Misunderstood Hannah

1 Samuel 1

           Poor, misunderstood Hannah!  Her husband comes across as a bit of an oaf.  He knows that she grieves her lack of children.  He even gives her a double portion of the sacrifice to make up for it.  But there’s never a word that he rebukes or reprimands Penninah for continually mocking Hannah, and he makes a comment that just completely doesn’t fit his context:  “Aren’t I worth more to you than 10 sons?”  Look, that sentiment flies in the modern world, in which we value children differently than in the ancient world.  (Sometimes moderns talk about children as if they’re an accessory—not the outfit itself, but just something to make the outfit look better.)  Of course Hannah’s going to say, “No, you’re not better than 10 sons.  Get over yourself.”  
            (It turns out the ancient world was of two minds about children:  on the one hand, they had no social value; all their worth was tied up in their parents.  On the other hand, children (especially sons) were a sign of posterity, that one's name would carry on for another generation.  So, the ancient world was capable of some real evil towards children.  Consider that the Romans would leave unwanted children, especially daughters, in the city dump to die of exposure, and even Jesus' disciples tried to keep children away from Him.  On the other hand, a lack of children was a major problem and widely considered a sign of God's displeasure.)

            Then, there’s the other woman, Penninah, who has lots of children and loves to rub Hannah’s nose in it.  The whole thing is clearly reminiscent of Rachel and Leah.  One wonders if perhaps the same dynamic is at work, if Elkanah favors Hannah more than Penninah.  Given the way the story unfolds—that the child of the barren woman becomes a great figure for the deliverance of Israel—it seems we’re supposed to have Jacob’s story in mind.

            And, there’s the priest, Eli.  In the ancient world, you prayed out loud, not silently.  In the same way, you read out loud, not to yourself.  (This is exactly opposite of how we typically do it in the modern world.)  So, because Hannah is weeping and praying silently, Eli accuses her of drunkenness.  A more insightful man would have observed that Hannah was grief-stricken, not drunk.

            But all Hannah wants is the Lord’s affirmation of her that comes with a child.  She is even willing (and does!) give the child back.

            In that way, I suppose, Hannah isn’t all that different from us.  I think that of all the things we value, unconditional affirmation is one of the top ones.  For Christians, that affirmation is found on the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, which are the Triune God’s great declaration, “This is how much I value you.”