“And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb” (I Samuel 1:4,5).

Elkanah, a Levite, had two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. Peninnah was blessed with sons and daughters by Elkanah, but Hannah was barren, up to the verses studied here. This barrenness was not for a lack of love on her husband’s part, for he loved her more than his other wife, but rather because “the LORD had shut up her womb.” Added to that, Peninnah taunted Hannah about her inability to bear children.

Hannah took her petition directly to God (v.10). She “poured out (her) soul before the LORD” (v.15). Watching this anguished soul was Eli, the descendant of Aaron, who was a priest and a judge in Israel. She explained her grief and Eli blessed her by asking God to grant her petition. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

Soon Hannah conceived and delivered a son, whom we know now to be Samuel (which means “asked of God”). Her vow at the time of her petition was to give Samuel back to the Lord—which she did, after he was weaned.

Consider the outcome of the prayer of this righteous person: a blessing to the nation Israel, God turning the hearts of the people back to Him, and a promise to Hannah to fulfill her motherhood. Her portion from Elkanah was a “worthy portion,” but her portion from the Lord was even greater. Expectant prayer to God out of a right heart brings much blessing.

Her gift to God, Samuel, follows the Luke 6:38 principle: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.” KBC