Tuesday, the First Week of Advent

The First Tuesday of Advent

Isaac was the first of many unusual births. The biblical authors used the theme of the power of God's creative energy to bring life where none should be expected frequently in association with significant characters.

Selections from 1 Samuel 1

There was a certain man from Ramathaim named was Elkanah, from the Ephraim clan. He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.

     Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to Yhwh Who Commands Armies at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and Yhwh had closed her womb. Because Yhwh had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the Yhwh's house, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

     Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of Yhwh’s house. In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to Yhwh, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “ Yhwh Who Commands Armies, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to Yhwh for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” As she kept on praying to Yhwh, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

     “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to Yhwh. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

     Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”

     She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

     Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before Yhwh and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and Yhwh remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel (“Heard of God) saying, “Because I asked Yhwh for him.”

1. Why was Hannah so grieved?
2. Do you know any couples who cannot have children? Can you imagine what that must feel like? What cultural differences/expectations might make Hannah's experience different from what you are imagining?
3. Can you recall any of the other stories of unusual births from the Bible? (e.g. Moses, Jacob & Esau, Leah & Rachel's sons, etc.)