This is something I wrote last summer. I did a study on Hannah, Samuel’s barren mother in 1 Samuel. I absolutely loved her story and decided to write my own twist on it. This is written as a kind of monologue (dramatic), as if you are in her head. I wanted to make her story modern and have her think as if she is in our time without losing much of who she was. I really hope you can enjoy this. Much love!
Hannah: Heard by God
I am a disgrace to my family, to my husband, and to myself. You see, I can’t have children. As much as I’ve tried, I just can’t conceive a child. Oh, and to make matters worse, my husband married another woman so that she could have children for him and be able to pass on his genes and family name. Her name is Penninah. What kind of name is that anyway? She has sons and daughters, and plenty of each too, if you ask me. Ugh. I just can’t stand her. She is so mean! She doesn’t deserve to have any children. Whenever I go up to the house of the Lord Penninah always says something to irritate me. She always tries to get under my skin and get me angry. I am not about to get angry at the Lord’s house though! She says things like, “Oh, you are off to go pray for a son? There’s no need. I have given my husband enough sons. He does not need anymore!” As hard as I tried not to, I cried. She really hurt my feelings and I just couldn’t help it! She is so mean and I really just want to have one baby!
See, Penninah gets angry because during the annual sacrifice Elkanah gives me double portions while he gives her just enough for her and her kids. He also makes it pretty obvious that he loves me more. When I ran past him crying because of what she said, he asked me things like, “Hannah, why are you weeping?” “Why don’t you eat?” and “Why are you downhearted?” Because she is a horrid woman and not eating is the one thing I feel that I can control in my life. I cannot have children. Duh! That would make any woman downhearted!I did not dare say any of my thoughts to my husband.
And then he asked me “Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” He just doesn’t get it. He really does mean a lot to me, but I really want a son! He doesn’t understand how badly I want a son and that I can’t stand being this disgrace any longer!
After dinner I went back to the Lord’s temple to pray. I felt so desperate that I just fell to my knees and wept while I prayed, “Oh Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon 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, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
And then I am so rudely interrupted by the priest! He started telling me that I was drunk! How dare he say such a thing!
Ugh, keep composure; I said to the priest, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not 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.” He said to me, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” I said as I walked away. I nearly skipped home. I felt so overcome with peace as he told me to go! When I got home I ate and I was no longer sorrowful. Penninah could no longer get under my skin. I still prayed for a son but after that night at the temple I just felt better about the whole thing.
“I’m pregnant.” My husband could not believe what I just said to him and he nearly spit his food out. “I’m going to have a son. The Lord has heard my cry and has finally given me a child. I will name him Samuel because I asked the Lord for him and the Lord heard me.”
I did not go to the annual sacrifice with my husband because I was waiting until Samuel was weaned so that I could take him before the Lord and leave him in the temple where he will serve the Lord all his days. I had my son until he was weaned. I did not want to give him up but I made a vow to the Lord and I had to take my son to the temple to fulfill that vow. Why did I tell the Lord that I would give back the one son he has given me?
Well, one thing that kept me sane was knowing that Samuel will live a righteous life in the house of the Lord all his days. When I saw the priest I said to him, “As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life will be given over to the Lord.”
It’s been some time since then and the Lord has blessed me with seven children in all! I am not a disgrace to my family, my husband or myself. I am a woman who cried out to the Lord and was heard and was blessed.
Thank you for reading. I hope you like it! I want to try to do one more before I leave. I have a few women in mind, but let me know what you think 🙂
Love,
Malerie
