Hannah was the mother of Samuel the prophet, as recorded in 1 Samuel 1-2. She was one of the two wives of Elkanah. Hannah was barren and deeply distressed by her inability to bear children, especially because Peninnah, Elkanah's other wife, provoked her. During a visit to the tabernacle at Shiloh, Hannah prayed fervently and made a vow to God that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord's service for his entire life (1 Samuel 1:11).
God answered her prayer, and she gave birth to Samuel. True to her vow, after weaning him, she brought him to the tabernacle at Shiloh and entrusted him to the priest Eli. Samuel grew up serving God in the tabernacle and became one of Israel's greatest prophets and the last of the judges.
The other women listed are distinct biblical figures: Abigail was the wife of Nabal and later of David. Ruth was a Moabite who married Boaz and became the great-grandmother of David. Naomi was Ruth's mother-in-law. None of these women was the mother of Samuel.
