1 Samuel 2:20
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. And they went unto their own home.
1 Samuel 2:20 (KJV)
Context
This verse sits within 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 His service. The Lord heard her prayer and blessed her with Samuel. After weaning him, she brought him to the tabernacle at Shiloh, where Eli served as high priest. Each year, Hannah and her husband Elkanah returned to offer sacrifices and to bring Samuel a little coat (1 Samuel 2:19). In this setting, Eli pronounced a blessing on Elkanah and Hannah.
Meaning
Eli’s blessing asks that the Lord would give Elkanah and Hannah more children in place of the son they had dedicated to Him. The phrase “the loan which is lent to the Lord” refers to Samuel, whom Hannah had given back to God in fulfillment of her vow. The word “loan” carries the idea of something entrusted to the Lord, not lost but held in sacred trust. The verse ends with Elkanah and Hannah going home, and the immediate context shows that God answered Eli’s blessing: Hannah conceived and bore three sons and two daughters, while Samuel grew before the Lord (1 Samuel 2:21).
Biblical connections
Earlier, in 1 Samuel 1:17, Eli had blessed Hannah by saying, “Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.” When Hannah brought Samuel to the temple, she told Eli, “For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD” (1 Samuel 1:27-28). Eli’s blessing in this verse echoes that language of lending and petition, showing that the priest’s words were not merely a human wish but were answered by God. The narrative also contrasts the faithfulness of Hannah and Elkanah with the corruption of Eli’s sons, which is described later in the chapter.
Application
This verse encourages believers to trust God with their most precious gifts, knowing that He is able to repay abundantly. Hannah gave her only son to the Lord, and God gave her more children in return. What we give to God is not lost but is a sacred trust. The principle of stewardship is clear: when we dedicate something to the Lord, He graciously provides for us. This passage is a model of parental dedication and trust in God’s provision, reminding us that God honors those who honor Him.
Reflection
Consider what you have dedicated to the Lord. Do you trust that He will care for what you have given Him? Hannah’s example shows that giving to God is not a loss but an opportunity for His blessing. Her faithfulness and the joy of dedicating her child to God’s service stand as a quiet testimony to the goodness of the Lord, who sees every act of devotion and responds with grace.
