The lives of many great men in the Bible began with a (previously) barren mother. Isaac (Sarah), Jacob (Rebekah), Joseph (Rachel), John the Baptist (Elizabeth), Samson (anonymous wife of Manoah), and Samuel (Hannah). Let’s look into the story of Hannah, and the issue of barrenness. We begin 1 Samuel 1 with Hannah’s story.
Elkanah had two wives: Hannah and Peninnah. “Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.” (1 Samuel 1:2).
The family would come to Shiloh (the capital of Israel and the resting place of the tabernacle at that time) to worship and sacrifice to the LORD each year. Elkanah would give each member of his family portions of meat to sacrifice, but he would give Hannah a double portion. It states that he did this “because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb.” (1 Samuel 1:5).
Just as with Leah and Rachel, the two wives had a rivalry. “Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.” (1 Samuel 1:6-7).
Her husband was sweet. He clearly was trying his best to comfort her. “Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8). However, only God could bring Hannah the breakthrough that she needed.
Hannah went to the house of the LORD alone. She wept bitterly in her deep anguish and prayed, “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, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” (1 Samuel 1:10-11).
This vow, to dedicate her son to the LORD, is interesting. Elkanah’s descendants would be Levites, therefore, they may be dedicated to the priesthood at the age of 30. Hannah’s promise was that her son would be even more dedicated to the LORD. He would serve many more years in full service to the LORD.
He also would be set aside with a greater display of holiness, that of a Nazarite. A Nazarite (think Samson, Judges 13) will not shave or cut their hair, nor will they drink alcohol or other intoxicants. Some people of that era would take similar vows for a limited period of time; while very few, like Samuel, would practice this lifestyle from birth.
Back to Hannah. She was really, really discouraged. Hurt, distressed, tired of waiting so long for the desire of her heart. So she was crying and praying to the LORD silently. Her lips were moving, but she wasn’t speaking aloud. Eli the priest was sitting in a chair by the doorpost. Watching…and judging, Eli thought that she was drunk.
“How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” (1 Samuel 1:14). Instead of running away in embarrassment, Hannah explained her predicament. Sobered with compassion, Eli blessed Hannah.
Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” (1 Samuel 1:17).
My favorite part is next. Hannah didn’t know that God would grant her request. But she clearly had faith and gained peace. “Then she went away and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” (1 Samuel 1:18).
The LORD loves us. He cares that we eat! He hurts when we hurt; and it breaks His heart when our faces are downcast.
“The LORD remembered her. 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 1:19-20).
Hannah weaned Samuel (until the age of two or three) and then brough him back to the house of the LORD to live and serve with Eli the priest.
“Parden me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood her beside you praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” (1 Samuel 1:26-28).
Hannah was given the desire of her heart; and she did not forget that it was God who granted her this beautiful gift. She kept her vow, and we will see that in later chapters that God is kind to her throughout her years.
Why did Hannah have to experience barrenness, and the cruelty of her rival for so many years? We don’t know why bad things happen; we live in a fallen world. But God redeems our circumstances. We can trust that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28). What others may mean for evil, God will use for good (Genesis 50:20).
As a result of her years of barrenness, Hannah learned to trust in the LORD. She received a son, then many children after. She forged a close, compassionate relationship with her husband Elkanah. Eli received a chance to finally raise a child right (more on that in later chapters). Israel received a powerful, virtuous prophet of God. Saul received a mentor and a guide. And David received an anointing. Thank God for Hannah’s barren years and for God’s beautiful redemption.
God can redeem your years of barrenness too. Whether literal, or a desert season for another God-given desire, God has the power and the willingness to bring you into the next season. Because you ask the LORD for it (1 Samuel 1:20).
Wait on Him. Cry out to Him. Bitterly, if that is how you feel. He doesn’t despise you tears. He has plans for you; and your barren years will come to an end when the time is right (Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 54; Isaiah 60:22).
Thank you for reading about Hannah and the issue of barrenness. If interested in reading more, check out the latest entry in the Names of God series, El Olam (The Everlasting God).
