1 Samuel 1:6

New International Version

Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.

For Meditation

Childless in a polygamous marriage because God had closed her womb, Peninnah, the other wife of her husband, Elkanah, drove Hannah to extreme provocation (1 Samuel 1:6-7). Naturally, she grieved over her situation, but she did not retaliate or turn her anger on her husband. She knew a better way and the best person to cry on His shoulder—God Almighty—the giver of life (11).

God answered her prayers and gave her a son. Hannah did not seek a child for her own sake but to give him back to the Lord to work through him—to bring His people back to Him. She had the right motive for the son, and she did the right thing—she prayed.

When provoked, there are three ways we can react. We can slug it out with the offender and make things worse as Job did with his three friends (Job 16:2), blame somebody else as the cause of our problems and strain a beautiful relationship like Sarah did (Genesis 16:5), or turn to God and commit our woes to Him. Hannah presents us with the best response. She had the right attitude under provocation—non-retaliation and prayer, and that is what God affirms.

Who is provoking you today? What is irritating your life? How do you intend to deal with it?