She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer - "There Is No Rock Like Our God"

 

The next morning, Hannah returned to the tabernacle with Elkanah.  She likely told him of her request and her commitment, for the Mosaic Law said that a husband had the right to nulify a vow made by his wife without his consent.  (Numbers 30:10-15)  But that faithful man made no such move. Rather, he and Hannah worshipped Jehovah together at the tabernacle before heading homeward.

Just when did Peninnah realize that she had lost her power to upset Hannah? The account does not say, but the expression "self-concerned no moree" suggests that Hannah's spirits rose from that time forward.  At any rate, Peninnah soon found that her spiteful conduct produced no effect.  The Bible never mentioned her name again. 

As the months passed, Hannah's peace of mind flowered unbridled delight. She was pregnant! In her joy, Hannah never for a moment forgot where this blessing had come from.  When that boy was born, she chose the name Samuel which means "Name of God" and evidently refers to calling on the divine name, as Hannah had done.  That year, she did not join Elkanah and the family for the trek to Shiloh.  She stayed home with the child for three years until he was weaned. Then she gathered her strength for the day on which she would have to part with her beloved son. 

The parting could not have been easy.  Of course, Hannah knew that Samuel would be well cared for in Shiloh, perhaps by the hands of some of the women who served at the tablernacle.  Still, he was so youn, and what mother does not long to be with her child?  Nonetheless, Hannah and Elkanah brought the boy, not begrudginly, but gratefully.  They offered sacrifices at God's house, and they presented Samuel to Eli, reminding him of the vow Hannah had made three years earlier. 

Next time: She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer - "There Is No Rock Like Our God - Conclusion

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