The story of Hannah is one of hope through suffering. It is a story of hardship with a happy ending! The biblical account is found in the first chapter of the book of 1st Samuel. There we read of Hannah, beloved wife of Elkanah, who had a great grief — she was childless! In that era, a woman’s role was primarily child bearing and rearing, so a barren woman was looked down upon and made to feel not fully a woman and even rejected by God. As was the custom in that day, Elkanah took a second wife who had several children and who made Hannah’s life even more miserable. However, Elkanah loved Hannah and gave her the best of all that he had.

Each year, the family went to Jerusalem for their annual sacrifice at the Temple, and so Hannah went to the Temple to pray and beg God for a child. She even said that she would give her child back to God to serve in the Temple if God gave her a son. Her agony was so great that she was groaning as she prayed and the High Priest thought she was drunk. However, she told him that she was begging God for mercy, and Eli then told her that God would give her whatever she had been praying for so fervently. Hannah was overjoyed and went home to become pregnant and bear a son, Samuel, who ended up being the greatest judge, priest, and prophet Israel had ever known. For the details of this story, please read the attached scripture passage.

Reflect on the cultural norms and how this family interacted withthe greater societal system and its expectations of women. Think about the love affair between Elkanah and Hannah, and reflect on the triangles you might see as well as other of Bowen’s eight elements. Consider Hannah’s profound faith in God and the answer to her prayers. In today’s society, how would you work with a woman who is in great emotional pain over infertility?

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