by Jerry Senn
“And she made a vow, saying, ‘if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head’” (1 Samuel 1:11).
As a result of this vow, Samuel was born to Hannah and husband Elkanah, in answer to her heartfelt plea for a child. In due time she followed through on her commitment to “give her son…to the Lord for all the days of his life.” Samuel became a significant leader of God’s people, anointing the first and second kings of Israel, Saul and David. He also founded the first “college” of prophets (1 Sam 19:19,20).
Samuel was also a Levite and so was devoted as a Nazarite and led a sacred childhood. It is not made clear in the text but Hannah probably had consulted her husband with her intention, since he seems favorable and helpful as the story unfolds.
In commenting on this story, Matthew Henry makes an interesting point. “Parents have a right to dedicate their children to God, as living sacrifices and spiritual priests; and an obligation is thereby laid upon them to serve God faithfully all the days of their life. It is very proper, when we are in pursuit of any mercy, to bind our own souls with a bond, that if God gives it [to] us, we will devote our own souls with a bond to honour, and cheerfully use it in his service. Not that hereby we can pretend to merit the gift, but thus we are qualified for it, and for the comfort of it. In hope of mercy, let us promise duty.”
Hannah’s situation was different from ours in some ways. We no longer have priests and temples. Samuel was a unique person raised up by God at a key time in Israel’s history to help bridge the gap between Judges and the Kings. Samuel would prepare Israel for the line of kings from whom would come Jesus, the Messiah.
The story illustrates for us in a beautiful and touching way what it means to dedicate something to God in our lives. Hannah’s vow is worthy of recognition, honor and praise as a woman of God.
Read the story in 1 Samuel 1:1-28.