My Heart Rejoices in the Lord

“Her rival provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her severely; therefore she wept and did not eat.” [1]

The story of Hannah follows the story of Naomi in the Bible. [2]

Naomi was once bitter, but the Lord did not leave her there. He sweetened her life.

Hannah was verbally abused by her husband’s other wife. Some of the side effects of her rival’s treatment was sorrow, loss of appetite, and inability to accept love.

Hannah’s husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” [3] He could not comfort her. He could not cheer her up.

There’s no mention of Hannah blaming her husband for her unhappiness. There’s no mention of her fighting back against Peninnah. Instead, Hannah turned to the Lord and sought the Lord for conflict resolution. “She was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.” [4]

Her priest saw her praying before the Lord. Her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore, he assumed she was drunk. So, he said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” [5]

Wow, even in church, she found no solace! However, this time Hannah defended her actions. She said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” [6] The priest responded by giving her a benediction of peace and said to her “May God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” [7]

The Lord answered Hannah’s prayer. “The Lord remembered her.” [8] She had asked the Lord for a son, and the Lord gave her one.

Like Naomi in the Book of Ruth, Hannah’s son would have a special place in God’s book. Naomi’s grandson was the grandfather of King David. Hannah’s son, Samuel, was the prophet of God who anointed David to be the king of Israel.

The Lord is wonderful. Hannah praised the Lord with the following words, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies,

Because I rejoice in Your salvation. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory.” [9]

[1] 1 Samuel 1:6-7
[2] Ruth 1-4 – 1 Samuel 1-2
[3] 1 Samuel 1:8
[4] 1 Samuel 1:10
[5] 1 Samuel 1:12-14
[6] 1 Samuel 1:15-16
[7] 1 Samuel 1:17
[8] 1 Samuel 1:19
[9] 1 Samuel 2:1, 8