How does 1 Samuel 2:20 connect to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises? Setting the Scene • Israel is in the period of the judges, spiritually adrift (Judges 21:25). • Hannah’s barrenness ends when God answers her plea for a son (1 Samuel 1:19–20). • She vows to give that son, Samuel, back to the LORD for lifelong service (1 Samuel 1:11, 28). • Each year, Hannah and Elkanah return to Shiloh to worship and bring Samuel a new robe (1 Samuel 2:18–19). The Verse at a Glance “Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, ‘May the LORD give you children by this woman to replace the one she has given to the LORD.’ Then they would go home.” (1 Samuel 2:20) What Had God Promised? • God’s covenant with Abraham included fruitfulness for his descendants (Genesis 17:6). • God’s law underscored that obedience brings blessing, including “the fruit of your womb” (Deuteronomy 28:4). • Hannah personally experienced God’s promise to “hear the cry of the afflicted” (Psalm 10:17). How 1 Samuel 2:20 Displays Faithfulness 1. Fulfillment beyond the first request – Hannah asked for one son; God planned a larger blessing (1 Samuel 2:21). 2. Faith honored by further grace – Her act of surrender didn’t diminish her family; it multiplied it. 3. Ongoing confirmation – Each yearly visit, Eli’s blessing reinforces God’s continuing commitment, not a one-time kindness. 4. Tangible proof that God keeps His word – “The LORD attended to Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters” (1 Samuel 2:21). Broader Biblical Echoes • Sarah: “The LORD did for Sarah what He had promised” (Genesis 21:1–2). • Elizabeth: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled” (Luke 1:45). • Paul: “He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). • Writer of Hebrews: “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). Living Out the Lesson • God’s faithfulness is not limited by our sacrifices; He replenishes what we release to Him. • Obedience invites multiplied blessing—often different and greater than we first imagined. • Regular worship keeps us mindful of past answers and expectant for future ones. • Trust in God’s promises is never misplaced; His track record spans from Hannah to today. |
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