26/08/2026
The Story of Hannah — 1 Samuel 1-2
Her Origin & Family Background
Hannah was from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. She was one of two wives of a man named Elkanah, a Levite who lived in Shiloh.
Elkanah’s other wife was Peninnah
Peninnah had children.
Hannah had none. In those days, not having a child was seen as deep shame and pain for a woman.
Every year Elkanah’s family went up to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord at the Tabernacle, where the priest Eli served.
Because Hannah was barren, Peninnah would provoke her and make fun of her to irritate her. This went on year after year. Hannah would weep and not eat.
One year, after they had finished eating in Shiloh, Hannah got up. With deep bitterness in her soul, she went to the Tabernacle and poured out her heart to God
“Lord Almighty, if you will 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.”
She prayed silently. Her lips moved but her voice wasn’t heard. Priest Eli saw her and thought she was drunk. When he realized she was praying in anguish, he told her: “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
Hannah believed. She went home, ate, and her face was no longer downcast.
Soon after, the Lord remembered her and she conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, meaning _“asked of the Lord”_, because she had asked him from the Lord.
When Samuel was weaned, Hannah kept her vow. She took him to Shiloh and dedicated him to serve in the Tabernacle under Eli all the days of his life.
After giving Samuel to God, Hannah prayed one of the most beautiful prayers in the Bible — 1 Samuel 2:1-10. It’s a song of joy, saying God lifts the poor, gives strength, and no one is holy like the Lord.
Later, God blessed Hannah with 3 more sons and 2 daughters
Question 🙋♀️
1. who were the two wives of Elkanah mentioned in the story?
2. What vow did Hannah make to God when she prayed at the Tabernacle in Shiloh?
3. According to the story, name 2 lessons we can learn from Hannah’s life.