered her prayer. But the story didn’t end when Hannah gave birth to Samuel. It didn’t end when she took him to the temple either. Each year Eli blessed Elkanah and Hannah again, asking God to give them more children because of her sacrifice.
“Before they returned home, Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, ‘May the Lord give you other children to take the place of this one she gave to the Lord’” (1 Samuel 2:20 NLT).
3. Hannah had 5 more children after Samuel.
God didn’t just honor Eli’s blessing the first time. God continued to answer the prayers for Hannah. She had three more sons and two daughters while Samuel “grew up in the presence of the Lord” (>1 Samuel 2:21b NLT).
Hannah prayed fervently for her children, before and after God granted her the blessing of having them. Need to pray for the children in your life? Download our FREE prayer guide for blessings for your children.
4. Hannah was the fourth woman in biblical history to suffer through infertility.
Before Hannah, three other women endured the despair of not being able to conceive. Sarah was the first, followed by Rebekah and then Rachel. However, Hannah accepted God’s promise with unwavering faith. The other three did not.
Sarah laughed at the angel’s proclamation that God would give her a child. (Genesis 18:12 NIV) Rebekah questioned, “If all is well, why am I like this?” as her twins struggled in the womb. (Genesis 25:22 NKJV) Rachel gave the responsibility to her husband. (Genesis 30:1 NIV) But Hannah trusted God without doubt or concern. Her reverent fear of the Lord was just one more quality of her godly character.
5. Hannah’s prayer prophesied the birth of Jesus, the coming Messiah.
Hannah's famous prayer, often referred to as Hannah's Song, is a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving and praise to God. It can be found in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Here is the text of her prayer:
1 Samuel 2:1-10 (NIV):
Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.
There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.
The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up.
The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.
For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world.
He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.
It is not by strength that one prevails;
those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.
He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed."
As Hannah dedicated Samuel back to the Lord, she fulfilled her commitment. How hard this must have been for her as a mom! I wonder whether I would have been able to go through with it, but Hannah praised God for her blessing. She thanked Him for His sovereignty. And at the end of her prayer, we find evidence of God’s plan for the salvation of all mankind.
“He gives power to his king; he increases the strength of his anointed one” (1 Samuel 2:10b NLT).
Some scholars believe this verse refers to King David, who Samuel would one day anoint as king over Israel. Yet, according to Matthew Henry Commentary, many theologians claim this verse goes beyond King David to the birth of Jesus.
The commentary states, “We have reason to think that this prophecy looks further, to the kingdom of Christ, and the administration of that kingdom of grace… The ancient expositors, both Jewish and Christian, make it to look beyond David to the Son of David.”
These 5 details of Hannah’s life tell us a lot about her as a person – real, humble, passionate. By looking at these details, we can understand her trials and rejoice in her triumphs. And just maybe, we can learn a little something about our own lives as well.
Kristine Brown is a writer, dramatist, and former English teacher. She desires to support women in their spiritual lives with practical teaching for real-life struggles. Kristine devotes her time to freelance writing and her non-profit ministry, More Than Yourself, Inc. You can read more from Kristine at www.morethanyourself.com.
photo credit: created and edited used Dall-e AI