1 Samuel 1:10–18, 26–28

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Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

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1 Samuel 1:10–18, 26–28

Hannah’s Prayer (10–11)

The Book of Samuel begins with Hannah longing for a child, for at present she is not able to conceive. The theme of barrenness is not uncommon in the Bible. Women like Sarah and Rachel, and now Hannah, are barren for a time until God opens their wombs. 

Their barrenness is not because of sin. On the contrary, these are righteous women whom God chose to close their wombs. Like these women, Hannah will give birth to a child, a child she promises to “give to the Lord all the days of his life” (v. 11).

Eli’s Affirmation and Hannah’s Presentation (12–18, 26–28)

As Hannah prays, Eli assumes her to be drunk. After Hannah explains her anguish and prayer, Eli prays that the Lord might grant her petition (vv. 13–17). 

In time God answers Hannah’s prayer and she conceives a son, calling him Samuel. After a period of weaning, Hannah fulfills her promise: she brings Samuel to Eli and offers him in service to the Lord. Samuel would serve the Lord all of his days and be a mighty prophet, eventually anointing a shepherd boy named David as king of Israel.

As we reflect on the story of Hannah, it is easy to focus solely on her longing for a child and his eventual birth. There is a larger story in view. Hannah’s story contributes to the overall narrative of the Bible that begins in the garden (Gen. 1–3) and ends in a new garden (Rev. 20–22). 

In the first garden, Adam and Eve sin and God curses them — He says they will return to dust, that is, they will die (Gen. 3:19). Yet in the midst of curses, God offers them hope. He promises that the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent (Gen. 3:15), a devastating blow that would undo the curse and open the way for mankind to dwell in a new Eden forever (Rev. 22). 

But who is this mysterious child? Following the Old Testament storyline, we see that God gives Abraham the promise of offspring (Gen. 12:1–3). Then centuries later God promises to David that one of his descendants would rule over his people forever (2 Sam. 7). Paul explains that this kingly, skull-crushing offspring of Abraham and David is none other than Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:15–18; Ps. 2). 

The birth of Jesus had been anticipated for centuries, being promised in Eden and pictured through the barrenness-birth motif in the lives of godly women like Hannah. 

If Hannah prayed years for a child, humanity had been anticipating the child for centuries. And now that He has come and crushed Satan under His feet, defeating him at the cross, the way to a new Eden has been opened for mankind to live under His rule by placing our trust in Him. 

So as we consider the story of Hannah, it is right for us to marvel at the way she longs for a son, pleads with God and He answers her prayer. But we must remember that this story, like that of Sarah and Rachel, points to the long expected birth of Jesus, the kingly son of the woman, born to set His people free from the curse of sin and death and into life in a new garden. 

With this in mind, it seems appropriate to conclude with the words of one of Charles Wesley’s most treasured hymns: “Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.”