◄ 1 Samuel 1:28 ►
I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD." So they worshiped the LORD there.
Study Bible
Now I dedicate him to the LORD
The Hebrew word for "dedicate" here is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which can also mean "to ask" or "to lend." This reflects the deep spiritual transaction taking place. Hannah is not merely giving Samuel to the LORD; she is fulfilling a vow made in faith. This act of dedication is a profound expression of trust and obedience, acknowledging that Samuel's life is a gift from God and thus belongs to Him. In the ancient Near Eastern context, dedicating a child to a deity was a significant act, often involving lifelong service. Hannah's dedication of Samuel is a testament to her faith and her understanding of God's sovereignty.

For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD
The phrase "for as long as he lives" underscores the permanence of this dedication. The Hebrew word "כָּל־יָמָיו" (kol-yamav) translates to "all his days," indicating a lifelong commitment. This is not a temporary offering but a perpetual one, signifying that Samuel's entire existence is to be in service to God. This lifelong dedication is reminiscent of the Nazirite vow, which involved a special consecration to God. Samuel's life, therefore, becomes a living sacrifice, a continual act of worship and service to the LORD.

So they worshiped the LORD there
The act of worship here is significant. The Hebrew word "וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ" (vayishtachavu) means "to bow down" or "to prostrate oneself," indicating a deep reverence and submission to God. This worship is not just a ritualistic act but a heartfelt response to God's faithfulness and provision. It reflects the communal aspect of worship, as Hannah and her family acknowledge God's role in their lives and the fulfillment of His promises. The location, "there," refers to the tabernacle at Shiloh, a central place of worship for the Israelites, highlighting the importance of communal worship in the life of God's people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hannah
A devout woman who was initially barren but prayed earnestly for a child. She vowed to dedicate her son to the LORD if her prayer was answered.

2. Samuel
The son of Hannah, who was dedicated to the LORD from a young age. He would grow up to be a significant prophet and leader in Israel.

3. Eli
The high priest at Shiloh, where Hannah brought Samuel to be dedicated to the LORD.

4. Shiloh
The religious center of Israel at the time, where the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were located.

5. Dedication
The act of consecrating or setting apart for a sacred purpose. In this context, it refers to Hannah's fulfillment of her vow to God by dedicating Samuel to His service.
Teaching Points
The Power of a Vow
Hannah's account teaches us the seriousness of making vows to God. When we make commitments, we should be prepared to fulfill them, trusting in God's faithfulness.

Dedication to God
Just as Hannah dedicated Samuel, we are called to dedicate our lives and the lives of our children to God's service. This involves intentional teaching and modeling of faith.

Worship as a Response
Hannah's act of worship after dedicating Samuel reminds us that worship is a fitting response to God's faithfulness and blessings in our lives.

Faith in Action
Hannah's faith was not passive; it was demonstrated through her actions. Our faith should likewise be active, leading us to trust and obey God in tangible ways.

God's Sovereignty and Timing
Hannah's account illustrates that God's timing is perfect. We can trust Him to answer our prayers in His way and time, for His purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Hannah's dedication of Samuel challenge us to think about the commitments we make to God? What are some ways we can fulfill our vows to Him today?

2. In what ways can we dedicate our children or the next generation to the LORD, and how can we practically support them in their spiritual growth?

3. How does the theme of dedication in 1 Samuel 1:28 connect with the concept of living a life set apart for God in the New Testament?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in answering a prayer. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Hannah's response of worship?

5. How can we cultivate a faith like Hannah's that trusts in God's sovereignty and timing, even when we face challenges or delays in receiving answers to our prayers?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 22
The account of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac parallels Hannah's dedication of Samuel, highlighting themes of faith and obedience.

Luke 2
Mary and Joseph's presentation of Jesus at the temple echoes Hannah's dedication of Samuel, emphasizing the importance of dedicating children to God.

Proverbs 22:6
The principle of training up a child in the way he should go connects to Hannah's dedication of Samuel, as it sets a foundation for lifelong service to God.
Sermons
A Mother's Formative Influence on the Characters of Her ChildrenFootsteps of Truth.1 Samuel 1:28
Samuel, the Child-ChristianC. H. Parkhurst, D. D.1 Samuel 1:28
The Connection Between God and Children to be CultivatedW. G. Blaikie, D. D.1 Samuel 1:28
The Dedication of SamuelT. Guthrie, D. D.1 Samuel 1:28
Vows FulfilledW. G. Blaikie, D. D.1 Samuel 1:28
Samuel's Birth and InfancyB. Dale 1 Samuel 1:19-28
Of Infant Baptism and of Childlike ChildrenDean Goulburn.1 Samuel 1:24-28
The Duty of Presenting Children to God in the Way of Religious EducationD. Wilson.1 Samuel 1:24-28
A Prayer and its IssueF. B. Meyer, B. A.1 Samuel 1:27-28
A Praying MotherR. R. Booth, D. D.1 Samuel 1:27-28
A Praying MotherMonday Club Sermons1 Samuel 1:27-28
Asked and Heard of the LordG. B. Ryley.1 Samuel 1:27-28
Children and CheapnessJ. H. Hollowell.1 Samuel 1:27-28
HannahW. Jay.1 Samuel 1:27-28
Obtaining the Greatly DesiredH. O. Mackey.1 Samuel 1:27-28
Parentage and PietyR. Steele.1 Samuel 1:27-28
Prayer AnsweredHelen Plumptre.1 Samuel 1:27-28
Prayer AnsweredW. G. Blaikie, D. D.1 Samuel 1:27-28
Prayer Exemplified in the Case of HannahT. E. Hankinson, M. A.1 Samuel 1:27-28
Spiritual TransmutationsJ. P. Gledstone.1 Samuel 1:27-28
The Duty of Intercessory PrayerH. Richard.1 Samuel 1:27-28
People
Eli, Elihu, Elkanah, Ephah, Hannah, Hophni, Jeroham, Peninnah, Phinehas, Samuel, Tohu, Zuph
Places
Ramah, Ramathaim-zophim, Shiloh
Topics
Boweth, Caused, Dedicated, Granted, Lent, Lord's, Worship, Worshiped, Worshipped
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 1:28

     8626   worship, places

1 Samuel 1:9-28

     5745   women

1 Samuel 1:19-28

     8629   worship, times

1 Samuel 1:21-28

     7775   prophets, lives

1 Samuel 1:27-28

     8436   giving, of possessions

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 Prayer

Prayer 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

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