“And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.”
Context:The book of 1 Samuel begins with the story of Hannah, who was barren and deeply distressed because she was unable to have children. In her desperation, she fervently prayed to the Lord at the tabernacle in Shiloh, promising to dedicate her child to His service if she were granted a son. God heard her prayer, and she gave birth to a son named Samuel. After weaning him, she fulfilled her vow and presented Samuel to the priest, Eli, to be raised in service to the Lord.
God’s visitation and blessing:In 1 Samuel 2:21, we see that God visited Hannah, which signifies that He answered her prayer and intervened in her life. The phrase “visited Hannah” suggests God’s active involvement and intervention, bringing about a miraculous change in her circumstances. It emphasizes the personal attention and care God has for His people.
Fulfilled promise and abundant blessing:God’s visitation to Hannah resulted in the fulfillment of His promise to her. Hannah, who was previously barren, conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. This demonstrates God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises. It also serves as a reminder that God is not limited by human limitations or circumstances. He can turn our sorrow into joy and bring forth blessings beyond our expectations.
The growth of Samuel:The verse concludes by stating that Samuel grew before the Lord. This phrase indicates that Samuel not only physically grew but also spiritually developed under the watchful care of God’s presence and guidance. It highlights Samuel’s unique role and destiny as a prophet and judge of Israel, which is further revealed in the subsequent chapters of 1 Samuel.
Application:Trusting in God’s faithfulness:Hannah’s story teaches us to trust in God’s faithfulness even in difficult circumstances. Just as God fulfilled His promise to Hannah, He can fulfill His promises in our lives as well. We should continue to seek Him in prayer and trust that He will answer according to His perfect timing.
Dedication and surrender:Hannah’s act of dedicating Samuel to the Lord reminds us of the importance of surrendering our lives and loved ones to God’s service. It involves recognizing that our children, gifts, and blessings ultimately belong to God, and we should be willing to offer them back to Him for His purposes.
Growing in the presence of God:Like Samuel, we should seek to grow in the presence of the Lord. By spending time in His Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers, we can nurture our spiritual growth and develop a deeper relationship with God.
God’s visitation and intervention:This verse encourages us to have faith that God can visit us and intervene in our lives. No matter the circumstances we face, we can trust that God sees, hears, and cares about our needs. He has the power to bring about transformation and bless us abundantly.
Remember to study the surrounding verses and chapters to gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural context, as well as the overall narrative of 1 Samuel.
