Hannah and Peninah

Hannah married Elkanah, who had Peninah as wife. Peninah had children while Hannah was barren. Peninah did to Hannah for her barrenness, the ‘na, nanana, na! Na, nanana, na! It worked wonders as it tore Hannah’s heart apart, to her delight.

Hannah grieved and prayed for a son and made a vow to God in front of the High Priest Eli, to dedicate him to Him. Hannah conceived and bore a son she called Samuel. She dedicated him to the Lord as per her vow. Hannah was to bear a further 3 sons and 2 daughters.

Eli’s sons were evil and corrupt, sleeping with women worshippers at the tabernacle of the congregation gate. This brought Eli’s family a curse, but Samuel grew and matured in spirit in the temple with Eli.

The Lord called Samuel while he slept, and all the 3 times, Samuel said, ‘Here I am’ rising and approaching Eli, perceiving he called him. Eli soon discerned that it was God calling him and instructed the boy accordingly. Samuel became famous as a prophet in Israel, though it was a time the Philistines oppressed them.

Israel went to war and lost badly until they remembered to bring the Ark of the Lord. They shouted loud at the Ark’s arrival, sending shivers down the Philistines’ spines. The Philistines knew how the Egyptians and the other nations were defeated with the presence of the Ark. They however did not want to entertain being ruled by Hebrews.

Hophni  and Phinehas, Eli’s sons were the Ark bearers. The Ark was captured the Eli’s sons died the same day. The 98 year old Eli died of shock, falling off his chair and breaking his neck, at the news of the capture of the Ark. Phinehas’s wife was pregnant at the time, and she went into labour upon hearing the news. She bore a son she named Ichabod and died too.

God answers enerst prayer. Pray without ceasing, believing every word you say and the promise of the Holy Bible.