For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Hannah’s statement isn't just a declaration of answered prayer; it’s a profound testimony to her deep, personal relationship with God. She doesn't just say "God gave me a son," but emphasizes the petition she made, highlighting the active, relational plea and the specific granting of that very request. It’s a beautiful picture of how our intimate conversations with God are heard and answered.
For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse comes after Hannah has been deeply distressed, praying fervently and making a vow to God in her anguish at the temple. After Eli the priest mistakenly accuses her of being drunk, she explains her situation, and he blesses her. The narrative then shows Hannah's sorrow being lifted, and she returns home with her husband, conceiving their son Samuel shortly thereafter.
Hannah’s story starts with deep pain. In her culture, a woman’s worth was often tied to her ability to bear children. Her barrenness wasn't just a personal struggle; it was a public trial that brought immense sorrow and shame.
Hannah's Anguish
1 Samuel 1 paints a vivid picture of Hannah's suffering. She was not only unable to have children, but her husband's other wife, Peninnah, taunted her relentlessly. This constant torment pushed Hannah to a place of profound grief, where she 'wept and would not eat' (1 Samuel 1:7).
Prayer as a Lifeline
In her desperation, Hannah turned to the only One who could truly help. Her prayer wasn't a casual request; it was a solemn vow made in deep anguish of soul (1 Samuel 1:11). This shows us that when we face overwhelming circumstances, prayer can become our most powerful act of faith and hope, not just a last resort.
Hannah’s heartfelt prayer wasn’t ignored. The Lord heard her cry, and the result was the birth of a son. This moment marks a pivotal shift from despair to divine fulfillment.
God's Sovereign Response
The verse emphasizes that the Lord granted Hannah's petition. This wasn't a matter of chance or luck. It highlights God's active involvement and sovereignty in human affairs. He heard Hannah's specific prayer for a child and intervened in her life.
Faith Rewarded
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Hannah's subsequent dedication of Samuel back to the Lord (as she vowed) demonstrates the depth of her faith and commitment. The answer to her prayer wasn't just a personal blessing; it was the beginning of a significant prophetic lineage, with Samuel becoming a key figure in Israel's history.
Understand the original words
she'elah · Hebrew Noun
A specific request or plea made to God, often answered by His grace and sovereign intervention in the life of the petitioner.
c. 1100 BC
Eli serves as High Priest
Eli, a Levite priest, serves as the primary religious and civil leader in Shiloh, overseeing the tabernacle.
c. 1100 BC
Elkanah and Hannah's family
Elkanah, a devout man from the hill country of Ephraim, has two wives: Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah has children, but Hannah is barren.
c. 1100 BC— this verse
Hannah's anguished prayer
During a pilgrimage to the Tabernacle at Shiloh, Hannah prays fervently and in deep distress for a son, making a vow to dedicate him to the Lord.
c. 1099 BC
Samuel is born
The Lord remembers Hannah, and she conceives and bears a son, whom she names Samuel, meaning "God has heard."
c. 1095 BC
Samuel dedicated to the Lord
Once Samuel is weaned, Hannah brings him to Shiloh to serve Eli the priest in the Tabernacle, fulfilling her vow.
Just like Hannah, Rachel also prayed for a child and experienced God answering her prayer, showing a pattern of faithful petition being answered.
Luke 1:13-14Zechariah and Elizabeth received assurance from an angel that their prayer for a son would be answered, mirroring Hannah's joy in receiving her petition.
Psalm 113:7-9This psalm praises God for lifting up the needy and making the barren woman joyful in her home with children, directly reflecting Hannah's situation and answered prayer.
Matthew 7:7-8Jesus teaches the principle that 'ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you,' which is the very promise Hannah experienced when her prayer was granted.
Hannah’s statement isn't just a declaration of answered prayer; it’s a profound testimony to her deep, personal relationship with God. She doesn't just say "God gave me a son," but emphasizes the petition she made, highlighting the active, relational plea and the specific granting of that very request. It’s a beautiful picture of how our intimate conversations with God are heard and answered.
This verse comes after Hannah has been deeply distressed, praying fervently and making a vow to God in her anguish at the temple. After Eli the priest mistakenly accuses her of being drunk, she explains her situation, and he blesses her. The narrative then shows Hannah's sorrow being lifted, and she returns home with her husband, conceiving their son Samuel shortly thereafter.
This verse comes after Hannah has been deeply distressed, praying fervently and making a vow to God in her anguish at the temple. After Eli the priest mistakenly accuses her of being drunk, she explains her situation, and he blesses her. The narrative then shows Hannah's sorrow being lifted, and she returns home with her husband, conceiving their son Samuel shortly thereafter.
"For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him." — Hannah’s statement isn't just a declaration of answered prayer; it’s a profound testimony to her deep, personal relationship with God. She doesn't just say "God gave me a son," but emphasizes the *pe…
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Last reviewed October 2026