1 Samuel 1:24
And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. And the child was young.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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When Hannah brings Samuel to the temple, she doesn't just bring the child; she brings everything needed for his dedication and upbringing there. The "three-year-old bull" wasn't just for a sacrifice, but likely represented the calf she'd have needed to raise herself if she kept Samuel home, showing the immense sacrifice and trust she’s placing in God. Even though she’s presenting him, the text gently reminds us "the child was young," emphasizing the depth of her faith in entrusting such a little one to the Lord.
Hannah has just fulfilled her vow to God, dedicating her longed-for son Samuel to His service at the Tabernacle. After weaning him, she brings him to Shiloh with offerings, entrusting him to Eli the priest to live and serve there. This act sets the stage for Samuel's upbringing as a prophet in the very place where God's presence dwelt, a stark contrast to his later years.
Hannah made a bold promise to God in her pain. But what does it look like to actually give your most precious gift back to Him?
Hannah's journey is a powerful picture of selfless faith. After years of barrenness and pouring out her heart to God, she finally conceives and bears a son, Samuel.
The Promise
Her desperate prayer in 1 Samuel 1:11 reveals the depth of her commitment: "O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him back to the LORD all the days of his life..."
The Fulfillment
In our verse, she acts on that promise. She doesn't just keep Samuel; she brings him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. This wasn't a casual drop-off. She brings with her a substantial sacrifice: a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. This was a significant offering, signifying the complete dedication of her son, and her complete trust in God's provision even after giving up her greatest treasure.
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This act demonstrates that true faith isn't just about asking; it's about radical obedience and sacrificial giving when God answers.
Hannah had her miracle son in her arms, yet she brought him to the temple to give him away. What does this say about where she placed her ultimate hope?
Hannah’s story is a profound lesson in trusting God’s sovereignty and provision, even when the path forward seems daunting.
The Pain of Barrenness
For years, Hannah endured the pain of infertility, a source of deep shame and sorrow in her culture. Her rival, Peninnah, taunted her relentlessly, making her suffering even more acute. Hannah’s prayer in chapter 1 was a desperate cry from a broken heart.
The Joy and the Sacrifice
When God answered her prayer with the gift of Samuel, it was an immense joy. Yet, her promise was to give him back to the LORD. The act of bringing him to Shiloh wasn't just fulfilling a vow; it was an act of profound trust.
She entrusted her beloved son, the answer to her prayers, into the care of the temple. This demonstrated that her ultimate security and hope were not in having Samuel physically with her, but in the Lord Himself. She trusted that God, who gave her Samuel, would continue to provide for and protect him, even in separation.
Understand the original words
Shiloh · Hebrew Noun
A sacred location where the Tabernacle was housed during the period of the Judges, serving as the central place of worship and the presence of the Ark of the Covenant.
Hannah's act of bringing young Samuel to Shiloh highlights the deep societal value placed on fulfilling vows and dedicating children to sacred service in ancient Israel, a significant cultural practice of the time.
~1100 BC
Eli Serves as Priest
Eli, a priest of the Lord, presides over the sanctuary at Shiloh, where the Ark of the Covenant is housed.
c. 1100-1050 BC
Elkanah and Hannah's Barrenness
Elkanah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim, has two wives: Hannah, who is barren, and Peninnah, who has children. Elkanah deeply loves Hannah.
c. 1100-1050 BC
Hannah's Vow and Prayer
During a pilgrimage to Shiloh, Hannah weeps bitterly and makes a vow to the Lord: if she is given a son, she will dedicate him to the Lord's service for his entire life.
c. 1095 BC
Birth of Samuel
The Lord remembers Hannah, and she conceives and bears a son, whom she names Samuel, meaning 'Heard of God.'
c. 1092 BC— this verse
Hannah Brings Samuel to Shiloh
After weaning Samuel, Hannah fulfills her vow by bringing him, along with offerings, to the sanctuary at Shiloh to serve the Lord under the priest Eli.
c. 1080 BC
Samuel Grows in Shiloh
Samuel grows up in the presence of the Lord at Shiloh, serving the priests and learning the ways of worship.
This passage mirrors Hannah's dedication of Samuel by showing Mary and Joseph bringing the infant Jesus to the temple for purification rituals.
Exodus 13:11-16This describes the consecration of the firstborn male to God, a practice that Hannah fulfilled with Samuel, dedicating him to lifelong service in the tabernacle.
Numbers 15:3-4This provides the sacrificial context for offerings made to the Lord, similar to the bull, flour, and wine Hannah brought as part of Samuel's dedication.
John 1:14This verse speaks of God's Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, echoing the theme of God's presence made manifest through a specially dedicated child like Samuel.
When Hannah brings Samuel to the temple, she doesn't just bring the child; she brings everything needed for his dedication and upbringing there. The "three-year-old bull" wasn't just for a sacrifice, but likely represented the calf she'd have needed to raise herself if she kept Samuel home, showing the immense sacrifice and trust she’s placing in God. Even though she’s presenting him, the text gently reminds us "the child was young," emphasizing the depth of her faith in entrusting such a little one to the Lord.
Hannah has just fulfilled her vow to God, dedicating her longed-for son Samuel to His service at the Tabernacle. After weaning him, she brings him to Shiloh with offerings, entrusting him to Eli the priest to live and serve there. This act sets the stage for Samuel's upbringing as a prophet in the very place where God's presence dwelt, a stark contrast to his later years.
Hannah has just fulfilled her vow to God, dedicating her longed-for son Samuel to His service at the Tabernacle. After weaning him, she brings him to Shiloh with offerings, entrusting him to Eli the priest to live and serve there. This act sets the stage for Samuel's upbringing as a prophet in the very place where God's presence dwelt, a stark contrast to his later years.
"And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. And the child was young." — When Hannah brings Samuel to the temple, she doesn't just bring the child; she brings everything needed for his dedication and upbringing there. The "three-year-old bull" wasn't just for a sacrific…
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