¹⁷ And God answered Leah’s prayers. She became pregnant again and gave birth to a fifth son for Jacob.

¹³ But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.

²⁶ “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. ²⁷ I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request.

²⁰ and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,^[a] for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”

⁷ Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.

²² Then God remembered Rachel’s plight and answered her prayers by enabling her to have children.

⁶ Rachel named him Dan,^[a] for she said, “God has vindicated me! He has heard my request and given me a son.”