In 1 Samuel chapter one, we meet a lady named Hannah. She wanted to have a baby, but was unable to and, in those days, that was a big problem. Women were valued for their ability to produce children so that the family line would carry on. If you could not have children, it was considered a curse. So Hannah prays for God’s help. In fact, she promises that, if she is blessed with a baby boy, she would give him back to the service of God. In due time, her prayer is answered. She has the baby and names him Samuel which, in Hebrew, sounds like the phrase “God heard me” (verse 20). Now, I have always thought of this chapter as “the story of Samuel’s birth”. However, re-reading it, I noticed that Samuel really is not the focus of this passage. Look at these references: “Worshipping the Lord Almighty (verse 3)… Priests of the Lord (3)… The Lord closed her womb (5 and 6)… Prayed at the house of the Lord (7)… The Lord’s temple (