Hannah wanted a son; but. God wanted a prophet

Hannah is not the primary character in the story. Nor is Samuel. Pivotal to the whole story, the central cohesive element, the linchpin, is God himself. Everything else—Hannah’s barrenness, Hannah’s prayer, Samuel’s birth—is the working out of God’s eternal plan.” ¹

Hannah longed to give birth to a son. However, in I Samuel 1:5, 6, we read, “the Lord closed Hannah’s womb.” Hannah prayed, asking God to give her a son for several years. Hannah went with her husband to the temple to worship, and feeling hopeless, she prayed and wept. Eli, the priest, thought she was drunk. Hamah responded, “I am praying out of great anguish and grief.”

God was not answering her prayer, but God had a plan. When she reached the point of desperation, she made this vow: “O Lord Almighty, if you will look down upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime” (I Samuel 1:11). 

After Hannah returned home, her prayer was answered; God opened her womb, conceived, gave birth to a son, and named him Samuel. Hannah asked for a son, and God gave her a prophet. God answered more abundantly than she wondered when her heart and God’s heart became a perfect match.  

In Samuel 3:1, we read,” in those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.” God needed a prophet to communicate His heart to the Israelites.

God was working according to His plan. He was not at a loss. We read in I Samuel 2:35, “I will raise for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind.” God worked out His plan when Hannah found herself in this hopeless situation. If Hannah’s prayer for a son had been answered immediately, she might not have given him to the Lord as she did. Hannah’s prayer for a child began in the heart of God. Samuel became a mighty warrior on the battlefield and in the prayer closet. God powerfully used Samuel.  

This is an excellent lesson to learn when praying for our grandchildren. When challenges come into their lives and are not answered according to their or our schedules, God may be working out His plan, which is far greater. When praying for your grandchildren, pray God will work His plan in their lives. 

By Lillian Penner, Emeritus, Co-Prayer director for Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

2003 The Praying Life, Jennifer Kennedy Dean, Waiting on God. P 98