David reminds us that “the Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite [crushed] spirit” (Ps. 34:18). Hannah is an example of one who was crushed by deep sorrow; her brokenness is recorded for us in 1 Samuel 1.

Hannah lived during the period of the judges, when men were not following God’s laws, but each “did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 21:25). Her husband Elkanah had another wife named Peninnah, who had children. Peninnah tormented Hannah because Hannah had no children (1 Sam. 1:6).

Because of these circumstances, Hannah’s heart was grieved, but really that is simplifying her pain! It is important to see just how deep her hurt truly was! In verse 6–7 we are told twice that Peninnah provoked Hannah severely, causing her to weep. This weeping is mentioned three times in the passage (vv. 6, 8, 10). It is not only that her feelings were hurt, but that this hurt ran deep, and there was no end to it! We are told that Hannah experienced “bitterness of soul,” that she wept in anguish, that she was a woman of sorrowful spirit, pouring out her soul before the Lord. Proverbs 15:13 reminds us that “by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” This describes Hannah! Proverbs 17:22 describes this type of a broken spirit as drying up the bones! The loss of vitality and energy!

Like Hannah you may have deep pain, hurt that has been there for many days, months, or even years. We want to encourage you to remember, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds,” and “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart.”