Hannah asks for a son
1 Samuel 1:1–2:21
Hannah could not have children, and she suffered because of it. In the temple at Shiloh, she tearfully asked the Lord for a son, and she promised to dedicate him to God. God gave her Samuel, and Hannah brought him to the temple to serve the Lord all his life. 1 Samuel 1:1–2:21
The story, in plain words
Elkanah had two wives: Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. 1 Samuel 1:2
Every year, when they went up to the temple of the Lord, Peninnah taunted Hannah because Hannah had no children. Hannah would cry and would not eat. 1 Samuel 1:6-7
One day at Shiloh, Eli the priest was sitting by the doorway of the temple. Hannah came in, her heart full of bitterness, and prayed to the Lord, weeping a great deal. 1 Samuel 1:9-10
She promised the Lord that if he gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord for his whole life. 1 Samuel 1:11 Hannah was praying silently and…
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See the mapWhat the Bible says
1 Samuel 1:1–2:21
There was a man of Ramathaimsophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elcana, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliu, the son of Thohu, the son of Suph, an Ephraimite:
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
To talk about together
- Hannah opened her heart to God, even though Eli did not understand her at first. Who do you tell when something hurts you?
- Hannah kept her promise to God. How do you think she felt when she left Samuel at the temple?
- For the child: what would you ask God for if you prayed to him silently?