What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 1:28? I now dedicate the boy to the LORD • Hannah has come to Shiloh to keep the vow she made when she prayed in deep distress (1 Samuel 1:11). • “Dedicate” here means handing Samuel over completely, no strings attached—mirroring the principle in Exodus 13:2 where every firstborn male “is Mine.” • By bringing Samuel to Eli, Hannah surrenders her parental rights and recognizes that children are “a heritage from the LORD” (Psalm 127:3). • This act echoes Abraham placing Isaac on the altar (Genesis 22:16-18) and foreshadows Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:22-24), teaching that true devotion yields the dearest treasures to God. • Practical takeaway: everything we steward—children, time, resources—belongs first to the Lord (1 Chronicles 29:14). For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD • The consecration is lifelong, not a short-term mission trip. Samuel will serve “before the LORD continually” (1 Samuel 2:18). • This mirrors the Nazarite principle of lifelong separation seen in Samson (Judges 13:5) and anticipated by the perpetual lamp in the tabernacle that “shall burn continually” (Leviticus 24:2-3). • New-covenant believers are called to the same whole-life devotion: “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) and “whatever you do, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). • Samuel’s life becomes a living sermon: sustained obedience is the normal Christian life (Hebrews 10:36). So they worshiped the LORD there • The family’s first act after surrender is worship, underscoring that obedience naturally flows into adoration (Psalm 96:9). • “There” points to the appointed place, Shiloh, the tabernacle’s location (Deuteronomy 12:5-7), reminding us that God meets His people where He has promised. • Worship involves the whole household; Elkanah joins Hannah, modeling corporate faith (Joshua 24:15). • True worship celebrates God’s faithfulness—He answered Hannah’s prayer—and anticipates future grace, as Samuel will soon hear God’s voice (1 Samuel 3:10). • New Testament echo: after dedicating Jesus, Mary and Joseph also “returned… glorifying and praising God” (Luke 2:39-40). summary • Hannah fulfills her vow by handing Samuel entirely over to God, illustrating that what we give to the Lord was His all along. • The dedication is lifelong, calling every believer to sustained, whole-life consecration. • Obedient surrender culminates in joyful worship, acknowledging God’s faithfulness and inviting His continued work. |
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