“And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the Lord before Eli the priest.”
Context:The book of 1 Samuel begins with the story of a barren woman named Hannah who fervently prayed to God for a child. God answered her prayer, and she gave birth to a son named Samuel. In gratitude, Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord, and when he was weaned, she took him to the tabernacle in Shiloh to serve under Eli the priest.
Elkanah’s Return:The verse begins by mentioning Elkanah, Samuel’s father, going back to his home in Ramah. This indicates that Elkanah left Samuel in the care of Eli at the tabernacle, where Samuel served the Lord.
Samuel’s Ministry:The verse further states that the child Samuel ministered before Eli the priest. Despite being young, Samuel had an active role in serving in the tabernacle. He likely performed various tasks and assisted Eli in the duties associated with the worship and sacrifices.
Significance:This verse highlights the faithfulness of Samuel and his family in honouring their vow to dedicate Samuel to the Lord’s service. It also emphasises the trust that Eli, the priest, had in Samuel’s abilities and his willingness to allow the young boy to serve in the sanctuary.
Application:
- Dedication to God: Like Hannah and Elkanah, we can offer our lives, talents, and resources to serve the Lord. It is important to recognise that our lives belong to Him, and we can honour Him through our service and obedience.
- Age is not a barrier: Samuel’s young age did not hinder him from ministering before the Lord. Similarly, we should not underestimate the impact we can make regardless of our age or stage in life. God can use anyone who is willing to serve Him.
- Mentorship and discipleship: Eli served as a mentor to Samuel, guiding and teaching him in his ministry. This reminds us of the importance of investing in the lives of others, especially younger believers, by offering guidance, encouragement, and sharing our experiences with them.
