Once she had weaned him, Hannah took the boy with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. Though the boy was still young, she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. Once she had weaned himThe phrase "Once she had weaned him" indicates a significant milestone in the life of Samuel and his mother, Hannah. In ancient Israel, weaning typically occurred around the age of three, marking the transition from infancy to early childhood. This was a time when a child was considered more independent and less reliant on the mother for sustenance. The Hebrew root for "weaned" is "גָּמַל" (gamal), which can also mean to deal fully or to recompense. This reflects Hannah's fulfillment of her vow to the Lord, as she had promised to dedicate Samuel to God's service once he was weaned. This act of dedication is a profound testament to Hannah's faith and commitment to God, as she willingly gives up her long-awaited son to fulfill her vow. Hannah took the boy with her The phrase "Hannah took the boy with her" highlights the personal and sacrificial nature of Hannah's journey. The Hebrew word for "took" is "לָקַח" (laqach), which implies a deliberate and purposeful action. Hannah's decision to take Samuel to the house of the LORD is a demonstration of her obedience and devotion. It is a poignant moment, as she is not only fulfilling her vow but also entrusting her beloved son to the care and service of the Lord. This act of faith is a powerful example of surrendering one's most cherished blessings back to God. along with a three-year-old bull The offering of a "three-year-old bull" is significant in the context of ancient Israelite worship. The bull, being a valuable and substantial sacrifice, symbolizes the seriousness and sincerity of Hannah's vow. In the Hebrew tradition, the number three often represents completeness and perfection, suggesting that this offering is whole and complete. The bull is a symbol of strength and service, reflecting the dedication of Samuel to the Lord's work. This sacrificial act underscores the depth of Hannah's gratitude and her recognition of God's faithfulness in answering her prayers. an ephah of flour The "ephah of flour" is a substantial amount, approximately equivalent to 22 liters or about half a bushel. In the context of offerings, flour was used in grain offerings, which were expressions of thanksgiving and devotion. The Hebrew word "אֵיפָה" (ephah) indicates a measure of abundance and generosity. Hannah's offering of an ephah of flour signifies her abundant gratitude and her desire to honor God with the best of what she has. It is a reminder of the importance of giving back to God from the blessings He has bestowed upon us. and a skin of wine The "skin of wine" was a common container for liquids in ancient times, made from animal skins. Wine, in biblical times, was often associated with joy, celebration, and covenantal blessings. The Hebrew word for "wine" is "יַיִן" (yayin), which is frequently used in the context of offerings and feasts. By including wine in her offering, Hannah is not only fulfilling the requirements of a sacrificial offering but also expressing her joy and gratitude for God's provision. It symbolizes the joy of answered prayer and the celebration of God's faithfulness. and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh The act of bringing Samuel "to the house of the LORD at Shiloh" is a significant moment in the narrative. Shiloh was the central place of worship for the Israelites before the temple was built in Jerusalem. It was here that the tabernacle was located, and where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. The Hebrew word "שִׁלוֹ" (Shiloh) can mean "place of rest" or "peace," reflecting the spiritual significance of this location. By bringing Samuel to Shiloh, Hannah is placing him in the presence of the Lord, dedicating him to a life of service and worship. This act is a fulfillment of her vow and a testament to her faithfulness. Though the boy was still young The phrase "Though the boy was still young" emphasizes Samuel's tender age at the time of his dedication. The Hebrew word for "young" is "נַעַר" (na'ar), which can refer to a child or a young servant. Despite his youth, Samuel is set apart for a divine purpose, illustrating that God can use anyone, regardless of age, for His work. This highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and His ability to work through those who are humble and obedient. Hannah's willingness to dedicate Samuel at such a young age is a powerful example of trust in God's plan and purpose. Persons / Places / Events 1. HannahA devout woman who prayed earnestly for a child and vowed to dedicate him to the Lord. Her faith and commitment are central to this passage. 2. SamuelThe child born to Hannah, who would become a significant prophet and judge in Israel. His dedication to the Lord begins in this verse. 3. ShilohThe religious center of Israel at the time, where the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were located. It is the place where Hannah fulfills her vow. 4. The House of the LORDRefers to the tabernacle at Shiloh, the central place of worship for the Israelites. 5. The OfferingHannah brings a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine as part of her offering, signifying her gratitude and dedication to God. Teaching Points Faithful Fulfillment of VowsHannah's dedication of Samuel teaches the importance of keeping promises made to God, even when they require personal sacrifice. The Role of Sacrifice in WorshipThe offerings Hannah brings underscore the principle that true worship involves giving back to God from what He has blessed us with. Parenting with PurposeHannah's actions remind us of the importance of raising children with a focus on their spiritual development and dedication to God. Trust in God's TimingHannah's account encourages believers to trust in God's timing and faithfulness, even when answers to prayers are delayed. Community Worship and CommitmentBringing Samuel to Shiloh highlights the importance of community worship and the role of the faith community in nurturing spiritual growth. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hannah's fulfillment of her vow to God challenge us in our own commitments and promises to Him? 2. In what ways can we incorporate the principle of sacrificial giving in our worship today? 3. How can parents today follow Hannah's example in dedicating their children to the Lord? 4. What can we learn from Hannah's patience and trust in God's timing when facing our own challenges? 5. How does the community aspect of worship at Shiloh inform our understanding of the church's role in spiritual growth and support? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 21The account of Sarah and Isaac parallels Hannah's account, highlighting themes of miraculous birth and dedication to God. Luke 2Mary and Joseph's presentation of Jesus at the temple echoes Hannah's dedication of Samuel, emphasizing the importance of dedicating children to God. Numbers 15The offerings brought by Hannah align with the prescribed offerings in the Mosaic Law, showing her adherence to God's commands. People Eli, Elihu, Elkanah, Ephah, Hannah, Hophni, Jeroham, Peninnah, Phinehas, Samuel, Tohu, ZuphPlaces Ramah, Ramathaim-zophim, ShilohTopics Along, Although, Bottle, Boy, Bringeth, Bull, Bullocks, Bulls, Causeth, Child, Ephah, Flask, Flour, Full, Jug, Meal, Ox, Shiloh, Skin, Three-year, Three-year-old, Weaned, Wine, YouthDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 1:24 4544 wine 4548 wineskin 4615 bull 5234 bottle 1 Samuel 1:9-28 5745 women 1 Samuel 1:19-28 8629 worship, times 1 Samuel 1:21-28 7775 prophets, lives Library Of Self-Annihilation Of Self-Annihilation Supplication and sacrifice are comprehended in prayer, which, according to S. John, is "an incense, the smoke whereof ascendeth unto God;" therefore it is said in the Apocalypse that "unto the Angel was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints'' (Chap. viii. 3). Prayer is the effusion of the heart in the Presence of God: "I have poured out my soul before God" saith the mother of Samuel. (1 Sam. i. 15) The prayer of the wise men at the feet of … Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of PrayerPrayer and Sacrifice Explained by the Similitude of a Perfume --Our Annihilation in this Sacrifice --Solidity and Fruitfulness of this Prayer as Set Forth in The Prayer ought to be both petition and sacrifice. Prayer, according to the testimony of St John, is an incense, whose perfume rises to God. Therefore it is said in the Revelation (chap. viii. 3), that an angel held a censer, which contained the incense of the prayers of saints. Prayer is an outpouring of the heart in the presence of God. "I have poured out my soul before the Lord," said the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. i. 15). Thus the prayers of the Magi at the feet of the infant Jesus in the stable of … Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents Home Dedication. "The rose was rich in bloom on Sharon's plain, When a young mother with her first born thence Went up to Zion, for the boy was vowed Unto the Temple-service; by the hand She led him, and her silent soul, the while, Oft as the dewy laughter of his eye Met her sweet serious glance, rejoiced to think That aught so pure, so beautiful, was hers, To bring before her God!" Beautiful thought, and thrice beautiful deed,--fresh from the pure fount of maternal piety! The Hebrew mother consecrating her first-born … Samuel Philips—The Christian Home John Newton 1Sam 1:10,18 … John Newton—Olney Hymns Hwochow Women's Bible Training School COURSE OF STUDY FIRST TERM Book of Genesis. Gospel according to St. Luke or St. Mark. Acts of the Apostles, chapters i. to ix. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible." Reading Lessons, with necessary Explanation and Writing of Chinese Character. Arithmetic. Singing and Memorisation of Hymns. SECOND TERM Book of Exodus, Numbers, and 1 Samuel i. to xvi. The Gospel according to St. John. The Epistle of St James. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible"--(continued). Reading … A. Mildred Cable—The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's The Love of the Holy Spirit in Us. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not."--Matt. xxvii. 37. The Scripture teaches not only that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and with Him Love, but also that He sheds abroad that Love in our hearts. This shedding abroad does not refer to the coming of the Holy Spirit's Person, for a person can not be shed abroad. He comes, takes possession, and dwells in us; but that which is shed abroad … Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit The Prophet Jonah. It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, … Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical … Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible Divers Matters. I. Beth-cerem, Nehemiah 3:14. "The stones, as well of the altar, as of the ascent to the altar, were from the valley of Beth-cerem, which they digged out beneath the barren land. And thence they are wont to bring whole stones, upon which the working iron came not." The fathers of the traditions, treating concerning the blood of women's terms, reckon up five colours of it; among which that, "which is like the water of the earth, out of the valley of Beth-cerem."--Where the Gloss writes thus, "Beth-cerem … John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah. There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly … John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The King --Continued. The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not … Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David Nature of Covenanting. A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, … John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also- OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is … John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Samuel Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, … John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 1:24 NIV1 Samuel 1:24 NLT1 Samuel 1:24 ESV1 Samuel 1:24 NASB1 Samuel 1:24 KJV
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