1 Samuel Chapter 1 Verse 5 

But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. 1 Samuel 1:5

The argument begins. King James version scripture states Hannah’s womb was shut up – not barren. The most amazing thing is God did the shutting up. In my mind, I envision God removing Hannah’s womb from her body. God then takes it up to Heaven for an appointed time. The argument is Hannah did not have a womb – making her incapable of conceiving a child. With God’s Divine and permissive will – Christians often find themselves in challenging situations.

I argue. Why would God tell His first created humans to be fruitful and multiply? Why would He then take that right away from Hannah? Did God put Hannah and Elkanah in a position to disobey His command?  What was on God’s mind? Did God go against His own word? Why was God messing with Hannah’s stuff!

God the Father had a genius plan. He created man to be in His image and likeness. (Putting more of Himself in the world). The Lord God is so Holy, Omnipotent, Supreme, and Almighty, that He cannot be touched by human hands. His character cannot be matched – there is none like Him! Creation was God’s pleasure. Afterward, He faces disappointment because of man’s sin. The beautiful image of God is now tainted and no longer represents His true image. What should He do?

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. Genesis 6:5-7

The foolishness of God. What was God thinking to use a sinful image of a man to present another man (Jesus) to wipe away sin? God had to look upon sin in the thing (man) that He created to represent Himself. Was this new man (JESUS) more handsome, stronger, and wiser than Adam? Was He really a man at all! We do not always understand God’s plan but He always has a plan to bring His name Glory!

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 1 Corinthians 1:25-29 

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:1-14

What possible reason could God have for shutting up Hannah’s womb? Was He punishing Hannah for some sin? Often we focus on – what have I done to anger or displease God. Most times our trials, challenges, and wilderness experience are to exalt the Lord. God planted an invisible seed in Hannah. This seed would become fruitful after Hannah knew how to handle Divine Destiny.

God alone knew how He would use Hannah’s body. Hannah was to carry something precious for the Lord just like Mary – the mother of Jesus. God used the bodies of Mary and Hannah to bring about His perfect will. Both women birthed children they could not keep. Hannah would later pledge her child Samuel to the Lord. Mary also had to return Jesus back to God.

Israel was at a Religious low point at this time. Enemies attacked from every angle. Multiple wars raged at the same time and Israel did not have many allies. All surrounding nations were jealous of Israel because the Lord was with them through every victorious battles. Some of the Religious Leaders and judges became corrupt. The Lord wanted to restore the Priesthood and leadership of Israel. However He would do it His way.

God wanted to use Hannah’s body to bring forth a Priest that would give His name glory. In order to do this – Hannah could not lay sole motherhood claims on Samuel. Hannah became so desperate in her plea for a son – that her prayers changed. She began to pray for the child and forgot her desires. Hannah realized God’s plan for the promised child. She relinquished her motherly hold. Then she released Samuel to the Lord.

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head. 1 Samuel 1:11

When Hannah knew God’s heart for the child she would carry – He opened her womb. God’s “Child of Destiny” was born. There was much conflict between Hannah and Peninnah. God did not want His promised child involved in this rivalry. It was not God’s plan for Hannah to raise Samuel. He wanted His child of destiny raised in the house of the Lord.

Samuel would grow to be the first of his kind as a Judge, Priest, and Prophet. He closed the door as the last Judge of Israel and started the first Prophetic Movement. Samuel helped to start the Israelite Monarchy and anointed the first kings Saul and David. 

Samuel is known as the Father of the Prophet Movement. People really began to accept and embrace the office of Prophet as God used Samuel mightily for Israel. He was known as a “Seer” because he could see what God would say.

Samuel was gifted spiritually and was obedient to God. People of Israel trusted Samuel to speak for the Lord. Whatever Samuel spoke came to pass. God unlocks Hannah’s womb and out comes Samuel – a picture of God’s perfect will. Thus begins a new journey, “The Importance of Finishing Well’.

It seemed like God shut up David’s womb (Birthing of Divine Destiny) in his struggle with King Saul. David was anointed as king by the authority of God – because of Saul’s disobedience. David experienced the challenges of a raging mad man. Saul sought at every attempt to take David’s life. God Himself groomed David to be a warrior, worshiper, and king. God shut up the easy way for David. He could have intervened at any time to stop Saul. But, God’s Grace was sufficient for David.

We could ask “Why did God shut up David’s womb”? God had a perfect plan for David just as He did Hannah. David had to decide if he wanted to please man or please God. Through all of David’s trials and challenges with King Saul – God never left David.

Saul was a raging mad man who lost favor with God. The Lord stopped talking to Saul and did not answer his prayers. Although David sought refuge in cages and in the wilderness – he never gave up on God. The Divine plan of God, was to bring Jesus through the lineage of King David. Don’t give up on hope.

In your hardest moments realize that God is “Birthing Divine Destiny in your life”. God delivered Hannah from an impossible situation to birthing her destiny. Don’t give up on your dreams. Stay in the race. Remember “The Importance of Finishing Well”.