“And he said, ‘Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?’” – 1 Samuel 1:8
Bible Verses About Hannah
Faithfulness in Prayer
When we reflect on the life of Hannah, we see a beautiful illustration of faithfulness in prayer. Hannah faced deep distress, yet her response was to pour her heart out to the Lord. In our own lives, we experience moments of overwhelming sorrow and longing, and like Hannah, we are encouraged to bring our requests before God. He hears us, no matter our circumstances, and we can trust that He will respond in His perfect timing. Our prayers reveal our reliance on Him and our belief in His power to change our situations.
1 Samuel 1:10
“In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.” – 1 Samuel 1:10
1 Samuel 1:11
“And she made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life.’” – 1 Samuel 1:11
1 Samuel 1:12
“As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.” – 1 Samuel 1:12
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray continually.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
The Power of Vows
Hannah’s life also teaches us about the significance of vows made to God. When she promised to dedicate her son to the Lord, it was an act of deep faith. As we think about our own commitments to God, we realize that our promises reflect our trust in His plan for our lives. Making a vow is not a light decision; it carries weight and requires us to be steadfast in our follow-through. It demonstrates our willingness to engage with God’s purpose and timing in profound ways.
1 Samuel 1:21
“When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow.” – 1 Samuel 1:21
Psalm 76:11
“Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared.” – Psalm 76:11
Ecclesiastes 5:4
“When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.” – Ecclesiastes 5:4
Psalm 116:12
“What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?” – Psalm 116:12
Matthew 5:37
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37
God’s Faithfulness in Giving
We can look at Hannah’s story and see how God responded to her heartfelt prayers. After years of longing and struggle, He granted her request and provided her with Samuel. This reminds us that God is faithful to His promises and that He gives generously to those who seek Him earnestly. In times of waiting, we grow in our character and in our relationship with God. We learn reliance on Him, knowing that He works all things for our good and His glory.
1 Samuel 1:20
“So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked the Lord for him.’” – 1 Samuel 1:20
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17
Matthew 7:11
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” – Matthew 7:11
Luke 11:13
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” – Luke 11:13
The Importance of Commitment
Hannah’s commitment to dedicating Samuel to the Lord stands as a testament to the importance of our commitments to God and our families. Hannah didn’t just receive a blessing; she actively chose to give back what she had received. This shows us that blessings come with responsibility. When God blesses us, we have an opportunity to give back and reflect His love and generosity to others. Our lives can become living sacrifices, as we strive to honor God with our commitments.
1 Samuel 1:22
“But Hannah did not go up. She said to her husband, ‘After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always.’” – 1 Samuel 1:22
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
Galatians 6:5
“For each one should carry their own load.” – Galatians 6:5
Ephesians 5:2
“And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:2
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
The Blessings of Obedience
As we examine Hannah’s life, we see that obedience to God is met with blessings. When we choose to follow God and obey His commands, we position ourselves to receive the blessings He has in store for us. Hannah’s story illustrates how obedience can be an expression of our faith and trust in God. The blessings that flowed into her life were a direct result of her willingness to obey God. In our own lives, obedience can draw us closer to the Lord and invite His blessings into every area of our lives.
1 Samuel 1:24
“After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh.” – 1 Samuel 1:24
Deuteronomy 28:2
“All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” – Deuteronomy 28:2
1 John 5:3
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” – 1 John 5:3
Luke 11:28
“He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’” – Luke 11:28
James 1:25
“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” – James 1:25
The Joy of Worship
Hannah’s joyful song of praise after Samuel was born illustrates the importance of worship in our lives. In moments of gratitude, we are reminded to worship the Lord with our whole hearts. Worship not only expresses our appreciation for what God has done but also brings us closer to Him. When we make worship a regular part of our lives, we can experience His joy and peace. Hannah’s song can inspire us to express our hearts in worship, celebrating all that God has done.
1 Samuel 2:1
“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.’” – 1 Samuel 2:1
Psalm 100:2
“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” – Psalm 100:2
Psalm 95:1
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” – Psalm 95:1
Psalm 63:4
“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands.” – Psalm 63:4
Hebrews 13:15
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” – Hebrews 13:15
Final Thoughts
In looking at the life of Hannah, we have discovered a journey filled with faithfulness, prayer, commitment, and the power of worship. Hannah’s story teaches us the importance of earnest prayer and the significance of vows. We have found that God is faithful and blesses those who diligently seek Him, as shown by Hannah’s own experiences. The joy that came from Hannah’s obedience and worship further displays how deeply intertwined our faith and our actions can be with God’s blessings.
As we reflect, we are encouraged to offer our praises to God and share our petitions with Him. Just as Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord, we too are called to dedicate our lives and our loved ones to God. This dedication allows us to experience the fullness of His love and grace. Through commitment, obedience, and worship, we find clarity and purpose in our relationship with the Lord.
May we all strive to have hearts like Hannah’s—faithful and committed to God, fostering a desire to serve and worship Him in all we do. For more insights, don’t forget to explore our articles on children being a blessing and childbearing.