Hannah's Promise: a novel

By Arlene Pinkley Ussery

Many make vows; few keep them. Hannah did, and her vow unveiled her destiny. With heartwarming honesty and poetic beauty, she tells her grandson's wife, Jerusha, the story of how she made her vow, what it cost her, and its consequences. In ancient Israel, 1100 years before Christ, Hannah grew up envied by the girls of Ramah. But then, in a land and time where producing sons rated as the chief goal of a woman's life, she suffered the anguish of infertility. Hannah's descent into a pit of despair threatened to rob her of all she valued: her relationship with her husband, her ability to enjoy life, and her confidence in Yaweh, the God of Israel. Just when she began to reclaim her life and faith, Hannah discovered her husband was taking another wife. With the arrival of Peninnah, Hannah's situation worsened in shocking and surprising ways. Questions tormented Hannah: "Why does God refuse to answer my prayers when I strive to honor Him? When life seems unbearable, how can I have hope, a reason to live?" Finally, pain drove Hannah to make a vow to God-a vow that impacted not only her own life and life of her family, but the entire Hebrew nation. Having studied in Israel, the author brings the rich atmosphere of ancient Israel to life with unusual clarity. With passionate sensitivity she paints characters pulsing with personality and deep emotion. From her life-long intimacy with God, the author gently and subtly uncovers clues for those yearning to draw closer and those with questions about God. While in this strikingly different environment, readers find it easy to look at life's important, but often neglected issues, gleaning timeless insights to carry back into the modern world.Journey through ancient doors and discover timeless treasures!

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1450570151
• ISBN13: 9781450570152
• Release Date: July 2010
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.6" x 5.5"