What Does 1 Samuel 1:1-20 Mean?
1 Samuel 1:1-20 describes how Hannah, a woman deeply saddened by her inability to have children, prayed fervently to the Lord at Shiloh, vowing to dedicate her future son to God if her prayer was answered. Despite being misunderstood by Eli the priest, her heartfelt, silent prayer was honored, and the Lord opened her womb. This story marks the beginning of Samuel, a key prophet who would change Israel’s history.
1 Samuel 1:1-20
There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?" After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, "O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head." As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation." Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the Lord."
Key Facts
Book
Author
Samuel (traditionally), with possible later additions by prophets like Nathan and Gad
Genre
Narrative
Date
Approximately 1100-1000 BC (time of Samuel)
Key Themes
Key Takeaways
- God hears silent prayers from broken hearts.
- Barrenness reversed by God leads to great purpose.
- True devotion gives back what God provides.
The Setting: Polygamy and Pilgrimage in Hannah's Story
This passage opens with a glimpse into the personal and spiritual life of a family living during a turbulent time in Israel’s history - before the kings, when judges ruled and the nation struggled to stay faithful to God.
Elkanah, a devout man, travels yearly from Ramah to Shiloh to worship at the tabernacle, where Eli and his corrupt sons serve as priests - this annual trip sets the stage for Hannah’s heartfelt prayer. Though he loves Hannah deeply, giving her a double portion of food, she is tormented by her barrenness and provoked by Peninnah, her husband’s other wife, who has children. These cultural realities - polygamy and regular pilgrimage - help us understand the pressures and faith expressions of people like Hannah in ancient Israel.
Hannah’s silent, passionate prayer at Shiloh shows how personal suffering can drive someone into a deep, honest conversation with God, one that others might misunderstand but that God honors completely.
Hannah's Vow and the Birth of Samuel: A Turning Point in God's Plan
Hannah’s desperate prayer and vow at Shiloh were personal cries for a child and part of God’s larger plan to shift Israel from the chaotic era of the judges to the rise of the monarchy through Samuel, the last and greatest judge.
Hannah vowed to dedicate her son to the Lord 'all the days of his life' and under a Nazirite-like vow, 'no razor shall touch his head'. She offered gratitude and set apart a child for sacred service, much like Samson in Judges 13:5 or Samuel himself would later live. This kind of lifelong dedication was rare and powerful, showing how deeply she trusted God with her future. The name Samuel, meaning 'asked of God,' became a living testimony that God hears and answers prayer. Her act of surrender was emotional and covenantal, a binding promise made before God in faith.
Culturally, barrenness was seen as a deep shame, a sign of divine disfavor, yet here God reverses that shame by choosing Hannah to bear the prophet who would anoint both Saul and David as kings. Samuel’s birth marks a hinge in Israel’s story: he bridges the failure of Eli’s corrupt sons (1 Samuel 2:12-17) and the rise of a godly leader who will prepare the way for David, from whom Jesus would eventually come. This moment fulfills the promise hinted at in Hannah’s later song: 'The Lord brings low and he exalts' (1 Samuel 2:7).
God often works His greatest purposes through the quiet cries of broken hearts.
God remembered Hannah - not as if He had forgotten, but as a divine act of intervention, similar to how He 'remembered' Noah in the ark or Abraham with Isaac. And in remembering her, He set in motion a chain of events that would shape Israel’s destiny for generations.
Barrenness, Devotion, and Divine Remembrance: God's Faithfulness in Hannah's Pain
Hannah’s story is about a woman longing for a child and a powerful picture of how God draws near to the broken, remembers the forgotten, and works through faithful devotion to fulfill His promises.
Barrenness in the Bible often symbolizes hopelessness, yet God repeatedly chooses such moments to display His power - like with Sarah, Rebekah, and later Elizabeth in the New Testament. Hannah’s pain was real and deeply personal, but God’s response was both compassionate and purposeful.
God sees the silent prayers of the brokenhearted and answers in His perfect timing.
Her vow to give Samuel back to the Lord shows a faith that holds nothing back, a wholehearted trust that God knows what’s best. When the Bible says 'the Lord remembered Hannah' (1 Samuel 1:19), it means He stepped in to act, similar to how He 'remembered' Noah and brought him safely through the flood, or 'remembered' Abraham to rescue Lot. This theme runs through Scripture: God is the One who brings life from emptiness, hope from waiting, and purpose from pain - preparing the way for the ultimate fulfillment of His promises in Jesus Christ.
From Hannah's Son to God's Faithful King: Samuel as a Signpost to Christ
Samuel’s birth is far more than a personal miracle - it’s God’s answer to the chaos of the judges era and a quiet step toward the coming of Christ, the ultimate priest-king who would perfectly lead, judge, and save His people.
The book of Judges ends with the haunting line, 'In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes' (Judges 21:25), a cry for a faithful leader to restore order and godliness - exactly the role Samuel would fill as prophet, judge, and anointer of kings.
By raising up Samuel from barrenness and deep prayer, God shows He is the One who brings order from chaos, similar to His actions in creation (Genesis 1:2). Samuel becomes a bridge: he closes the door on priestly corruption (like Eli’s sons) and opens the way for David, whose line would lead to Jesus. Unlike the failed priests and kings, Jesus fulfills both offices perfectly - He is the eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) and the King who reigns in righteousness (Revelation 19:16). Hannah’s prayer for a son becomes part of God’s much larger plan to send the Son.
Jesus, like Samuel, was dedicated to God from birth - Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55 echoes Hannah’s own prayer of praise. But where Samuel could only point to God’s deliverance, Jesus *is* that deliverance: the One who hears every silent cry, breaks every spiritual barrenness, and reigns forever as the faithful Priest and King the world was waiting for.
God raises up faithful leaders not from power, but from the prayers of the broken.
This story reminds us that God’s greatest works often begin in quiet moments of faith - and they always point forward to Jesus, the promised Leader who finally brings peace.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
I remember sitting in my car after a long day, tears streaming down my face, feeling completely unseen - overwhelmed by a struggle I couldn’t even put into words. I didn’t have the strength to pray out loud, but I whispered my pain to God, moving my lips in silence like Hannah did. And in that moment, I realized God wasn’t waiting for perfect prayers or loud declarations - He was right there, hearing every unspoken ache. Hannah’s story changed how I view my own brokenness. Instead of hiding my pain or pretending I’m fine, I’ve learned to bring it honestly to God, trusting that even when no one else notices, He does. Her silent prayer reminds me that God often meets us not in grand moments, but in the quiet, raw spaces where we can barely hold on.
Personal Reflection
- When have I tried to hide my pain instead of bringing it honestly to God like Hannah did?
- What part of my life am I holding back from dedicating fully to God, even if it feels too precious to give up?
- How can my current struggle become part of God’s larger purpose, similar to how Hannah’s pain led to Samuel’s birth?
A Challenge For You
This week, find a quiet moment to pour out your heart to God in complete honesty - no religious words, only your real feelings. If there’s something you’ve been asking God for, consider making a simple, heartfelt promise to honor Him with it if He answers, similar to Hannah’s actions.
A Prayer of Response
Lord, thank You that You see me, even when I’m silent and overwhelmed. You know my pain, my longings, and my unspoken prayers. Help me to bring You my whole heart, not only my polished words. I trust that You remember me, not because I’m strong, but because You are faithful. Work through my story for Your purpose, similar to how You did with Hannah.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
1 Samuel 1:21-22
Shows Hannah’s faithfulness to her vow, staying behind to nurse Samuel before presenting him at Shiloh.
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Hannah’s prayer of praise reveals her transformed heart and prophesies God’s coming king.
Connections Across Scripture
Luke 1:5-25
Elizabeth’s barrenness and divine reversal mirror Hannah’s story, pointing to John the Baptist’s holy mission.
Genesis 30:1-8
Rachel’s grief over barrenness and rivalry with Leah echoes Hannah’s pain and longing for children.
Hebrews 11:11
Affirms Sarah’s faith in receiving Isaac - like Hannah, she trusted God for a promised child.