Lesson Forty Five

HANNAH’S PRAYER ANSWERED

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Memory Verse: Proverbs 20:11
Further Study: 1 Samuel 1; 2:1-11, 18-21; Patriarchs and Prophets, 569-574; The Bible Story, vol. 3, pp. 145-148

When your kids grow up and move out of your house they leave their stuff behind. When they purchase their own homes there comes a time when you start clearing out. Part of that process involves loading up your car, driving to their house, and unloading it despite their protests.

My youngest daughter was the recipient of one of those visits from her dad. Recently she decided to rummage through one of those boxes. In it she found her prayer journal from Middle School. It was like a secret diary, but in this case her thoughts to God. From her now adult perspective, she smiled at her childish prayers, some of which included what I will call bargains—if You (God) do this for me, I’ll do that for You.

It was like a secret diary, but in this case her thoughts to God. From her now adult perspective, she smiled at her childish prayers. 

This is where we find Hannah. Her level of desperation is such that she throws herself on her knees before God, and through sobs, silently mouths her prayer: God, give me a son. If you do, I will give him back to You for the rest of his life.

Have you ever prayed a “bargain” prayer? Do this and I’ll do that? Some call those “foxhole prayers” since they often arise during a crisis where there is little relationship with God or religion. Save me! If You do, then I will . . .

My daughter wasn’t a foxhole pray-er, nor was Hannah. In both, they were leaning into the only One they knew could save them from their circumstances. For years, Hannah had silently endured the agony of infertility, and the disgrace, as well as the derision from the second wife. Now at the end of her limit, she opened herself up to a new approach to God that allowed God to work with her. 

For years, Hannah had silently endured the agony of infertility, and the disgrace, as well as the derision from the second wife. 

Hannah’s offer is interesting. Any son she would bear would be a Levite as her husband was from the Levitical line (1 Chron. 6:33-38). Thus, her son would belong to God already from ages 30-50 (Num. 4:3; Num. 8:25). Hannah simply raised the stakes: “Let me have him for a few years and you can have him for the rest.” And it explains Hannah’s reasoning that when Samuel was born not return to the Sanctuary until the appointed time that she had agreed upon. Those first years were Hannah’s alone. Then she held up her side of the bargain—Samuel was given to God for all time with her full support.

Prayer is a powerful tool no matter your age when trust is placed in God alone. Ellen White writes: “An appeal to heaven by the humble saint is more to be dreaded by Satan than the decrees of cabinets or the mandates of Kings” (Signs of the Times, Oct. 27, 1881).

Hannah’s prayer was about resolving her desire to become a mother, but like the five loaves and three fish brought to Jesus, God multiplied her prayer. Not only did Samuel become the first prophet in Israel, but he became pivotal in bringing Israel back to God. Hannah gave birth five more times after Samuel. Her bargain with God, her faithful commitment to her promise to Him, allowed Him to give back abundantly to her.

God listens. God cares. He’s looking for ways to work with us. And in that we are renewed.

Digging Deeper 

One commentator reminds us:

“Birth narratives play an important role in biblical literature. They generally have specific features, all of which are present in Samuel’s birth narrative. (1) The birth of the child marks a turning point, or at least some significant episode in Israel’s history. (2) The narratives usually reveal something of the baby’s character or future role in Israel’s history. (3) Individuals whose births are announced in such a way are the solution to a dire problem. (4) Finally, such birth narratives always emphasize the providential significance of the new character’s name” (The NIV Application Commentary, 1 and 2 Samuel, Bill T. Arnold, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, p. 57).

Those who have birth narratives in the Bible are: Isaac, Moses, Samson, Samuel, John, and Jesus.

Making it Real

Using the features listed above in “Digging Deeper,” look at each baby listed below and see if you can identify each of the four characteristics.

Isaac
Moses
Samson
Samuel
John
Jesus

Respond & Share

Have you ever bargained with God? Share with us in the comments below!

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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being the grandmother of two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus.