Topical Bible: Meekness: Hannah

◄ Meekness: Hannah ►

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Hannah, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is a profound example of meekness, a virtue characterized by humility, patience, and a gentle spirit. Her account is primarily found in the first two chapters of 1 Samuel, where her life and actions provide a rich tapestry of faith and submission to God's will.

Hannah was one of the two wives of Elkanah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. Despite Elkanah's love for her, Hannah faced the deep personal anguish of childlessness, a condition that brought social stigma and personal sorrow in ancient Israelite culture. Her rival, Peninnah, who had children, would provoke and taunt her, exacerbating Hannah's distress. Yet, Hannah's response to this provocation was not one of retaliation or bitterness but of quiet endurance and prayerful submission.

In 1 Samuel 1:10-11 , we read, "In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. And she made a vow, pleading, 'O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head.'" This prayer reveals Hannah's meekness in her willingness to submit her deepest desires to God's will, trusting in His timing and purpose.

Hannah's meekness is further exemplified in her interaction with Eli, the priest. When Eli mistakenly accused her of being drunk as she prayed silently in the temple, Hannah responded with respect and humility, explaining her situation without anger or defensiveness (1 Samuel 1:15-16). Her gentle and respectful demeanor won Eli's favor, and he blessed her, saying, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him" (1 Samuel 1:17).

God answered Hannah's prayer, and she bore a son, Samuel, whom she dedicated to the Lord as promised. Her song of thanksgiving in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 is a testament to her deep faith and recognition of God's sovereignty and justice. It reflects her meek spirit, acknowledging that strength and exaltation come from the Lord, not from human effort or status.

Hannah's life is a testament to the power of meekness in the face of adversity. Her account encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness and to approach life's challenges with a spirit of humility and patience. Through her example, we see that meekness is not weakness but a profound strength rooted in faith and reliance on God.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 1:13-16
Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
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Library

The Magnificat
... into forms so familiar to her, and especially that Hannah's hymn should ... In unshaken
meekness of steadfast obedience, she feels herself 'the handmaid of the Lord ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the magnificat.htm

Elijah --Passionate in Prayer
... most passion in his heart"the most love and the most hate; the most anger and the
most meekness; the most ... And take Hannah as an example to wives and mothers. ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/vi elijahpassionate in prayer.htm

Ninth Commandment
... you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. ...
me. Hannah Moore's method was a sure cure for scandal. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/ninth commandment.htm

A Word to the Wavering Ones
... Were we truly humble, we would accept God's love with thankful meekness, and, while
acknowledging our own unworthiness, would only think of it as enhancing His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 12 a word to.htm

Twenty-First Day. Holiness and Happiness.
... was in the song of praise on the shore of the Red Sea; how Hannah and Mary ... in the
Holy One of Israel.' Oh, give us, by Thy Holy Spirit, in meekness and poverty ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/twenty-first day holiness and happiness.htm

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
... When Hannah had prayed, "she went away, and was no more sad" (1 Samuel 1:18 ... in their
beauty: hope is " the helmet" (1 Thessalonians 5:8), meekness "the ornament ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the best things work for.htm

"Nunc Dimittis"
... Blessed is that man who has received thy grace a meekness for heaven, and a ... Eli said
unto Hannah, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/nunc dimittis.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Hannah, sorrow of, blessed, 41. Harvest, one here, one hereafter, [748]293. Heart,
the, how a treasure, [749]269. ... Honor, contrasted with meekness, [812]166. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/index of subjects.htm

Conformed to the Image of Christ
... But I look at Christ and think of what He would have done, and dwell upon the thought
of His gentleness and meekness and His love for the offending one; and ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 16 conformed to the.htm

Acts vi. 8
... him that he is in the wrong: rebuke him, entreat him: by meekness anger is ... Eli's
menial insulted Hannah, saying, "Put away thy wine from thee." (1 Samuel 1:14 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xv acts vi 8.htm