Hannah the mother of Samuel

Hannah the mother of Samuel

But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. (1 Samuel 2:18-19)

At the end of the book of Judges we read, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). The next book we come to is Ruth. It is a story of bitterness ending in great blessing. Ruth’s faith led to the birth of the greatest king Israel ever knew, David. God continues this theme in 1 Samuel 1 with the story of Hannah. Her prayer of faith resulted in the birth of Samuel, leading to the spiritual revival of Israel and the anointing of David as the king of Israel. God used the painful experiences of Ruth and Hannah to bring about enormous blessing.

I have often reflected on how Hannah’s childlessness brought her into the presence of God. There she silently prayed in her heart for a male child and God answered her prayer. But today I want to reflect on Hannah’s faith as a mother. She had a mother’s heart before Samuel was born and she became the mother of six children. It was such a sacrifice when Hannah fulfilled her vow to God and gave tiny Samuel to the Lord for the whole of his life. Outwardly, he was being left in the care of Eli, the head of one of the most corrupt family of priests Israel knew. But that was not where Hannah was going to leave him. She was placing him in the care and protection of the Lord. She recalls, “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:27-28). Her next words are, “My heart rejoices in the Lord …” (1 Samuel 2:1).

Why does the Spirit of God tell us “His mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice” (1 Samuel 2:19)? Because He wanted us to know how deeply Hannah cared for her son. Her other five children did not replace Samuel. He was in her heart and service and probably in her prayers for the rest of her life.

When Samuel judged Israel he had a circuit of service covering Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpah. But then we read, “But he always returned to Ramah, for his home was there. There he judged Israel, and there he built an altar to the Lord” (1 Samuel 7:17). Ramah was where Samuel was born. It was his mother’s home. Our homes are so precious.

Samuel, as an old man, anointed David king of Israel. That day he learnt a lesson his mother knew the truth of before he was born, “The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

In these difficult times, let us pray for Christian mothers and the unique spiritual influence of their love, faith, hope and the godly heritage they provide, expressed in their care, prayers, sacrifices, and the homes they build.