Hannah’s fervent longing to conceive a child was intense despite her barrenness. Every year, she journeyed with her husband Elkanah to Shiloh, the site of the tabernacle, where she earnestly sought God’s assistance through prayer. In the course of her supplication, she made a remarkable vow, one that she ultimately fulfilled.

1 Samuel 1:11. “Yahweh of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.”

“A razor shall never come on his head” implies the Nazarite vow.

Numbers 6:2-8. “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to dedicate himself to Yahweh, he shall abstain from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar, whether made from wine or strong drink, nor shall he drink any grape juice nor eat fresh or dried grapes. All the days of his separation he shall not eat anything that is produced by the grape vine, from the seeds even to the skin. All the days of his vow of separation no razor shall pass over his head. He shall be holy until the days are fulfilled for which he separated himself to Yahweh; he shall let the locks of hair on his head grow long…. All the days of his separation he is holy to Yahweh.’

Nazirite vows were usually for a specified duration of time. However, three men were dedicated to a lifetime commitment to
the vow before they were conceived: Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist. The mothers of these individuals: Manoah’s wife,
Hannah, and Elisabeth, were all initially barren and experienced supernatural intervention to conceive. The resulting impact was profound, as all three sons went on to have significant and godly ministries.

God answered Hannah’s prayer. So, when Samuel was weaned, which probably means about 12 or 13 years old, Hannah brought him to Shiloh to fulfill her vow and presented him to Eli the priest.

1 Samuel 1:24-28. She said, “Oh, my lord [Eli]! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to Yahweh. “For this boy I prayed, and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of Him. “So I have also dedicated him to Yahweh; as long as he lives he is dedicated to Yahweh.” And he worshipped Yahweh there.

Hannah clearly trained her son in the ways of God and then gave him to Yahweh for a lifetime of service. She provides a great
example for every mother to follow. Her prophetic prayer reflects her godly character, and she undoubtedly serves as a precursor to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

1 Samuel 2:1-2. And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults [rejoices] in Yahweh; my horn [metaphoric for strength] is exalted in Yahweh. My mouth derides [speaks boldly against] my enemies because I rejoice in your salvation. “There is none holy like Yahweh: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.

Her recognition of Yahweh’s blessings and heartfelt praise for Him are exceptional, considering she just gave her son over to Eli for a lifetime of service.

3. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for Yahweh is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.

The proud and arrogant would be wise to repent because God knows what is going on and evaluates actions accordingly. She
continues with a series of inversions: the strong become weak, and the weak become strong; the full become hungry, and the hungry full; the barren have children, and mothers are abandoned and lonely. These are Kingdom realities to come.

4-5. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.

Hannah would eventually have five more children. After Jesus, Mary and Joseph had at least six more children.

6-8. Yahweh kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. Yahweh makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh’s, and on them he has set the world.

Yahweh is in charge! Her inspired words highlight God’s ability to lift up the humble and downtrodden, demonstrating His authority over all aspects of existence. His power, justice, and mercy are conveyed.

9-10. “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. 10 The adversaries of Yahweh shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. Yahweh will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

Hannah uttered her prayer prior to the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. In due course, her son, Samuel, would anoint
Saul as the inaugural king of Israel, and later David, who would be the forefather of Jesus. Many years later, the angel told Mary that she would give birth to the Messiah that would sit on the throne of David to rule the world. Mary surely reflected on Hannah, as is evident in her prophetic prayer called the “Magnificat.” Note the similarity to Hannah’s declarations.

Luke 1:46-55. And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Can you appreciate the great faith of these women and God’s goodness to them?■