17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” 18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before theLord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”
- 1 Samuel 1
It is natural for every woman to bear children. But what would a woman feel if she was unable to bear children? Most likely a barren woman would feel insecure, without purpose and unfulfilled. This is how Hannah felt. What a woman naturally does, she cannot do. So we can just imagine her tearful pleadings before GOD. Why would GOD withhold something like this to a woman who was not wicked? GOD does not with hold, sometimes HE just waits for us to ask HIM with all our hearts. Do we really want to have what HE wants us to have?
It must have been quite a testimony for Hannah to have Samuel when she talks about how she asked Samuel from GOD. For Samuel grew up not to be just an ordinary man, but Samuel was a special prophet of GOD, more favored than the tribe of Aaron whose family lineage were anointed to be priests of GOD. He was specifically chosen to do the roles of a priests because the sons of Aaron failed to serve GOD with all their hearts. Hannah asked GOD for a son with all her heart. Samuel served GOD with all his heart. We cannot live half heartedly, love half heartedly, it's either you are in or out. Are you in? In for GOD and HIS glory? Or out to live for yourself alone?
