Why Did Hannah Want a Son?: The Desire for a New World

This study will examine Hannah's prayer (1 Sam. 2:1-10) to understand why she wanted a son and what she ultimately hoped to accomplish through him. First, the political turmoil, moral decay, and spiritual corruption of the time of the Judges amplified the desire for a king. Second, Hannah’s prayer of praise and thanksgiving after the birth of her longed-for son is in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, so it is clear that Hannah's prayer is connected with the story of her longing for a son. Third, the “king” and “anointed one” mentioned in 1 Samuel 2:10 are referring to the institution of kingship that God would establish through Samuel. It would begin with King David, a man after God's own heart, continues with his descendants, and expands into the kingdom of God that Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, will establish, foreshadowing its ultimate consummation at the end of time on the day of the last judgment. Fourth, the two psalms of Hannah and David provide an important hermeneutical key to unlock the book of Samuel, showing that even though righteousness and justice are not practiced, the time will come when God will rule the whole world in righteousness and justice through His chosen king and the coming Messiah. In conclusion, Hannah’s desire for a son was due to her longing and anticipation of the new world that would unfold through her son, and that through the kingship system that would be established through her son, the chaos of the Judges would be put to rest and the whole world would be governed with righteousness and justice.