Twleve Extraordinary Women: Hannah

Ehart's thoughts on the Hannah chapter can be found here.

I love the few chapters of 1Samuel that tell the history of Hannah. I always have. So, this particular chapter was one that I read with pleasure, great pleasure.

The name Hannah means 'grace.' Thus far in the book, Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur, he has uniquely touched upon the amazing grace that was shown to the women he describes in the book. In fact, he usually recaps the chapter by stating that each woman is extraordinary due to the extraordinary grace that God has shown her. Hannah was no exception.

Hannah was married to Elkanah. Now Elkanah was a Levite, more specifically a Kohathite. Moses and Aaron were Kohathites. The Kohathites were responsible for the furnishings of the tabernacle, which included the ark of the convenant.

Hannah lived during a time period when Israel's spiritual life was most definitely on a downward spiral.

Eli's son's, Hophni and Phinehus, were what MacArthur labels "two of the worst priests we ever meet on the pages of Scripture." They were greedy and immoral. Eli wasn't always the best of patriarchs when it came to disciplining his son's behaviors. He made a weak attempt to rebuke them, even though he was the high priest.

Hannah's history parallels Sarah's in a few key points. First off, Hannah was barren, just as Sarah was. Also, Elkanah had taken a second wife, most likely to produce an heir as Abraham had. Poor Hannah! While Sarah manipulated the situation with Hagar, we are not given the same impression with Hannah. Hannah was dearly loved by her husband and even given a double portion of the peace offering by her husband, Elkanah, when they went to the tabernacle to worship.

While praying and weeping for a child, Eli observes Hannah praying, but assumes Hannah was drunk. Normally, Israelites prayed aloud, but Hannah knew God can see right into her heart, so there was no need for her to pray aloud. Her lips moved as she prayed, and apparently Eli thought she must have been drunk.

After rebuking her for her drunkenness, Hannah explained that she was not, but asked that she find favor in Eli's sight.

Hannah left the temple no longer sad. She had given her concern to God. I'm not so sure that Hannah had assurance her petition would be granted, but she had given the concern up to God. She strongly believed in the sovereignty of God to do His will.

This aspect of Hannah's faith is something I often ponder upon. When I have a low moment, and I'm confused and feeling weak in faith, I think of Hannah. That's one of the reasons that I love the history of Hannah so much. She is a fine example of a faith in God that helped support and comfort her in her trials.

MacArthur states that Hannah had three great loves that weave throughout her life as a godly wife and mother:

1. Love for her husband.
2. Love for heaven.
3. Love for home.

As you read the first few chapters of 1Samuel, it's easy to see Hannah's love for her husband. She desired to give her husband a child. The tender love and care Elkanah exhibits towards Hannah is reciprocated by this godly woman. She dearly loved her husband, even though the tension of having a second wife must have been trying for her. As you may already know, the second wife, Peninnah, was a taunting menace to Hannah. Peninnah had bore Elkanah children, and she didn't mind pointing it out to Hannah.

Hannah's love for heaven is apparent most especially when she finally had received the answer to her prayers by becoming pregnant. The prayer recorded at 1Samuel 2:1-10 is closely paralleled to Mary's Magnificat at Luke 1:46-55. MacArthur does a more detailed comparison of the two pieces of Scripture in the next chapter in the book, which is Mary.

Hannah had also made the vow to give her child (if she were to bear a child) to the Lord. She promptly adheres to this vow by sending Samuel to the tabernacle when he was but a small child. It shows her devotion and obedience to God in heaven.

Hannah had a great love for her home. Samuel grew up to be a devoted and godly man. Hannah influenced her son during the earlier years so he was prepared to devote his life in service to God. She realized the importance of the training she would give to this child, who was only to be living under her roof for a few short years.

Hannah was blessed with five more children. God blessed her with a rich and full family life.

Hannah is a fine example of a godly woman making her way through a culture full of sin and ungodliness.

She was indeed an extraordinary woman.