Hannah's Prayer

In the book of 1 Samuel, Hannah endured prolonged barrenness and social reproach as one of Elkanah's wives, prompting her to travel to the sanctuary at Shiloh where she prayed with deep anguish and tears. She vowed that if God granted her a son, she would dedicate him wholly to divine service as a Nazirite, a pledge the priest Eli eventually affirmed after initially mistaking her fervor for drunkenness. God answered her petition with the birth of Samuel, whom Hannah presented to the tabernacle for lifelong ministry, and she later returned with a song of thanksgiving that celebrates God's reversal of human circumstances. This narrative illustrates the efficacy of heartfelt prayer in Scripture and establishes Samuel's foundational role as prophet and judge in Israel's history.

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Category: Petition
Prayed by: Hannah

Key Passages

Hannah's Vow

1 Samuel 1:10-16

A¹⁰nd she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

¹¹ And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. ¹² And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. ¹³ Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. ¹⁴ And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. ¹⁵ And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. ¹⁶ Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

Hannah's Song

1 Samuel 2:1-10

A¹nd Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

² There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. ³ Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. ⁴ The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. ⁵ They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. ⁶ The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. ⁷ The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. ⁸ He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and he hath set the world upon them. ⁹ He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. ¹⁰ The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

Did You Know?

Hannah prayed with such intensity that Eli the priest thought she was drunk.

She poured out her soul in bitterness. Honest, raw prayer before God.

Her prayer includes a vow: if God gives her a son, she will dedicate him to lifelong service.

After Samuel's birth, Hannah's prayer of thanksgiving (1 Samuel 2) is one of the most beautiful in Scripture and echoes Mary's Magnificat.