Review: A Passionate Hope by Jill Eileen Smith

To Purchase

About:

Two Old Testament women want to be loved by their shared husband—and to bear children. To what lengths will they go to get what they want most, and will either find her heart's desire?

My Thoughts:

What a heart wrenching story this one was. I know the story of Hannah and of Samuel from the Bible and have read it many times. I actually went back to read it again while this fictional account was fresh in my mind and it really gave me a new perspective on how Hannah was truly suffering. 

This story is mostly told from Hannah’s and Elkanah’s, her husband’s point of views and later on we get Peninnah’s, the second wife’s viewpoint. Hannah by all accounts was barren and after many years was unable to provide children, more importantly sons to her husband. Faced with pressure from his controlling mother and father, Elkanah, who loved Hannah very much, is forced to consider taking a second, lesser wife. As you can imagine, that caused all kinds of hurt, sadness, jealousy, ridiculousness, etc. on all persons involved.

Hannah had no children, but had all of her husband’s love versus Peninnah, who had all the children and none of her husband’s devotion. Wow. So when the time comes for Hannah to pray her prayer for Samuel, the agonizing vow she makes to God, we as a reader are already heart sore for her.

Author Smith really brought this novel to life and it was a hard read for me. That was a different time and culture, but all the same- people are people, and women are women. We also are shown just how evil Eli’s, the priest, two sons were. The terrible trouble and judgement they were bringing not only on themselves but on the people of Israel.

This book left me with a lesson learned on patience. So many times we jump in and try to make things happen on our own time, yet God always has us wait for a reason.  As I look at the character of Samuel, he came at the right time for a great purpose when Israel needed him the most. Hannah and Elkanah just needed a little bit more patience in their waiting.  This is my favorite by author Smith.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.