Why did Hannah decide to wait before going to the house of the LORD? The Setting 1 Samuel 1 recounts Hannah’s anguish over barrenness, her fervent prayer at Shiloh, and her vow to dedicate any son the LORD might give her. The Lord answered, Samuel was born, and verse 22 records Hannah’s surprising decision: “But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, ‘After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always.’” (1 Samuel 1:22) Hannah’s Vow and Its Weight • In Shiloh she had promised, “O LORD of Hosts, if You will indeed look upon the affliction of Your maidservant … I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 1:11). • A vow before God was binding (Numbers 30:2). Breaking it would be unthinkable. • She meant Samuel to belong to God permanently—no token gesture, but lifelong service. Why She Chose to Wait • Weaning ensured physical readiness – In the ancient Near East weaning often occurred around age three (cf. 2 Maccabees 7:27 for a cultural glimpse). – By that point Samuel would be strong enough to live at the sanctuary without daily maternal care. • Nurturing for covenant faith – While nursing, Hannah could begin shaping Samuel’s earliest memories with songs, prayers, and stories of God’s faithfulness (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). – Those foundational years under her godly influence would prepare him for later ministry. • Completion, not postponement, of obedience – She was not delaying out of reluctance; she was ensuring she could fulfill the vow fully and responsibly. – When the vow’s terms were ripe, she would act immediately (1 Samuel 1:24-28). • Harmony with her husband’s leadership – Elkanah affirmed her plan: “Do what seems best to you…” (1 Samuel 1:23). – Their unity safeguarded the integrity of the offering (cf. Amos 3:3). Related Scriptures • Psalm 22:9 – “You made me trust in You from my mother’s breasts.” Early nurture and trust belong together. • Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go…” Hannah lived this principle before it was penned. • Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything…” She discerned the right season for dedication. • Luke 2:22 – Mary likewise waited for Jesus’ presentation “when the days of purification were completed.” Spiritual Insights for Today • Timing in obedience matters. Faithfulness sometimes means waiting until responsibilities are met. • Parental nurture is ministry; Hannah’s quiet months at home were as vital as Samuel’s future prophetic role. • Vows to God deserve thoughtful follow-through, balancing zeal with wisdom. Key Takeaways • Hannah waited until Samuel was weaned so her dedication would be wholehearted, responsible, and lasting. • The pause was not hesitation but preparation—physical, spiritual, and relational. • Her example teaches that careful obedience, anchored in trust and love, honors God just as surely as swift action. |
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