Who Was Hannah in the Bible — Meaning Explained

Hannah's story is told in 1 Samuel 1-2. She was married to Elkanah, who loved her, but she was barren while his other wife Peninnah had children and 'provoked her sore, for to make her fret' (1:6). Hannah was 'in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore' (1:10). Her silent, fervent prayer was so intense that Eli the priest thought she was drunk (1:13). She vowed, 'If thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me... but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life' (1:11). God remembered Hannah, and Samuel was born (1:20). True to her vow, after weaning him she brought Samuel to the tabernacle: 'For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD' (1:27-28). Hannah's prayer of praise (2:1-10) foreshadows Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). God blessed Hannah with five more children (2:21). Her story demonstrates that desperate prayer moves God's heart, and that our greatest gifts — even our children — belong to Him.