Ep. 85: The Lord Had Given Her No Children

<p class="p1">In Podcast Episode 85, “The Lord Had Given Her No Children,” Kim discusses Hannah’s infertility and the hand of the Lord regarding pregnancy. Why does the Lord enable some women to have children and others not? Why do some families have healthy children and others have ones who are differently enabled?</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">The primary scripture text for this episode is 1 Samuel 1:1-8 with focal verses 5, 8:</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">5 “And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion because the Lord had given her no children.” 6 So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. 7 Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat. 8 “Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?”” (1 Samuel 1:5-8)</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">13 So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. (Ruth 4:13)</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">21 Isaac pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children. The Lord answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. (Genesis 25:21)</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body</p> <p class="p1">    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.</p> <p class="p1">14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!</p> <p class="p1">    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.</p> <p class="p1">15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,</p> <p class="p1">    as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.</p> <p class="p1">16 You saw me before I was born.</p> <p class="p1">    Eve