Book of 1 Samuel 1-2 (Hanna's Prayer)
Humanly speaking we see a story of jealousy, and verbal bullying. Penninah knew that her
husband loved Hannah more than her and she retaliated taunting Hannah with her inability to conceive. Hannah yearned for a child and she did what many do in distress - she went to God in prayer.
Unknown to Hannah, God was using her circumstances to drive her to a particular kind of
prayer. God was not displeased with Hannah, but He held her in high esteem. God needed a
special man to be a leader during a crucial period in the nation's history. He needed a child set
apart and dedicated to the Lord's Service, brought to love the laws and worship of God's chosen people (Eli's sons had no regard for the Lord). So Eli was to be given a second chance to groom a successor.
Hannah was the ideal mother for God's servant Samuel. During the six years Samuel was in her care, she molded his character, she taught him to reverence the Lord, she set him an example of love and devotion to God; she laid a foundation of Samuel's principled life. God does not rejoice in failure, disappointments and discouragements however they are at times are part of His purpose and plan for greater things. Some of the choicest flowers are grown in the most harsh environments.
Hannah's Prayer was: focused - direct in what she wanted; she brought her misery to the Lord - being honest; she appealed for God's grace - she did not complain.
Hannah was a blessing to the whole nation of Israel. Her son was a great and godly influence
upon the Lord's people. Bringing up her son was a ministry that cannot be despised and shows
the responsibility of a precious ruby before God's eyes.
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