How does 1 Samuel 2:20 demonstrate God's blessing through Eli's words to Hannah? Framing the Scene • Hannah had surrendered Samuel to lifelong service at Shiloh (1 Samuel 1:24–28). • Each year she and Elkanah returned to worship—and to see the little boy she’d lent to the Lord. • At those annual visits, Scripture says, “Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife” (1 Samuel 2:20). Eli’s Blessing Spoken “May the LORD give you children by this woman in place of the one she has dedicated to the LORD.” • As Israel’s high priest, Eli represents God’s covenant presence. • His words carry more than polite well-wishing; they are a priestly, authoritative invocation of God’s favor (cf. Numbers 6:22-27). • The blessing pinpoints God as the Source—“May the LORD give.” Eli is not granting children; he is calling on the Almighty who opens and closes the womb (Genesis 30:22). Recognition of God’s Role • Eli openly acknowledges Hannah’s sacrifice: she “has dedicated [Samuel] to the LORD.” • The request is that God replace what Hannah yielded—a direct nod to the promise that obedience invites divine recompense (1 Samuel 2:30; Luke 6:38). • The blessing underscores the principle seen throughout Scripture: when something is given to God, He multiplies it back (Malachi 3:10; Proverbs 11:24-25). Echoes of Hannah’s Faith • Hannah’s earlier prayer was answered with Samuel; now the priest’s words reinforce that God’s generosity has not run dry. • Her own song celebrated God’s power to reverse circumstances—“The barren has borne seven” (1 Samuel 2:5). Eli’s blessing becomes the human affirmation of that divine pattern. Fruit of the Blessing • Immediately after recording Eli’s words, the narrative testifies: “The LORD attended to Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters” (1 Samuel 2:21). • Five additional children follow the singular son she had surrendered—a tangible sign that God’s blessing, once spoken, was faithfully performed (Isaiah 55:11; James 1:17). • Eli’s pronouncement thus operates as both prophecy and promise, revealing God’s willingness to bless beyond the initial answer to prayer. Key Takeaways for Today • Words spoken in alignment with God’s will carry weight (Proverbs 18:21). • God delights to honor sacrificial faith with abundant provision (Hebrews 11:6). • Priestly or pastoral blessings, when rooted in Scripture, can become channels of divine grace, just as Eli’s was for Hannah. |
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