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Hannah — An Unselfish Woman Of Godly Character

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Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles

The first seven chapters of the book of 1st Samuel record the end of the period of the judges. Samuel was the last judge of Israel. In 1 Samuel 8:1-22, we read that the people demanded a king.

As the book of 1st Samuel begins, we are introduced to Samuel’s mother and father (1 Samuel 1:1-8). Not much is said about his father, but as we study his mother, Hannah [Heb. – “one of grace or favor”], we begin to see something of the reason why Samuel grew to be such a great man in the service of God.

From the text of 1 Samuel 1:1-28 and 1 Samuel 2:1-11, let us note some of the godly characteristics that Hannah displayed in her life along with applicable New Testament passages:

  • From 1 Samuel 1:1-5, we see that she loved her husband despite the fact that she didn’t have children (Titus 2:4).
  • From 1 Samuel 1:6-9, we see that she was patient in adversity (James 1:3-4).
  • From 1 Samuel 1:6-11, we learn that she was a devout and prayerful woman (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
  • From 1 Samuel 1:11, we see that she was willing to sacrifice the child she wanted in service to God (Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 3:8).
  • From1 Samuel 1:12-18, we see that she was a wise woman (Ephesians 5:15).
  • From 1 Samuel 1:19, we see that she was a worshipper of God (John 4:24) and a faithful wife (1 Corinthians 7:3-5).
  • From 1 Samuel 1:20, we see she was thankful and acknowledged such in naming Samuel [Heb. – “Asked of God”] (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
  • From 1 Samuel 1:21-23, we see that Hannah was a good mother, taking care of Samuel’s needs (Titus 2:4)
  • From 1 Samuel 1:24-28, we see that Hannah kept her promises (1 Samuel 1:11; cf. Deuteronomy 23:21-23) and as Christians, we should as well (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12).
  • From 1 Samuel 2:1-10, we see that Hannah acknowledged and understood the authority and power of God (Ephesians 1:17-23; cf. Philippians 2:9-10) .
  • From 1 Samuel 2:11, at the appropriate time, we see that Hannah fulfilled her promise to God (1 Samuel 1:27-28) by allowing her child to immediately enter into God’s service under the direction and instruction of Eli, the high priest.

Let us pray that the Lord will raise up many godly women such as Hannah who will unselfishly serve in His church/kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19).

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