“And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD.”
This verse is part of the story of Hannah, a devout woman who had been barren and longed for a child. She made a vow to the Lord that if He granted her a son, she would dedicate him to the service of God. The Lord heard Hannah’s prayer and blessed her with a son named Samuel.
In this particular verse, Eli, the high priest at that time, blessed Hannah and her husband, Elkanah. The blessing involves the phrase, “The Lord give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the Lord.” Let’s break down the key elements of this verse for a deeper understanding.
Blessing:Eli, as the high priest, pronounces a blessing upon Elkanah and Hannah. In the Bible, blessings often express God’s favour, protection, and provision. By bestowing a blessing, Eli is invoking God’s divine favour upon this couple.
“The Lord give thee seed of this woman”:This phrase refers to Hannah’s desire to have children. It recognises her past barrenness and acknowledges that God has answered her prayer by granting her a child. Eli prays for God to bless Hannah with more children, to multiply her descendants.
“For the loan which is lent to the Lord”:This phrase may seem a bit puzzling at first. It implies that Hannah’s child, Samuel, is considered a loan given to the Lord. Hannah’s commitment to dedicate her son to the service of God is seen as a loan to the Lord Himself. This highlights the extraordinary devotion and faithfulness of Hannah, who is willing to give back the gift God had granted her.
Returning home:After receiving Eli’s blessing, Elkanah and Hannah returned to their own home. This suggests that they resumed their normal lives, while Hannah remained committed to fulfilling her vow to dedicate Samuel to God’s service when he was old enough.
Overall, this verse illustrates the faithfulness of Hannah and her willingness to fulfil her vow. It also highlights the importance of recognising God’s provision in our lives and dedicating the blessings we receive back to Him. It encourages us to trust in God’s faithfulness, even in difficult circumstances, knowing that He hears our prayers and answers them according to His will. The story of Samuel continues to unfold in the subsequent chapters of 1 Samuel, showcasing God’s faithfulness and His calling upon Samuel’s life as a prophet and judge in Israel.
