“And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.”
Context:The book of 1 Samuel opens with the story of a woman named Hannah who was barren and deeply desired to have a child. She prayed fervently to God at the tabernacle in Shiloh, and God answered her prayer by granting her a son named Samuel. This verse takes place after Samuel was weaned, and Hannah brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh.
Symbolic Meaning:This verse holds significance on several levels. First, it symbolises Hannah’s fulfilment of her vow. In her prayer to God, Hannah promised that if He would grant her a son, she would give him back to the Lord to serve Him all the days of his life (1 Samuel 1:11). By bringing Samuel to the house of the Lord in Shiloh, Hannah fulfils her vow and demonstrates her faithfulness to God.
Sacrifice and Worship:Hannah’s offering to the Lord reveals her heart of gratitude and devotion. She brings three bullocks, which were likely intended as sacrifices to be offered to God. This act of sacrifice emphasises Hannah’s recognition that Samuel was a gift from God, and she dedicates him back to the Lord.
Faithfulness:It’s worth noting that Hannah brings Samuel to the house of the Lord in Shiloh even though he was still young. This demonstrates her trust in God’s faithfulness to fulfil her promise and her confidence that He would provide for Samuel’s care and upbringing.
Foreshadowing:This verse foreshadows Samuel’s future role as a significant prophet and leader in Israel. Samuel would go on to anoint both Saul and David as kings of Israel, and he played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s history.
