Bible Story of Hannah and Samuel - Bible Stories for Kids

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Bible Story of Hannah and Samuel

1 Samuel 1:26-2:11

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Every year at the feast in Shiloh, Peninnah watched Elkanah giveHannah more meat than anyone else.And each year she made sure she saidsomething cruel to Hannah.

Year after year, Peninnah would lean across the table and whisper toHannah, "Meat is better than nothing,I suppose. You're nobody special.Elkanah just feels sorry for youbecause you have no children."

Each year Peninnah's insults became worse. Finally one year,Peninnah's teasing was crueler thanever. "You're getting old, Hannah.Look, my eldest is nearly a grown man now. And you have no one.What will you do when you're nolonger pretty? Then Elkanah will stopgiving you extra meat. You won't evenhave one son to show for your youth."

Hannah could not take it anymore.She covered her ears and burst intotears. She wanted a baby so badly."Why, oh why don't I have a child?"she cried out in her heart.

Elkanah saw his favorite wifecrying. He guessed what Peninnah hadsaid. He told Hannah, "Hannah, don'tbe upset about not having a child.That's all right, it doesn't matter."

But it was not all right and it didmatter. Hannah ran away from thetable.

Hannah walked to the tent where thepriest made offerings to God. She didnot know what to do. She knelt downand put her face in her hands. Her lipsmoved as she prayed. The tears streamed down her face.

"Oh Lord," she prayed quietly. "Iwant a baby so badly. Please, God, ifYou would give me a little child, Iwould give him back to You. I wouldbring it here to be raised by Yourpriest. The child would be Yours."As Hannah prayed, Eli the priestwatched her. He saw her lips moving.He heard no sound. Hannah's eyeswere red from crying.

In those days, there were not manypeople of Israel who went to Eli's tentto pray. Those who did, prayed outloud. Some who came to Shiloh hadcome just to eat and drink. The priestsaw Hannah's red eyes and her lipswhich moved. He thought she had hadoo much wine to drink.

"You there!" he yelled at her. "Youshouldn't come here if you're drunk."- "No, my lord," Hannah gasped."I'm not one of those drunken peoplewho stumble in here during the feast!I'm just very, very sad."

As Eli came closer to Hannah, hesaw that she spoke the truth. "Go inpeace. I hope God gives you whatyou've asked for."

Hannah bowed her head. "Thankyou for your blessing sir." As Hannahwalked away, she felt the weight ofworry and shame lift off her heart.Whether or not she ever did get ababy was up to the Lord. She knewnow whatever He decided would bethe best for her and Elkanah.

Hannah went home with Elkanah. Afew months later she found out shewas going to have a baby. Oh, thatwas a happy day for Hannah! Shethanked God over and over again.Nearly a year later, Hannah gavebirth to a lovely baby boy. She named

him Samuel, which meant "Heard ofGod." Hannah said, "because I askedthe Lord for him and He heard."

Now when Peninnah teased Hannah, it did not hurt at all. IfPeninnah said, "Hannah, I have manymore sons than you," Hannah did notmind.

"Yes, but my Samuel is worth tensons," Hannah answered.

For the next three years Hannahtook care of Samuel. She played with him and prayed with him. She taughthint how to count. She sang songs anddanced with him. They often laughedtogether.

After Samuel turned three, Hannahknew the time had come for her tobring him back to Eli. Samuel hadbeen a gift from God. She had trusted God to decide whether or not sheshould have a baby. Now she wastrusting God to take care of her son.

Hannah held Samuel's hand. Theystood at the door of the tent in Shilohwhere the Lord was worshiped. "Eli!"Hannah called out. When the old manappeared, Hannah said, "Rememberme? I'm the woman whose prayersyou blessed three years ago. I waspraying for a baby then. Look how theLord has answered my prayers." She smiled down at Samuel.

Samuel knew he was a special boy.He belonged to God. He knew the priest Eli would now take care of him.Samuel was not afraid. His motherhad told him God would take care ofhim, no matter where he was. Samueltrusted her and he trusted the Lord.Besides, she would visit him each yearwhen the family came to Shiloh.Samuel knew he was a big boy. Hedid not cry. He just looked at Eli, thenback at his mother. He waited for herto take her hand out of his. "Then Imight cry," he thought.

Hannah told Eli about her promiseto God. Eli nodded. He stooped downand stretched out his arms toward theboy. Samuel looked at the kind eyes ofold Eli, the priest. He knew he was safe.

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