“And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.”
This verse is part of the story of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. To fully understand the significance of this verse, let’s explore the context:and the events leading up to it.
Samuel 1:1-20 provides the background of the story. Hannah was one of the two wives of Elkanah, a man from Ramathaim-zophim. However, Hannah was barren and longed for a child. Every year, they would go up to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord.
During one of these visits, Hannah was deeply distressed and prayed earnestly to the Lord, pouring out her heart’s desire for a child. In her prayer, she made a vow to dedicate the child to the Lord if He would grant her request. Eli, the high priest at the time, saw her praying silently, but he misunderstood her actions and thought she was drunk.
After Eli rebuked her, Hannah clarified that she was pouring out her soul before the Lord and shared her longing for a child. Eli blessed her, and she left with her spirits lifted. In due course, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel, which means “heard by God.”
In 1 Samuel 1:24-28, we come to the verse in question. When Samuel was weaned, which was likely around the age of three, Hannah fulfilled her vow to the Lord. She prepared a sacrifice, including a three-year-old bull, and brought Samuel to the house of the Lord in Shiloh to present him to Eli.
The act of sacrificing the bull and presenting Samuel to Eli served multiple purposes. Firstly, it was an act of fulfillment of Hannah’s vow. She acknowledged that Samuel was a gift from God, and she was returning him to the Lord, dedicating him to a life of service to God.
Secondly, this act represented Hannah’s faithfulness and obedience to God. She kept her word and demonstrated her devotion to the Lord by giving up something precious to her. Hannah’s act of dedicating Samuel was an act of worship and a demonstration of her commitment to God.
Lastly, by bringing Samuel to Eli, Hannah entrusted her son’s spiritual upbringing to the high priest, who held a significant role in the spiritual life of Israel. This act also symbolized Samuel’s transition from his mother’s care to serving in the house of the Lord.
The story of Hannah and Samuel serves as an inspiring example of faith, perseverance, and the power of prayer. It reminds us of the importance of dedicating our lives and our loved ones to God, trusting in His faithfulness, and remaining steadfast in our commitment to Him.
