(1) Elkanah was a supportive husband. He did not make the vow to God about Samuel, but he honored the vow Hannah made and fulfilled the vow v.21. It was just because Hannah told him that Samuel was whom she asked from the LORD v.20. Of course, he knew that without a miracle Samuel would not be born.
(NAC) The passage stresses Elkanah’s exemplary piety. He faithfully led his family to participate in annual Torah-prescribed pilgrimage festivals (Deut 12:5–7) and voluntarily made vows and then fulfilled them (Num 30:2; Deut 23:21). Although the Torah explicitly gave him the right to nullify Hannah’s vow regarding Samuel’s service in the Shiloh sanctuary (cf. Num 30:10–15), he chose instead to confirm her vow to the Lord, even though it meant losing the firstborn son from his beloved wife’s womb
Hannah knew Samuel belonged to God very clearly and thus she said in v.27-28
1:27 I prayed for this boy, and the LORD has given me the request that I asked of him. 1:28 Now I dedicate him to the LORD. From this time on he is dedicated to the LORD.” Then they worshiped the LORD there.
Reflections: If you know clearly what you have comes from God what will be your response? If giving up what you have is not easy how did Elkanah and Hannah encourage you?
(2) The text repeatedly mentioned that Samuel was given by the LORD v.19, 20, 23, and 27. Samuel became the key person in the history of Israel. Not only did he lead the country to fight against the Philistines, he also set up Saul as the first king and anointed David as their second king. The LORD not only gave Hannah a son He also gave Israel their leader.
Reflections: Throughout history God gave leaders like Samuel, and Jesus through miraculous birth. God protected Moses when he was born and He protected David when Saul was chasing after him. God knew the importance of good leaders and He prepared them for His people. Do you pray for our leaders as what the Scripture told us to do? On the other hand, let us also ask God for a good leader. It is especially important now than ever before.
Audrey
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