How does 1 Samuel 2:21 connect to God's promises in other Scriptures? Verse Spotlight 1 Samuel 2:21 — “And the LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.” Promises Fulfilled in Hannah’s Life • God’s visitation turned barrenness into abundance, confirming His faithfulness to hear and answer earnest prayer (1 Samuel 1:10–20). • Hannah honored her vow by dedicating Samuel; God honored her sacrifice with multiplied blessings, echoing His promise: “Those who honor Me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30). • The continuous growth of Samuel “in the presence of the LORD” assures that God not only gives gifts but also sustains and matures them. Connecting Threads Across Scripture • Promise of Fruitfulness – Genesis 30:22 — “Then God remembered Rachel; God listened to her and opened her womb.” – Psalm 113:9 — “He settles the childless woman in her home as a joyful mother of children.” – Deuteronomy 7:13 — “He will love you and bless you and multiply you… He will bless the fruit of your womb.” Hannah’s story mirrors these assurances that God delights to remove reproach and grant life. • Promise of Answered Prayer – Jeremiah 33:3 — “Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” – Matthew 7:7 — “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Hannah’s initial plea and God’s subsequent visitation embody this open-handed invitation. • Promise of Divine Remembrance – Exodus 2:24 — “God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant…” – Luke 1:13 — “But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard…’ ” Each instance shows that when God “remembers,” He acts in concrete, life-altering ways. • Promise of Generational Purpose – Judges 13:5 — Samson’s birth foretold with a mission. – Luke 1:15 — John the Baptist “will be great in the sight of the Lord.” – 1 Samuel 2:21 — Samuel grows “in the presence of the LORD,” underscoring that God fashions children for His redemptive plans. Principles Revealed • God’s blessings often overflow beyond the original request (Hannah prayed for one son, received six children). • Personal obedience and dedication invite multiplied favor. • Divine timing may test patience, but fulfilled promises arrive precisely when they best display God’s glory. • Every answered prayer folds into a larger tapestry of covenant faithfulness stretching from Genesis to Revelation. Take-Home Truths • 1 Samuel 2:21 stands as a living illustration that every specific promise of God—whether about fruitfulness, answered prayer, or honor for faithfulness—remains reliable. • What God begins in grace, He continues in growth; His gifts are never abandoned but nurtured for His purposes. • Hannah’s experience encourages believers today to pray boldly, commit wholeheartedly, and expect God to weave individual stories into His grand narrative of promise fulfilled. |
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