The Theme Of Prayer In 1 Samuel 1

Elkanah had two wives. The New International Version translates 1 Samuel 1:2 as “He had two wives: one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah.” This translation avoids suggesting Hannah as the first wife. However, Anchor Yale Bible clearly does. It reads: “He had two wives: the name of the first was Hannah, and the name of the second was Peninnah”.  This may explain why Elkanah’s family was polygamous in the first place. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, “It was common in real life for a well-to-do man to take a second wife if the first did not bear him an heir.”

More significant, however, is the divine intervention that made a barren woman fertile. Hannah is not the only woman who was barren and later gave birth to a significant biblical character. She shares this experience with Sarah, (Genesis 21:1-6), then with Rachel (Genesis 29:31), Manoah’s wife, whose name is not mentioned in the Bible, and Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-7; 2:57-58). 

There are similarities between Hannah and Rachel, both loved by their husbands, and both barren for a time. The fact that they and the other women went on to have children who shaped the cause of history is incredibly significant and relevant. There is unmistakable evidence that children born out of sheer desperation, like Ishmael, Dan, and Naphtali do not carry the same prophetic destiny as those resulting from promise or answered prayers. The former are blessings to their immediate and extended families, the later are blessings to nations. 

It should be noted that Samuel was an answer to prayer (1 Samuel 1:10; 27-28), as was Joseph (Genesis 30:22-24), and John the Baptist (Luke 1:24-25). Hannah’s prayer set the example for the theme of prayer in 1 Samuel. She persisted in prayer year after year. Mocked and ridiculed by her rival (verse 7), but she did not give up. The pain of disappointment gave way to answered prayer (verse 20). Elkanah could only console her, (verse 8) but Hannah wanted more than consolation. Hannah did not respond to Elkanah, but in prayer to God. God did more than console. He turned her life around. 

Later we see the theme of prayer developed in the book of 1 Samuel. Samuel relied on prayer in the ordination of Saul and David. David established his throne on the strength of prayer and seeking God’s presence in the form of the Ark. This dependence on prayer endeared David’s kingship to God, despite numerous human failures. The lack of prayer obviously ended Saul’s kingship prematurely.

There is a connection between prophecy and prayer. It was the prayer of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:10-11), that led to the prophetic declaration of Eli (1 Samuel 1:17). We see this same connection in Judges 1:1-2. After Joshua died, the people asked “who … is...to fight against the Canaanites?” (Prayer). “The Lord answered” (Prophecy). 

The story that started with barrenness (verse 2), ended with Samuel (verse 20). He was not just any child; he was indeed worth more than ten sons. This all happened because God answered Hannah’s prayers and fulfilled prophecy by sending a prophet. The formula speaks of the relationship between God and his people. They call on him, he answers. This pattern continues throughout 1 Samuel. We conclude that the text of 1 Samuel stands in unity with other biblical texts and shows God as the central character shaping the history of his people. 

As we come towards the first half of our 60 days prayer challenge (on May 30), I want to encourage you to keep pressing on in prayer. You may have gone into this prayer challenge in chaos, but encountering God in prayer will turn your chaos into order. In chapter one of 1 Samuel, Hannah started barren, but in chapter 2, she had reasons to sing and rejoice. Listen to what she said, “She who was barren has borne seven children” (1 Samuel 2:5). May God turn your sadness into Joy over the next few weeks. Amen!