Hannah Prays for Baby Samuel

Hannah was very, very sad. She wanted a baby so much, but she didn't have any children. Her husband Elkanah loved her, but that didn't take away her sadness.

Every year, Hannah's family went to God's special tent in Shiloh to worship. One year, Hannah went to pray. She was crying so hard! She prayed, 'God, if you give me a baby boy, I promise to let him serve you all his life.'

Hannah prayed so hard that her lips were moving but no sound came out! The priest Eli thought something was wrong with her. But Hannah said, 'No, I'm just praying really, really hard to God!'

Eli said, 'May God give you what you asked for!'

Guess what? God heard Hannah's prayer! She had a baby boy! She was SO happy! She named him Samuel, which means 'God heard me.'

Hannah loved baby Samuel so much. When Samuel was still a little boy, Hannah remembered her promise to God. Even though it was hard, she took Samuel to live at God's tent with Eli the priest.

Hannah said to Eli, 'I prayed for this child, and God gave him to me. So now I'm giving him back to God. He will serve God his whole life!'

Hannah sang a beautiful song praising God! She was happy because she kept her promise. She visited Samuel every year and brought him a new coat she made.

And guess what? God blessed Hannah with MORE children—three more boys and two girls! God gave Hannah even more than she asked for!

Samuel grew up serving God, and he became one of the most important prophets ever!