And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the LORD give you children by this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD." Then they would go home. And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying,Eli recognized the faith of Elkanah and Hannah as they continued to worship at Shiloh and bring Samuel to serve before the LORD. Though Eli’s own household was marked by spiritual failure, God used the high priest to speak a blessing over this faithful family. The blessing affirmed that Hannah’s costly obedience had not escaped God’s notice. Num 6:24-27 ‘May the LORD bless you and keep you;… “May the LORD give you children by this woman Hannah had known the grief and reproach of barrenness, yet she entrusted her longing to the LORD and fulfilled her vow when He gave her Samuel. Eli asked God to provide further children, acknowledging that life and fertility rest in the Lord’s sovereign hand. God’s answer would show that surrender to Him does not leave His servants impoverished. Gen 16:2 So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented… in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD.” Samuel had been given to the LORD for lifelong service at the tabernacle, not abandoned or forgotten by his parents. Elkanah and Hannah willingly placed God’s claim above their own natural desire to keep their son at home. The Lord would later give Hannah three sons and two daughters, demonstrating His gracious care for those who honor Him. Num 3:12-13 “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children… Then they would go home. After worshiping and leaving Samuel at Shiloh, Elkanah and Hannah returned to their household in Ramah. Their faith was expressed both in the yearly journey to the sanctuary and in the ordinary responsibilities of home. Samuel remained in the place of God’s service, while his parents continued in obedient trust. 2Sa 6:19 Then he distributed to every man and woman… Persons / Places / Events 1. EliThe high priest of Israel at Shiloh, who served as a judge and spiritual leader. He played a significant role in the early life of Samuel. 2. Elkanah A Levite from the hill country of Ephraim, husband of Hannah, and father of Samuel. He was a devout man who regularly worshiped at Shiloh. 3. Hannah The wife of Elkanah and mother of Samuel. She was initially barren but prayed fervently for a child, whom she dedicated to the LORD. 4. Shiloh The religious center of Israel during this period, where the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were located. It was the place where Eli served and where Hannah prayed for a son. 5. Samuel The son of Elkanah and Hannah, dedicated to the LORD's service. He would grow up to be a prophet, priest, and judge over Israel. Teaching Points The Power of BlessingEli's blessing over Elkanah and Hannah demonstrates the importance of speaking blessings over others. As believers, we are called to bless and encourage one another, trusting in God's provision. Faithfulness in Worship Elkanah and Hannah's regular worship at Shiloh exemplifies the importance of consistent devotion and worship in the life of a believer. Our faithfulness in worship can lead to divine encounters and blessings. God's Response to Prayer Hannah's account is a testament to the power of prayer and God's faithfulness in answering the cries of His people. We are encouraged to bring our deepest desires and needs before the LORD. Divine Replacement and Restoration Eli's blessing speaks of God providing children in place of the one given to the LORD. This reflects God's ability to restore and replace what we offer to Him in faith. Legacy of Faith The dedication of Samuel to the LORD's service highlights the impact of a parent's faith and dedication on their children's spiritual journey. We are reminded of the importance of raising our children in the knowledge and service of the LORD. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Eli's blessing in 1 Samuel 2:20 reflect the broader biblical theme of God's provision and blessing?2. In what ways can we incorporate the practice of blessing others in our daily lives, and what impact might this have on our communities? 3. How does the account of Hannah and Elkanah encourage us to remain faithful in worship and prayer, even when facing personal challenges? 4. What parallels can you draw between the account of Samuel's birth and other biblical accounts of miraculous births, and what do these accounts teach us about God's character? 5. How can we, like Hannah, dedicate the gifts and blessings we receive from God back to His service, and what might this look like in practical terms? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 1:27-28This passage recounts Hannah's prayer and vow to dedicate her son to the LORD, which sets the context for Eli's blessing in 1 Samuel 2:20. Genesis 21:1-2 The account of Sarah and Isaac parallels Hannah's account, as both women were initially barren and received a child through divine intervention. Psalm 127:3-5 This psalm speaks of children as a heritage from the LORD, reinforcing the blessing Eli gives to Elkanah and Hannah. Luke 1:13-14 The announcement of John the Baptist's birth to Zechariah and Elizabeth mirrors the miraculous birth of Samuel, highlighting God's intervention in human barrenness.
People Eli, Elkanah, Hannah, Hophni, Israelites, Pharaoh, Phinehas, SamuelPlaces Egypt, Ramah, ShilohTopics Appoint, Bless, Blessed, Blessing, Child, Dedicated, Eli, Elkanah, Elka'nah, Exchange, Home, Issue, Lent, Loan, Offspring, Petition, Prayed, Return, Saying, Seed, WifeDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 2:20 1335 blessing Library The Child Prophet'And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 2. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; 8. And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 4. That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 5. And he ran onto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Reverence in Worship. The Knowledge of God Though the Fore-Mentioned Eternal Moral Obligations Letter xxix. To Marcella. A Private Enquiry Appendix xix. On Eternal Punishment, According to the Rabbis and the New Testament Covenanting a Privilege of Believers. The Mystery Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory. Sanctification. Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity the Christian Calling and Unity. The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World Entire Sanctification The Holiness of God Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C. Samuel Links 1 Samuel 2:20 NIV1 Samuel 2:20 NLT 1 Samuel 2:20 ESV 1 Samuel 2:20 NASB 1 Samuel 2:20 KJV 1 Samuel 2:20 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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