They
rose up in the morning early, and worshiped before Yahweh and returned and came to their house to Ramah. Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Yahweh remembered her. It happened when the time had come, that Hannah conceived and bore a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of Yahweh.”
1 Samuel 1:19-20
1 Samuel 1 [15.] Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have not been drinking wine or strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Yahweh. Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman; for I have been speaking out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation.”
1 Samuel 1 [17.] Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him.”
1 Samuel 1 [18.] She said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way, and ate; and her facial expression wasn’t sad any more.
1 Samuel 1 [19.] They rose up in the morning early, and worshiped before Yahweh, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah. Then Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Yahweh remembered her.
1 Samuel 1 [20.] When the time had come, Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of Yahweh.”
1 Samuel 1 [21.] The man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. But Hannah didn’t go up; for she said to her husband, “Not until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before Yahweh, and stay there forever.”
Meaning:
- Diligent Worship:
They rose up in the morning early, and worshiped before Yahweh: The narrative begins with a beautiful act of worship. Despite the challenges and heartache, Hannah, along with her husband Elkanah, rises early to worship before Yahweh. This reflects a posture of faith and reverence.
Returned and came to their house to Ramah: After worship, they return to their home in Ramah. This seemingly ordinary act marks a transition in the narrative, setting the stage for a divine intervention in their lives.
- Divine Remembrance:
Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Yahweh remembered her: The intimacy between Elkanah and Hannah is acknowledged. Yet, the pivotal moment is the divine remembrance. God, in His infinite compassion, remembers Hannah. This remembrance is not a passive acknowledgment but an active engagement with her situation.
Yahweh remembered her: This phrase carries profound significance. It signifies God's attentiveness and responsiveness to the cries of His people. Hannah's longing and prayers are not overlooked but deeply etched in the heart of God.
- The Fulfillment of Promise:
When the time had come, that Hannah conceived and bore a son: In due season, Hannah conceives, and the miraculous fulfillment of her desire takes place. The birth of a son is not just a biological event but a divine response to Hannah's heartfelt prayers.
She named him Samuel, saying, 'Because I have asked him of Yahweh': The name Samuel itself becomes a testimony. It is a declaration that this child, given in response to prayer, is a direct gift from Yahweh. His name encapsulates the acknowledgment of divine favor and Hannah's dependence on God.
- Significance:
Faithfulness of God: The narrative underscores God's faithfulness in remembering His people. Hannah's story is a testament that God is attentive to the prayers and longings of His children, intervening in their lives in His perfect timing.
Prayer as a Channel of Blessing: Hannah's persistent prayers serve as a powerful example. Her story encourages believers to approach God with their deepest desires, trusting that He hears and responds according to His will.
Relevance for Today:
Encouragement in Waiting: 1 Samuel 1:19-20 is a source of encouragement for those in seasons of waiting. It assures us that God's remembrance and fulfillment of promises are not confined to the pages of ancient scripture but are relevant for believers today.
The Power of Worship: The act of worship in the midst of challenges is a poignant reminder of the transformative power of worship. It sets the stage for divine encounters and positions the worshiper to receive from God.
Cross-References:
Psalm 20:4: "May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your counsel." This verse echoes the theme of God granting the desires of the heart, as seen in the fulfillment of Hannah's longing for a child.
Psalm 113:9: "He settles the barren woman in her home, as a joyful mother of children. Praise Yah!" This verse resonates with the joy of a once barren woman becoming a joyful mother, akin to Hannah's transformation.
In Our Spiritual Journey: Hannah's narrative invites us to embrace a posture of faith, worship, and persistent prayer. It assures us that in God's timing, our heartfelt petitions are not only heard but answered in ways that exceed our expectations.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible