Story of Hannah

The birth of Samuel the judge/prophet of Israel is interesting to say the least. In 1 Samuel 1-11 it talks about Samuels father who's name was Elkanah, and he had two wives one named Peninnah and the other named Hannah. Now Hannah didn't have any children as it says the Lord shut her womb(1 Sam 1:6) but Peninnah on the other hand did have children, and she would make Hannah feel bad because she did not.  It says Hannah would weep and refuse to eat when they would go and make offerings at the house of the LORD because of the ridicule from Peninnah(1 Sam 1:7)

One year Hannah was in such despair that it says she went alone to pray to the LORD in bitterness of soul weeping in anguish(1 Sam 1:10) the word bitterness here in the hebrew is "Mar"  to be in pain or heavy laden/discontent, in this case it is saying her soul was in much pain she was heavy laden weeping in grief. In this moment Hannah asks God to grace her with a son, she makes a vow with God that if he would indeed give her a son she will offer him to God for all his days. (1 Sam 1:11)

Now notice Hannah a woman of God, in all the despair and sorrow she was in didn't curse God, She went before the LORD GOD Almighty and asked to receive His grace and His mercy and promised to give this child to God. Interestingly enough Hannah's name means Grace and God did show her grace by giving her a son which she named Samuel(1 Sam 1:20) [ later He would also show her more grace when Hannah; who had begged for a child..wept and pleaded for one, and the LORD gave her Samuel, she did what she promised and gave the child up, and The LORD blessed her with more children (1 Sam 2:21) ] after Samuel was born Hannah gave all glory to God:

And Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; My horn is

exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.

"No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any 

rock like our God.

"Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth,

For the LORD is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed.

"The bows of the mighty men are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with

strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, and the

hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, and she who has many children has become feeble.

"The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up.

The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap,

To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory.

"For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, And He has set the world upon them.

He will guard the feet of His saints, but the wicked shall be silent in darkness.

"For by strength no man shall prevail. 

The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces;  From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to His king, and exalt the horn of His anointed."

1 Samuel 2:1-10

Amen Hannah..Amen! All glory to GOD!