A Passionate Hope: (An Clean and Inspirational Retelling with Rich Historical Detail) (Daughters of the Promised Land)

"Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none." With those seven words, the Bible sums up Hannah's greatest struggle and the definition of her journey as a woman in ancient Israel. Jill Eileen Smith takes those words, plus the information the Bible provides on Hannah's time period, and fleshes out her final book in the Daughters of the Promised Land series. What results is, in my humble opinion, her most beautiful and touching story to date. Hannah leaps off the page, as do her fellow characters. She lives in a time when women without children were considered sinful or cursed, and struggles mightily against that at times. Yet at her core, Hannah is a devout, compassionate, and tenacious woman worth rooting for from cover to cover. Her husband Elkanah is likewise a multifaceted character, devoted to Adonai yet constantly oppressed with the pressures of his culture and the knowledge that the priesthood is disgustingly corrupt. Other characters, from Hannah's rival sister wife Penninah to her mother-in-law Galiah and sister-in-law Dana, add flavor and depth to the story. Once again, Jill remains faithful to Scripture, making the setting of ancient Israel feel real on the pages. Hannah and her family live in the time of the judges, a period where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes," and it shows. The ever-worsening priesthood touches the family on more than one occasion, leading to deep frustration and grief. In one scene, Hannah's sincere sacrifice is rejected primarily out of spite, leading to some heart-wrenching reactions. Despite this, Hannah remains strong, not only in her hope for a child, but her hope for a deliverer of Israel. As always, Jill uses Old Testament events to weave in hints of the coming Christ. I think, however, that my favorite part of A Passionate Hope is how deeply Jill delves into humans' relationships with God. In the course of the novel, she tackles common questions like, why aren't the prayers of the most devoted answered? Why do bad things happen to good people, while the wicked seem to get whatever they want? What constitutes God's blessing and who is worthy of it? Nowhere is this more apparent than in Hannah's relationship with Penninah. Her sister wife is spoiled, selfish, and vindictive, constantly spiritualizing Hannah's barrenness to make it seem as though God does not love her. At a crucial point, Penninah's attitude nearly drives Hannah to suicide (not mentioned in Scripture, but not at all a stretch considering the culture). But beyond the realm of human understanding, Hannah continues living, and continues to try to reach Penninah. Even centuries before Christ, she embodies what it means to love an enemy, and she reaps what she sows. It definitely helps that Jill gives Penninah a lot of shading and sympathy; she's not a one-note antagonist. Here, she's definitely immature and nasty, but doesn't come to her conclusions on her own. Actually, Penninah's conniving mother drives a lot of her actions, gaining her some understanding. Hannah's final, wrenching vow, and her eventual relationship with little Samuel, put the cap on one of the best books I've read so far this year. I highly recommend reading this as a prologue to The Wives of King David series, and I hope Jill writes much more like this.

I just finished this book 📚🤓☕ It's a good one!! About Hannah from the Bible. This author is amazing. Her ability to bring to life the characters of the Bible that we don't really know that much about, is incredible. She fills in the blank spaces & fleshes out a story of real probability. Much like The Chosen has done on film, Jill Eileen Smith has done in print. 5⭐

The reading of this book was for me a man a real eye opener. Jill brings out in sharp detail just what suffering a woman will experience being unable to produce a family especially when her husband too, longs for this. In the culture of the day this inability also brought down scorn unimaginable in these times. Add to this the disgraceful use of power that men in the religious system were able to exercise and its consequences made for a read that was unusual for me. I am grateful to Jill a writer of immense skill to tell the stories of history particularly of Israel and the Jewish people which she understands very well. Yes, I was confronted by this book with insights that challenged my own stance and behaviour over the years. This a book for men to read and think very carefully about.

I've just started following and reading Jill Eileen Smith's novels, and I'm blessed. Her research into these biblical times is excellent and the development of relationships between the characters is very good. And the true story/plot line is laid out for us to walk through. This is an excellent novel to read now, because so many of their struggles exist in our lives today. There are moments when I could easily compare them to news events, too. Leading me to prayer -- that we will recall history and lead better lives in all relationships. I recommend this novel to adults and young adults, too.

Hannah was barren. She married the man she loved. Hannah wanted more than anything to give him a son. Years went by and still no child. Elkanah's mother had been insisting for many years that elkanah take a second wife to give him sons. After many years elkanah did take a second wife. Hannah was grieved and prayed even harder for a child. They went up to Shiloh to worship Hannah went to the temple and prayed,crying for a child. The priest Eli thought she was drunk she explained her situation, Eli blessed her and told her she would have a son. Hannah had promised if God would give her a son she would lend him back to the Lord all the days of his life. That child was the prophet Samuel.

In my ignorance, I had never even heard of Hannah in the Bible. I have never been able to pick up a Bible and read it. I do not understand what it means at all. Little by little I have been able to start understanding events in the Bible. And Ms Smith is one of the brightest authors capable of weaving a truly magnificent epic slice of that period of time in the Bible. Ms Smith has inspired me to pick up the Bible and begin to understand, in my own capacity, the events and the meanings therein.

I have read about Hannah in the Bible many times but this book has been such an eye opener to me about how her life could have really been. I love Jill’s books. She brings them to life. I think I have read most of them. I am gonna read Amaging Grace next

Can’t put it down

Great read. Never realized he had two wives. Jill‘s writings helps with understanding the Bible.

Beautiful story of diverse longings. Hannah, a woman I aspire to be like. Her love for God, her humility and wise counsel, her tender compassion, here is a woman of deep virtue. The story has been a delight to read. A real portrayal of Gods will overriding all things. Thank you Jill Eileen Smith once again.

How I was looking forward to reading this story having Pre-ordered it four Months before. A wonderful inspiring retelling of this amazing OT woman’s life and the suffering she experienced which turned into triumph. Review by Penny CALLAGHAN

much more than just a romantic novel, a beautiful account of a woman who prayed for her nation and became the answer to her prayers.

Book as described on site. Arrived in excellent condition.