When considering Hannah’s deep sorrow, and her prayer, it may be instructive concerning those times when we do not know what to pray for. Sometimes, when the pain is so strong, the hurt is so deep that we do not know how to pray. Paul reminds us, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought” (Rom. 8:26). He simply wants us to come in faith and lay our hearts open before Him, and He is able to heal the brokenhearted!

It is important to mention why Hannah wanted a child. She did not simply want a child, but a male child (1 Sam. 1:8, 11), someone who could grow to be used of the Lord to lead His people. She made an incredibly challenging vow to God that, if God gave her a male child, she would dedicate him to serve the Lord all the days of his life. Hannah kept this vow, keeping Samuel home until he was weaned. She then brought him to the tabernacle to fulfill her vow to dedicate him to God’s service (1:21–28). In his early days, she showed her tender love for him by making him a new robe each year. Samuel knew his mother loved him, but he also knew that his mother was fulfilling the vow she had made to God.

Hannah had opened her heart to the Lord in her bitterness; now we hear her opening her heart in sweet praise! He has turned her sorrow into a song (2:1–10)! The Lord can give songs in the night (Job 35:10; Ps. 42:8). He gave a song to a surrendered heart! The song of the Lord can be power to the powerless, strength to the weak, joy to the joyless, healing to the soul, victory to the defeated, and a sacrifice of praise unto the Lord (Heb. 13:15).