Read 1 Samuel 1.
The times of the Judges in Israel were repeatedly labeled as "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 21:25). Yet, the Bible provides occasional stories of those who stood in contrast to their culture and who followed the LORD wholeheartedly. One was Ruth. Now, we learn about the last Judge of Israel, Samuel.
Elkanah and his family worshipped God. Hannah knew her husband loved her, but the emptiness she felt from having no children became excruciatingly painful. To add insult to injury, the other wife proved fertile and used it to emotionally and verbally abuse Hannah.
As a godly woman, Hannah went to be alone with the Lord and pour out her heart to Him. In her prayer, she made a promise. If He would grant her a son, she would dedicate him to God's service with a Nazarite vow. Samson was dedicated before birth with the same vow. The High Priest, Eli, saw her in such distress but heard no sound. He thought she was drunk. When he realized his error, he gave assurance that she would receive the answer to her prayer.
By the next year when Elkanah's family arrived for the annual sacrifice, God had given them a son. It is believed that Samuel was probably three years of age by the time Hannah presented him to Eli.
While it is difficult for us to even think about giving up a child, especially at such a young age, Hannah's statement in verse 27 is on the hearts of every Christian parent. "For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him."
1. Believing parents pray for their children even before they are born.
2. The LORD
grants children to parents. They are not biological accidents. They
belong to God.
Psalm 127:3-"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is his reward."
3. The LORD
lends children to a mother and father as a stewardship.
Ephesians
6:4-"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in
the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
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