1 Samuel 1:22-28: The Faith of Hannah
The Commitment of Hannah
In 1 Samuel 1:22-28, we find the continuation of the story of Hannah, a woman who was childless and prayed fervently to God for a son. In the previous verses, we saw how Hannah made a vow to God, promising to dedicate her son to the Lord's service if He answered her prayer. In this passage, we will see how Hannah kept her promise and the lessons we can learn from her faith.
The Fulfillment of the Promise
1 Samuel 1:22-23 The man Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the yearly sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow. But Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, "After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always."
In these verses, we see that Hannah did not accompany her husband Elkanah to Shiloh for the yearly sacrifice. Instead, she stayed behind, waiting for the time when her son Samuel would be weaned. This demonstrates Hannah's commitment to her vow, as she was determined to fulfill her promise to God.
The Presentation of Samuel
1 Samuel 1:24-25 When the boy was old enough, Hannah took him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh, bringing along a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. Though Hannah had nursed Samuel, she took him to Shiloh, for she had made a vow.
In these verses, we see Hannah fulfilling her vow, presenting Samuel to the Lord at Shiloh. This was a significant moment, as Hannah had waited for years to fulfill her promise to God.
The Prayer of Hannah
1 Samuel 1:26-28 "As surely as you live, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord. I prayed for this boy, and the Lord has given him to me. Now I, in turn, give him to the Lord—for as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the Lord." And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for."
In these verses, we see Hannah's prayer, in which she acknowledges God's faithfulness and dedicates Samuel to the Lord's service. This prayer demonstrates Hannah's trust in God and her willingness to surrender her desires to His will.
Lessons from Hannah's Faith
Hannah's story teaches us several important lessons about faith and commitment:
- Faithfulness to God: Hannah's commitment to her vow demonstrates her faithfulness to God, even when it was difficult.
- Trust in God: Hannah trusted God to fulfill her desire for a son, and she was willing to surrender her son to His service.
- Sacrifice: Hannah's decision to dedicate Samuel to the Lord's service shows her willingness to sacrifice her own desires for the sake of God's will.
In conclusion, Hannah's story inspires us to have faith in God, trusting that He will fulfill our desires according to His will. Her commitment to her vow and her willingness to surrender her son to God's service are examples of the kind of faith that honors God.
