Fulfilling Her Promise

I Samuel 1:19-2:11

“And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.  Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.” (I Samuel 1:19-20)

Hannah had prayed a sincere prayer from her heart, then gone home trusting God.  God answered her prayer and a few months later she had a son she called Samuel, or “heard of God” because God heard her prayer.  As James 5:16 declares, “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

“And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.  But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever. 

And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word.” (I Samuel 1:21-23a) 

The next year, when Elkanah went to the Tabernacle to sacrifice, Samuel was only a couple of months old, and Hannah elected not to go until Samuel was old enough feed himself because she had promised to give him to God.  As soon as he was able she would place him at the temple to serve God forever.  Elkanah loved both Hannah and the Lord and agreed to her promise, only reminding her that she must not go back on her commitment.

“So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.  And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.  And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.” (I Samuel 1:23b-25) 

When Samuel was about two Hannah brought him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh along with three young bulls and a meat offering of flour and wine.  The typical Nazarite vow required three lambs for a sin offering, a burnt offering, and a peace offering as well as a meat offering of bread and wine.  Hannah went far beyond that, offering three bulls  and a large quantity of flour instead of just enough for one or two loaves.

“And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.  For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. 

And he worshipped the LORD there.” (I Samuel 1:26-27)

Hannah reminded Eli of his rebuking her for drinking, explaining that Samuel was what she had prayed for, and that she was lending him to the Lord for life in thanks giving.  After years of judging Israel and watching a steady turning away, it was a blessing to him to see someone who really trusted and believed in God.  Her attitude cause Eli to worship God also.  Galatians 6:6 commands “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”  It is not a surprise many pastors become discouraged when they only hear about people’s problems and failures.  People get depressed listening to the news because it is nearly always bad.  Preachers are no different.  They need to hear about the blessings as well.

“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” (I Samuel 2:1-2) 

Hannah then prayed a prayer of praise, thanking God for what he had done.  Peninah, Elkanah’s other wife had constantly used Hannah’s childlessness to put her down implying she was some how less than normal.  By giving Samuel, God had destroyed that claim.  He had done it simply because she believed him, and him alone.

“Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.  The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.  They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. 

The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.  The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them. 

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.  The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.” (I Samuel 2:3-10)

She then prayed about the arrogance of people who do not consider God relevant.  It is God who enables them to succeed or who causes them to fail.  He has the power to stop the greatest person and to make the weakest succeed.  He will not always ignore those who rise against him, nor will he always allow those who serve him to be abused.  She is expressing the hope and expectation of every believer in God.

“And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.” (I Samuel 2:11)

When Hannah and Elkanah returned home, they left Samuel with Eli to help in serving the Lord, although he was extremely young.