Hannah, wife of Elkanah, a Kohathite of the tribe of Levi, must have felt a great sense of despair when, month after month, she remained barren. Hannah might have felt that by not bearing a child with Elkanah she lacked status and merit in his eyes. She cried out to God again and again until the answer came.
Hannah’s prayer of despair was answered in a miraculous way that brought about the birth of Samuel, who would grow up to be a great prophet in Israel. He, in turn, would anoint a shepherd boy named David to become king and establish Jerusalem as his capital city. It was this same David who would write, “Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice” (Psalm 55:17).
My wife, Carolyn, taught me a faith lesson when our fourth and last child was born. I had secretly wanted a son to love, probably because I never had a father who loved me. I thought I would only have my three beautiful daughters, which was fine with me; they are my sweethearts! But God gave Carolyn and me another child.
Carolyn obstinately refused to listen to the opinions of others—those who told her she would have another girl. She believed God had told her a boy was on the way. Her belief persisted even after the doctor announced that she would have another girl. Let me repeat that: She believed God! She was totally convinced—against all odds—that our baby would be a boy and declared that he would be named Michael David Evans II. I reminded Carolyn that I didn’t have a middle name.
Of course, it didn’t faze her at all; the new mother won that battle! Soon after our son’s birth, I appeared before a judge to have my name changed to Michael David Evans. Both my son and I are now named “David” as are hundreds and thousands of boys and their fathers worldwide. Michael David has grown up to be a godly man of integrity. I have told him, “I was named after you. When I grow up, I want to be just like you.”
Hannah’s miracle son, Samuel, grew to be a man of integrity and prayer. He stood before the people of Israel on one occasion and said, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you” (1 Samuel 12:23). Samuel grew up to be more than simply an answer to prayer; he became a priest, judge, and prophet who later anointed both Saul and David as kings over Judah.
