The book of 1 Samuel begins with the story surrounding the birth of Samuel himself. Hannah, the wife of Elkanah the Ephraimite, is childless. She has reached a point of despair, and earnestly seeks God’s mercy in prayer while at “the Lord’s house”. This is in the town of Shiloh, where the tabernacle was kept during the days of the judges.
Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on 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.”
As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”
“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “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.”
1 Samuel 1: 9-16
Most of us have uttered silent prayers, but this is the first record in the bible of someone uttering such a prayer. As we will read, the Lord hears Hannah’s prayer and opens her womb, blessing her with a son. In chapter 2, we read that Hannah responds with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.
There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.
The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up.
The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.
For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world.
He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.
It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken.
The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.
He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
1 Samuel 2: 1-10