HANAH The story of Hannah is one of glorification to God . She was one of the two wives of Elkanah. Hannah was barren and could not have children, but her husband loved her dearly. He would always give her a double portion of what he would give to his other wife, (Peninnah and her children). Elkanah did not care that Hannah could not have children. This is emphasized in the scriptures: “ Am I not better to you than ten sons? ” he asked her, (1 Samuel 1:8). Not having children was devastating to Hannah and Peninnah constantly mocking her about it which made things more difficult for her. Every year the family would go up to the Tabernacle, the House of the Lord to worship and sacrifice. (The Israelites used the Tabernacle as they did not have a Temple yet). One day Hannah was sitting outside the Tabernacle, praying and crying at the same time. No words left her mouth, although her lips were moving. She was praying in her heart asking God to grant her the blessing of a son. She promised God that if she was able to have a son, she would dedicate his whole life to the Lord. While she was praying, Eli, a high priest serving in the Tabernacle, came outside and saw her. He first rebuked her as he thought she was drunk. Hannah explained to Eli that she did not have anything to drink, but that she was sorrowful and was busy poring her soul out to the Lord. He told her to go in peace and that God will grant her petition. Once they got home, God showed Hannah favour and she fell pregnant and had a son. This was fitting to her name, as Hannah means ‘favour’ or ‘grace’. She named her son Samuel, which means ‘asked of God’ or ‘heard by God’ in Hebrew. The following year, Hannah told her husband that she would not be going up to the Tabernacle for the annual worship and sacrifice. She would stay home until Samuel is old enough, and then go up and leave Samuel with the Lord. As Elkanah was also a believer in the Lord, he agreed to this. Once Samuel was weaned, (this was normally between the ages of 2 and 5 years of age), Hannah gathered offerings and went up to the Tabernacle. Once there, they slaughtered a bull and dedicated Samuel to the Lord. Hannah explained to Eli: “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore, I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be lent to the Lord”, (1 Samuel 1:27). After the birth of Samuel, Hannah gave full glory to God in the most beautiful prayer that is recorded in 1 Samuel 2. She rejoiced in the Lord and His salvation and gave the Lord all the glory. The prayer also talks about how God helps the weak, rescues those in distress and the arrogance of the proud. Every year Hannah and her husband went up to the Tabernacle to worship and every time she gave Samuel a new robe, she made for him. Eli spoke a blessing over Hannah and Elkanah and Hannah was blessed with three more sons and two daughters. Samuel grew up to be judge and a prophet and became a great man of God. Through Hannah’s story we learn how rewarding it can be if we have full faith and dedication to God. She was blessed and afterwards gave great honour and glory to God, not relying once on her own strength. This does not mean that we can bargain with God by promising God certain things if He grants us our desires. This is an exclamation from David: " Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart ”, (Psalm 37:4). Since God is sovereign and knows all, it does not necessarily mean that you will get what you want. He knows the desires of your heart and surely knows that it may not necessarily be good for you or where He wants to lead your steps. But with obedience and sincerity, as in the case of Hannah, He certainly will change your life.