The Miracle of Baby Samuel
Another Way for November 24, 2023
The Miracle of Baby Samuel
Editor’s note: Melodie Davis begins a five-week series on women—and babies of the Bible.
One of the most poignant stories in the Bible is the story of Hannah and the infertility she experienced.
Not all women—or men want to have children. In ancient times, infertility was deemed a curse; women wore the sorrow on their faces. Today, not being able to have a baby is similarly difficult. And extremely sad.
The story of Samuel in the “New International Version” (NIV) begins with Hannah, married to Elkanah, who loved her very much but year after year she was unable to conceive. As was the custom at the time, they went yearly to give sacrificial offerings of meat to the priest, Eli. It was also the custom for a husband to have another wife if one did not conceive. Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, was prolific in the pregnancy department. Peninnah taunted Hannah, rubbing in her infertility. Elkanah would give each of Peninnah’s children a portion of the sacrificial meats.
The NIV titles the book of Samuel as “The birth of Samuel.” So we know Samuel is going to be the main character, but doesn’t immediately reveal how his birth came about. One year at the sacrificial ceremony, Hannah was so distraught she couldn’t eat. The priest, Eli, who received the sacrificial offerings, “was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house.”
Now, I don’t recall ever hearing or reading the word “beer” in the Bible. In verse 9 of chapter 1, we read that finally Hannah had enough of her predicament. “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. She made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life. No razor will ever be used on his head.’”
As she kept praying, Eli observed Hannah’s lips continuing to move. Eli couldn’t hear anything and thought she was drunk.He finally said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”
Hannah replied, “Not so, my lord. I am a woman who is deeply troubled and I haven’t been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
Hannah responded, “May this servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she left and finally ate something. Her face was “no longer downcast.”
When Elkanah and Hannah got home, the Bible says “The Lord remembered Hannah’s yearning. In the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked the Lord for him.’” How happy she was!
A year went by. When it came time for their annual trip (about 19 miles) to offer sacrifices before Eli, Hannah told Elkanah she would be staying home with Samuel until he was weaned. Thus when he was three or so, Hannah made good on her promise and took little Samuel to live with Eli and assist him in his chores. Hannah and Elkanah went to visit Samuel every year and Hannah would make him a new little coat.
How dear and precious those times must have been. Eventually Hannah also gave birth to three sons and two daughters.
So Hannah took the pain of her situation and turned her curse into the birth of a very special prophet and leader in the Bible.
How many of us would willingly give a small child to serve a priest such as Eli? Samuel of course grew up to be the prophet who eventually chose the shepherd boy David to be King of Israel, a man of faith who was not perfect either. Hannah is one of my favorite women in the Bible.
To read the story of Hannah and her family, go to 1 Samuel verse 1 through 2:11.
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Share your thoughts or stories! Comment here or write to me at Another Way, P.O. Box 363, Singers Glen, VA 22834, or email anotherwaymedia@yahoo.com.
Another Way is a column by Melodie Davis, in syndication since 1987. She is the author of ten books, most recently Memoir of an Unimagined Career. Another Way columns are posted at FindingHarmonyBlog.com a week after newspaper publication.
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Even though Hannah had children after Samuel, it must have been so very difficult for Hannah to take little Samuel to live with Eli and assist him in his chores. And she and her husband got to visit their firstborn only once a year when she brought him a new coat.
The drawing is signed by M. Davis. I wonder if Michelle drew this picture, both faces smiling. Very sweet!
Thanks for your reading and comment! I agree it must have been terribly difficult to take Samuel to Eli to live. We can only think, they lived in different times, although there are many tough times today for many families.
Michelle is the artist in our family and I should have asked her to draw a picture, but thanks for the compliment. Yours truly made an attempt–I was thinking of Cliff’s fun and (serious) drawings and so I put pride aside and did my best to create a drawing. Thanks for the compliment. 🙂 [Surely Hannah’s heart broke on the long trip back home without their precious first son.]