Hannah mother of a proph.., p.1
Hannah: Mother of a Prophet, page 1
Cover image Hannah and Samuel by Robert A. Boyd; for more information go to RobertABoyd.com
Cover design copyright © 2022 by Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published by Covenant Communications, Inc.
American Fork, Utah
Copyright © 2022 by H.B. Moore
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any format or in any medium without the written permission of the publisher, Covenant Communications, Inc., P.O. Box 416, American Fork, UT 84003. The views expressed within this work are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Covenant Communications, Inc., or any other entity.
This is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, places, and dialogue are either products of the author’s imagination, and are not to be construed as real, or are used fictitiously.
First Printing: June 2022
ISBN 978-1-52442-199-1
Dedicated to my readers,
whose lives have taken unexpected detours.
Praise for Heather Moore
“Thirty years had passed since the waiting period of Hannah, the mockery from Peninnah, and the birth of Samuel. Samuel became a grown man and an accomplished priest, while Hannah had comfort on every side as God blessed her with five more children. However, the story has just begun as their faith, trust, and steadfastness in God will undergo many tests. Through the fire they went, and out they came refined. Follow the captivating story of Hannah by H. B. Moore as Elkanah and the matriarch guided their family through many situations. They went from Abigail’s dilemma to the Philistine war, the return of Asher, the fall of Eli, the manifestation of Samuel, the ordained marriage, and more. This story documented a legacy with some fiction from Ramah to Shiloh and the places in between.
Hannah by H. B. Moore is evergreen and a powerful tale spiced with fiction. I loved Moore’s writing style, character development, and flawless editing. Hannah is a book for everyone regardless of station, race, color, and creed because it preaches one message—faith! We are all in the waiting room for one need or the other. The Lord will provide. However, we must shun bitterness toward others during the waiting period while keeping a clean mind and spirit. Only then can we be blessed receptors. Hannah helped me reflect, and I understood that to whom God desires, He shows mercy. Peninnah had children with ease, even in her wickedness, yet Sarah didn’t. The wicked Esther lost her husband while Judith gained double. So no matter the problem, He makes all things beautiful in his time. Thank you for a fantastic story, H. B. Moore.”
—Readers’ Favorite five-star review
“A reminder for us all that God is aware of the yearnings of our hearts, that His timing is good and that His love is perfect.”
—Rachel Fordham, author of Where the Road Bends
Characters
Historical
Characters
Abiah
Eli
Elkanah
Hannah
Hophni
Joel
Peninnah
Phinehas
Samuel
Fictional
Characters
Abigail
Adah
Asher
Benjamin
Daniel
David
Deborah
Elisheba
Esther
Eve
Gad
Gilead
Michal
Ishmael
Jacob
Jael
Judith
Leah
Levi
Lydia
Mahlon
Martha
Mary
Michal
Miriam
Noa
Obed
Rebekah
Reuben
Ruth
Sarah
Tamar
Timon
The First Book of Samuel
Otherwise Called the First Book of the Kings
(King James Version)
1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.
4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.
6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.
Chapter One
1041 BC
Village of Ramah
“Mother,” Noa said, bursting into the cooking room. She was alone, which was unusual since her friend Abigail seemed to be her shadow.
Hannah set down her embroidery that she’d been working on in the corner of the cooking room at a spare table, where the most light was in the house. The weather was too unpredictable in the spring to work outside.
Now, she focused on her youngest daughter, Noa, who, at age eighteen, was more interested in what was happening outside their home rather than the chores to be done inside.
Today had been such a day, and Noa had yet to sweep the floor or set the barley to soak overnight in preparation for tomorrow’s morning meal. But Hannah knew her daughter was excited for tonight’s village festival that was to celebrate planting season.
“Papa told me about the Philistines in Aphek.” Noa sat across from Hannah, her nearly black hair draped over her shoulder, unbound from the indigo-dyed scarf. She had the walnut-brown eyes of her father but the smaller nose of her mother, which was probably fortunate.
“Yes,” Hannah said simply. There had been much talk of the Philistines lately. They had established a camp in Aphek, at Israel’s borders. It seemed every few months there was a border skirmish, and the Philistines encroached more and more.
“Abigail told me her brother-in-law has talked of joining the Israelite forces if the Philistines continue their threats.”
This didn’t exactly surprise Hannah. The young men in their village were loyal to their country. But her husband, Elkanah, had assured her this morning that there was no cause for alarm. The Philistines made more noise than they had might to support it. “We’ve heard rumors of war for months,” she told her daughter. “They are rumors; that is all. Now, can you thread this needle for me? My eyes are not what they used to be.”
Noa hid a sigh, but Hannah heard it anyway. “Mama, we can afford to have our clothing made. Why do you spend so many weeks working on one coat when your eyes get so tired that you’re beset by headaches?”
Hannah had many answers, but it boiled down to only one: love. “Someday, Noa, you will have a mother’s heart, and you will understand fully.”
“Well, that ‘someday’ won’t come if Father doesn’t speak to Reuben’s father.”
“Did I hear someone say my name?” Elkanah walked into the house. He was home early. Hannah was always happy to see her husband.
He paused by the table and bent to kiss her cheek. Her husband was still a handsome man, although his beard was completely white now. His walnut-brown eyes gleamed with warmth.
“No one said your name, Papa,” Noa said. “But we were talking about you.”
“That’s very interesting because I was just talking about you.”
Noa’s eyes widened. “What? Who? Was it to Reuben’s father?”
Elkanah set a hand on her shoulder and grinned. “It was, my dear daughter. Tonight, you and Reuben will be formally introduced.”
Hannah clapped her hands together, her heart soaring at the news.
Noa leapt to her feet and threw her arms about her father’s neck. “Oh, can this be true? I cannot believe it.” She drew away from Elkanah. “Does this mean we will be betrothed?”
“I have little doubt,” Elkanah said. “Reuben’s smile gave him away, as does yours.”
Noa hugged her father again. “Goodness. I must find something so beautiful to wear that Reuben won’t be able to take his eyes from me.”
“I will leave you to it,” Elkanah said, then winked at Hannah. “I must finish up a few things myself.” He kissed Hannah’s cheek again, then headed out of the cooking room.
Noa sat down in a daze. “Can you believe it, Mama?”
“I can believe it,” Hannah said. Noa and the blacksmith apprentice had been eyeing each other for months.
“Is this too good to believe?” Noa asked, then her brow wrinkled. “What if he gets it into his head to join up with the Israelite soldiers and face the Philistines?”
Now they were back to this again. “We can’t know the future, but we do know that the Lord is in charge, my daughter. Now, hand me the next color thread, please.” Noa and Reuben would likely marry before the end of the year. All the more reason to have the coat finished so Hannah could begin wedding preparations.
Noa’s expression relaxed as she did as Hannah bade. Noa really was an obedient daughter, and Hannah would miss her dearly. The main house already felt empty enough, and even when it was filled with her married children and grandchildren on Sabbath, something inside Hannah seemed to continually ache.
Their home had been humble once, when Hannah was a young wife, but their circumstances had changed over the years—due to her son’s service in the temple—and their homestead had expanded. Now, it was too large in Hannah’s opinion. Her children were all grown and living on homesteads of their own. Save for her youngest, Noa.
Hannah still insisted on baking her own bread and embroidering certain clothing. No, she didn’t spin wool or weave anymore, but each year she made a new coat for her eldest son. It had been a tradition she’d started when he was a boy of eight. The year he’d stepped inside the temple courtyard, clinging to her hand, his chin lifted, and his eyes brimming with tears. The year he’d joined the household of Eli the high priest, and Hannah walked home, her heart empty and full at the same time.
“Abigail has arrived,” Noa said suddenly, rising to her feet. “She is going to give me advice on what to wear to the festival tonight. Now I have double the reason to look beautiful.”
Sure enough, a knock sounded at the door to the side of the cooking room. Noa had sharper ears than a fox.
“Come in,” Noa called out before she reached the door.
Light, young voices came from Noa and her closest friend, Abigail, as Noa shared the news about Reuben. When the two young women entered the room, Hannah was struck by their differences. Noa’s dark hair was long and wavy, and her olive skin offset her brown eyes. Hannah had often been told Noa looked like her.
In contrast, Abigail’s hair was nearly copper in color, and her eyes were more green than brown. She was also tall for a woman and towered over Noa a full handspan. Today, Abigail’s mantle covering her hair was also green, making her eyes even greener.
“Hello, Hannah,” Abigail said, bowing her head.
“You don’t need to be so formal, Abigail,” Hannah said. “If you have time, come and sit while I embroider. Tell me how your family fares. Is your sister recovering well?”
Unlike Noa, Abigail didn’t seem to be in a hurry to get something else done. She settled on the bench Noa had vacated and, without any prompting, picked up a needle and threaded it. Hannah began the scarlet color while Abigail talked.
“My sister’s up and around now, and the babe is sleeping most of the night.” Abigail’s smile was soft. “He is a beautiful boy, even at such a young age. Eyes as deep as a gazelle’s and hair thick and dark like his father’s.”
Abigail was the second daughter of her family, and her older sister Dinah had just had her first child. The labor had been long and difficult, but now, three weeks later, that seemed to have been forgotten. This child was the male child longed for by all women in Israel. After two years of marriage and no offspring, Dinah had despaired a great deal. Hannah had shared her story of years of barrenness in order to bring comfort and hope to Dinah.
“My sister sings your praises daily,” Abigail continued.
“Goodness,” Hannah said with a quiet laugh. “I told her that I had nothing to do with her son coming forth.”
“Do either of you want tea?” Noa cut in, apparently resigned to visiting for a while.
“I can help,” Abigail said immediately.
“No, I’ll do it,” Noa insisted. “You can continue helping my mother with the threading.”
Abigail nodded. “Well, thank you. I’d love some tea.” She turned to Hannah again. “Dinah is convinced that you are an angel on earth. So much so that she calls you a prophetess.”
A warm shiver prickled the back of Hannah’s neck. She’d had remarkable spiritual experiences in her life, and she treasured and valued them. This also meant she didn’t share her story with many. Dinah had been an exception. But now, Hannah hoped the woman wouldn’t say such things to others.
Abigail lowered her voice. “Noa told me you are a private person, and I understand that. But if there is ever a time you feel like sharing your story again, I would love to hear it.”
Hannah opened her mouth, then closed it. Her gaze dropped to the coat hem she was embroidering. When she’d told Dinah of her experiences with barrenness, it had brought up long-forgotten pain and deep emotions. But speaking of it had also reminded Hannah of how full her life was now and how she had seen the fruits of her dedication to the Lord throughout her entire life.
“Perhaps another time, Abigail,” Noa said from where she was boiling water over the hearth, which was full of glowing embers left over from the midday meal. “Mother is in a hurry to get the embroidery done on Samuel’s coat.”
Hannah hesitated, then said, “I don’t mind.”
“Are you sure, Mother?” Noa asked.
Hannah glanced at Abigail. The girl’s gaze was filled with curiosity and . . . hope. “Yes. I believe it’s time to share my story with more than just a few people. Although it was nearly thirty years ago, sometimes it feels as if it happened last week.”
Abigail nodded her encouragement. “I would love to hear it.”
Hannah took a deep breath. “This might take a while.”
Abigail looked at Noa. “We have some extra time, right, Noa?”
Noa hesitated before saying, “Yes, we have all afternoon. I am in need of a distraction until it’s time to get ready for the festival. Besides, I don’t think I’ve heard the full story yet, Mother.”
Hannah felt grateful that her daughter was interested in hearing the full story. Who knew what hardships Noa might endure in her coming relationship and marriage to Reuben? He was a blacksmith apprentice, just beginning his career and life. What if barrenness could be passed down from mother to daughter? Noa would want her own posterity to care for her in her old age. Just as Hannah had wanted with her six children.
Sometimes she didn’t believe it herself. For a long time, for years really, she’d despaired that such a thing would ever happen. If her husband, Elkanah, had died while she’d remained childless, she would have been left completely alone thereafter. Peninnah, Elkanah’s second wife, had made that perfectly clear more than once during her lifetime . . . another burden Hannah had carried. Perhaps she didn’t need to share her entire story with these two young women, but she could share some of it at least.
Chapter Two
Village of Ramah
31 years earlier
The sound of babbling children should have brought a smile to Hannah’s face as she sat cross-legged on a cushion in her bedchamber. Instead, it only twisted her pain deeper, into that hidden place behind her breastbone where she suppressed her tears until all the candles were blown out and her husband’s breathing had deepened. For the children weren’t her own, but Peninnah’s.
Her husband’s second wife.
A wife whom he’d never have chosen if Hannah had been able to conceive.
Elkanah was a patient man, a truly good and fair man. But as the years passed, one by one, and still Hannah didn’t conceive, they both knew that his inheritance would pass into a relative’s hands.
Hannah closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of the incense she’d lit. Slowly. In and out. In and out. She needed extra calm this morning. Extra fortitude.
Not every woman in the village of Ramah married and had children. Of course not. But a woman needed a family to support her, and Hannah only had her husband. She had no brothers, no nephews, no father, no one to be her provider. Upon her husband’s death, she would be a beggar, a vagrant, and an unwanted burden. And if there was one thing Hannah abundantly possessed, it was fear of having to ask Peninnah for help.
They hadn’t always hated each other. Though perhaps hate was too strong a sentiment, at least on Hannah’s part. She’d tried many times, for multiple years, to brush off the barbs from Peninnah’s tongue. Hannah had even tearfully unburdened her agony upon her husband one night. Why, why did Peninnah have children so easily? And why, why could Hannah not?
