Hannah gave Samuel to God and in return had five further children – 3 boys and 2 girls.  Only God can turn your bareness to fruitfulness.

In 1 Samuel, we are introduced to Elkanah and his two wives – Hannah, who had no children and Peninnah, who had children.  Sometimes, when we are going through difficult or seemingly impossible situations, we tend to rebuke and bind the devil.  However, sometimes, it could be God, being at the centre of it all and blocking that miracle for whatever reason.  And that was the case with Hannah, we in vs ⁵ But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.

On a personal note, I have been through situations where I have bound and prayed against the enemy and when still that miracle did not come, I learnt to rest secure in Him and surrender that situation to Him and try as much as possible to not make that situation the centre of existence.

Back to our story, in her barren state, Hannah too was provoked by the other wife Peninnah in vs ⁶ And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.   ⁷ And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

When anyone is going through their wilderness or barren situation, there will always be tormentors around to make us weep, not eat, be sad and depressed.  However, we have to learn to ask God to not leave us nor forsake us, as His Word tell us and keep the faith.

Now Elkanah was a religious man who went to worship and sacrifice to the Lord yearly at Shiloh and he took his wives with him; vs ³ And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh.

It got to a point where Hannah did not know what prayer to pray again, as they all went to Shiloh. She then decided to make a vow unto God, vs ¹¹ And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. 

After their time at Shiloh, as a family, they returned home and we are told that Elkanah knew his wife, vs 19  And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.

Sometimes, in the midst of your trouble, you have to separate yourself and go to a quiet place, or go for a retreat and seek God’s face and His face alone.  Hannah had been going to Shiloh with her husband yearly but one day, God heard her prayer at this place of worship and sacrifice and fulfilled her prayer request when she got home.

We know that subsequently, Hannah then gave birth to Samuel, vs ²⁰ Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.  And when it was time, Hannah took Samuel to Shiloh to live there, vs ²⁴ And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.   ²⁵ And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.²⁶ And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.   ²⁷ For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: ²⁸ Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.

Notice that even Hannah took Samuel to Shiloh to live and serve God, she did not go empty handed.  What do you have that you can give to God?   Sometimes, when that case seems and looks like an impossible case, you too will have to sacrifice something that is precious to you.

Even though Hannah was now happy that at least no one could torment or laugh at her and say she was childless; God had not finished with her yet because in 2 Samuel, vs ²¹ And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord.

Whoever you are reading this, be encouraged that God has not finished with you yet in Jesus name and that the best is yet to come.  The situation you are going through is just for a season and I can assure you that ‘and this too shall pass’, and remember that ‘weeping may endure for a night but joy will surely come in the morning for you, as it did for Hannah. 

Prayer Points: Father Lord, turn my bareness to fruitfulness, as you did for Hannah; Lord Jesus, help me to remain faithful during my barren or dry season; Holy Spirit my Divine Helper, help me to pass the test that you have set before me during this dry season and Father God, just as you remembered Hannah, remember me for good today in Jesus name.