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)
Hannah's sacrifice isn't just the animals and grain; it's bringing Samuel to the Tabernacle after he's been weaned. The seemingly simple statement "And the child was young" emphasizes the profound maturity of Hannah's faith, giving back to God the son she so desperately prayed for, even though he was still a little boy.
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)
After Hannah finally conceived and gave birth to Samuel, she kept her promise to dedicate him to the Lord. She waited until he was weaned, a significant milestone, before taking him and offerings to the sanctuary at Shiloh to present him to Eli, the priest. This act fulfills her desperate prayer and commitment made in a time of deep sorrow and longing.
Hannah made a desperate plea in her darkest hour. Now, years later, she's following through. What does this tell us about commitment?
A Promise Made in Pain
Hannah's journey to Shiloh isn't just a trip; it's the fulfillment of a sacred vow made when she was deeply distressed (1 Samuel 1:10-11). She promised God, "if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me, and give to your servant a son, then I will give him back to the LORD all the days of his life..."
A Child Offered Back to God
Bringing Samuel to the house of the LORD signifies more than just dedicating him. It means Hannah is relinquishing her most precious possession, the son she longed for, back to God's service. This wasn't a casual act, but a profound surrender of her heart's desire to God's will.
Hannah didn't just bring Samuel; she brought offerings too. What do these specific gifts reveal about her heart?
More Than Just a Son
The passage details not only the offering of Samuel but also significant material gifts: a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine.
Symbols of Devotion
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Together, these offerings paint a picture of a worshipper returning to God with immense gratitude, acknowledging His provision and consecrating both her son and her resources to Him.
The text ends by noting, "And the child was young." Why is this detail important after all the sacrifice and devotion?
Acknowledging the Journey Ahead
Samuel is described as "young" at the point of his dedication. This simple phrase carries a lot of weight. It means Hannah's act of faith wasn't just about the joyous moment of receiving a son or fulfilling a vow; it was about trusting God for the entire future of this child.
Faith in the Unfolding Story
This wasn't the end of the story but the beginning of a new chapter. Hannah surrendered Samuel to God when he was still very dependent, highlighting the ongoing nature of faith. It underscores that devotion to God isn't a one-time event but a continuous process of trusting Him with every stage of life, even when the path ahead is uncertain and the child is still small.
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 Samuel to Shiloh highlights the deep reverence and commitment expected in ancient Israelite child-rearing, where children could be dedicated to God's service from a very young age.
c. 1100 BC
Israelites Settle in Canaan
Following the Exodus and conquest, the twelve tribes of Israel establish their territories in the promised land, the Promised Land.
c. 1100-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
This era is marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance, with various leaders called Judges guiding the tribes.
c. 1080 BC
Ark of the Covenant at Shiloh
The Ark of the Covenant, housing the presence of God, is located at Shiloh, a central religious site for the tribes.
c. 1070 BC
Hannah Vows to Give Son to God
Elkanah's wife, Hannah, who is barren, prays fervently for a son and vows to dedicate him to the LORD's service if he is born.
c. 1068 BC
Birth of Samuel
Hannah conceives and gives birth to a son, whom she names Samuel, meaning 'Heard of God'.
c. 1065 BC— this verse
Samuel Presented at Shiloh
After weaning, Hannah brings young Samuel, along with sacrifices, to Shiloh to fulfill her vow, leaving him to serve the LORD under Eli the priest.
This passage speaks to God's blessing of food and water, mirroring Hannah's abundant offering after Samuel was weaned and provided for.
Luke 2:22This passage shows a similar devotion, where Jesus was presented at the temple after His mother's purification, highlighting the practice of dedicating children to God.
1 Samuel 2:18This passage shows Samuel, even as a young boy, ministering before the Lord in a linen ephod, illustrating the fulfillment of Hannah's vow and Samuel's early service.
Numbers 15:1-12This passage details the specific instructions for grain and drink offerings accompanying burnt and peace offerings, matching the components of Hannah's sacrificial gift.
Hannah's sacrifice isn't just the animals and grain; it's bringing Samuel to the Tabernacle after he's been weaned. The seemingly simple statement "And the child was young" emphasizes the profound maturity of Hannah's faith, giving back to God the son she so desperately prayed for, even though he was still a little boy.
After Hannah finally conceived and gave birth to Samuel, she kept her promise to dedicate him to the Lord. She waited until he was weaned, a significant milestone, before taking him and offerings to the sanctuary at Shiloh to present him to Eli, the priest. This act fulfills her desperate prayer and commitment made in a time of deep sorrow and longing.
After Hannah finally conceived and gave birth to Samuel, she kept her promise to dedicate him to the Lord. She waited until he was weaned, a significant milestone, before taking him and offerings to the sanctuary at Shiloh to present him to Eli, the priest. This act fulfills her desperate prayer and commitment made in a time of deep sorrow and longing.
"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." — Hannah's sacrifice isn't just the animals and grain; it's bringing Samuel to the Tabernacle after he's been weaned. The seemingly simple statement "And the child was young" emphasizes the profound…
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Last reviewed October 2026