The Holy Prophetess Hannah was an Israelite woman whose story is told in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel. Hannah is one of two wives of Elkanah. The other, Peninnah, had given birth to children, but Hannah remained childless. Nevertheless, Elkanah preferred Hannah.
Every year, Elkanah would offer a sacrifice and give Penninah a portion, however he gave Hannah a double portion "because he loved her." One day Hannah went up to the Tabernacle and prayed with great weeping, while Eli the High Priest was sitting on a chair. In her prayer, she asked God for a son and in return she vowed to give the son back to God for the service of God. Watching Hannah, Eli thought she was drunk and questioned her. But when she poured out her grief, Eli blessed her and she returned home. After this Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel, which means “Asked from God.” She raised Samuel until he was weaned and then brought him back to the temple.
Hannah’s song of thanksgiving is compared to the Magnificat, the prayer of the Theotokos.
Hannah is commemorated in the church on December 9th.
Hannah’s Prayer
“My heart exults in the Lord;
my strength is exalted in my God.
My mouth derides my enemies
because I rejoice in your victory.
There is no Holy One like the Lord,
no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
Talk no more so very proudly;
let arrogance not come from your mouth,
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble gird themselves with strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low; he also exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with royalty
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
and on them he has set the world.
He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked will perish in darkness,
for not by might does one prevail.
The Lord! His adversaries will be shattered;
the Most High[k] will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the power of his anointed.”
Holy mother Hannah, pray to God for us!
