Hannah Called Upon God and He Helped Her

There was a certain man called Elkanah who lived in Ramah of Mount Ephraim. This man had two wives. One was called Hannah, and the other Peninah had children but Hannah had no children and was troubled in her heart. However, her husband Elkanah loved her but the wife was not happy because she had no child.

After she had eaten in Shiloh she went to the temple where Eli (the priest) lived and prayed to the Lord. She wept sore and said to the Lord, remember thy handmaid and do not forget me.

Now Hannah spoke in her heart, only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. And Eli said unto her, ?How long wilt thou be drunken?? And Hannah answered and said, ?No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and my grief have I spoken.? Then Eli answered and said, ?Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee the petition that thou hast asked of him.? And she said, ?Let thy handmaid find grace in thy sight.? So Hannah went her way and did eat and her countenance was no more sad.

And they rose up early and worshipped before the Lord and returned and came to their house in Ramah. And Elkanah knew his wife Hannah and she conceived; and the Lord remembered her. She bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, ?because I have asked him of the Lord.? And Elkanah and all his house went up to offer sacrifice and his vow. But Hannah said, ?I will not go up with you until the child is weaned and then I will bring him to appear before the Lord and there abide for ever.? The husband agreed and said, ?Do what is good to thee.?

So when she had weaned the child she took up with her three bullocks and one ephah of flour and a bottle of wine and brought him to the house of the Lord to Eli, to abide there for ever, because the Lord had heard her petition.

The Lord hears the prayer of believers and often gives them their wishes, but the gift should be used to the glory of the Lord.
 

Bro. Charles Aboagye (Agogo, Ghana)