Bible character overview - Hannah
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Time to read 3 min
Introduction:
Welcome to an insightful character overview of Hannah. Here you'll learn about who Hannah was, what she did, and her strengths and weaknesses. Also, we have provided questions related to the story of Hannah to provoke thought. They can also be used for personal/small-group studies.
Who was Hannah from the Bible?
Key facts
- When: roughly around 1100 B.C
- Where: Ephraim
- Name meaning: ‘Favor’ or ‘Grace’'
Glimpse: Hannah was a woman longing for children, yet her womb was closed. She turned to prayer and made a promise to God, and God heard her. Hannah's story is compelling and reveals what desperate prayer looks like and how God hears those who genuinely call out to Him.
Desperate prayer
There was a man named Elkanah who had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. He loved Hannah greatly, but her womb was closed and she could not bear children. Peninnah would mock and provoke Hannah to irritate her and cause her to be downcast.
Hannah, deeply sad, prayed to God, saying, "Lord Almighty, if you will only 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, and no razor will ever be used on his head." Eli the priest saw Hannah's lips moving, yet there was no sound, and he asked if she was drunk. She replied, explaining her situation, to which Eli responded, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him."
Questions
→ Why does God tend to wait until we are desperate for Him?
→ When have you ever been desperate for God to move in your life? How did God answer your prayers?
"Then her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why are you crying? Why are you not eating, and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”"
God fulfills
Eventually, Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to Samuel. She stayed home and weaned Samuel until he was ready to go to the temple, where he would spend the rest of his days. After he was weaned, she took Samuel to Eli, saying, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life, he will be given over to the Lord.”
Samuel remained there to worship God, becoming a great prophet of Israel.
Questions
→ What sacrifices have you had to make for God?
→ What stands out to you the most with Hannah's story?
"The Lord made it possible for her to have a child, and when the time came she gave birth to a son. She gave him the name Samuel, saying, “I have asked the Lord for him.”''
Strengths:
- Prayer warrior: Hannah knew that God was the only one who could turn her situation around so she prayed and God heard
- Loved: Hannah was loved by her husband as well as by God
Weaknesses:
- Barren: Hannah was made barren and therefore could not have kids
- Sorrowful: Because of her situation, Hannah became very sad and full of sorrow
Conclusion
We learn from Hannah that in every situation, pray. Hannah was barren and her womb was shut yet she knew that God was a God who could heal and she may have even heard stories about Sarah, the wife of Abraham, who was barren yet was healed and birthed a son. Whenever we feel hopeless or helpless, we must pray, and pray with desperation and sincerity.
''For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life''
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