Topical Bible: Samuel: Consecrated to God Before his Birth

◄ Samuel: Consecrated to God Before his Birth ►

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Samuel, a pivotal figure in the history of Israel, is renowned as a prophet, judge, and the last of the judges before the establishment of the monarchy. His life and ministry are chronicled primarily in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. Samuel's account begins with a remarkable narrative of divine intervention and dedication to God even before his birth.

Hannah's Vow and Samuel's Birth

Samuel's mother, Hannah, was one of two wives of Elkanah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. Hannah was barren, which caused her great distress, especially in light of the taunting she received from Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, who had children. In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed earnestly to the LORD at the tabernacle in Shiloh, vowing that if God granted her a son, she would dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life. This vow included the Nazarite vow, which meant that "no razor shall ever come over his head" (1 Samuel 1:11).

God heard Hannah's prayer, and she conceived and bore a son, whom she named Samuel, meaning "heard of God," acknowledging that her petition had been granted. True to her vow, once Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh and presented him to Eli the priest, saying, "For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD" (1 Samuel 1:27-28).

Samuel's Early Life and Ministry

From a young age, Samuel served in the tabernacle under Eli's guidance. The LORD was with Samuel as he grew, and he was recognized as a prophet throughout Israel. The Bible records that "the LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, because there He revealed Himself to Samuel by His word" (1 Samuel 3:21). Samuel's prophetic ministry was marked by his faithfulness to God's word and his role in guiding Israel through a tumultuous period.

Role in Transition to Monarchy

Samuel played a crucial role in the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. He anointed Saul as the first king of Israel at God's command, and later, after Saul's disobedience, he anointed David as Saul's successor. Samuel's leadership was characterized by his unwavering commitment to God's will and his efforts to lead the people in righteousness.

Legacy

Samuel's life exemplifies the power of prayer, dedication, and obedience to God. His consecration before birth set the stage for a life of significant impact on the nation of Israel. Samuel's account is a testament to God's faithfulness and the importance of dedicating one's life to His service.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 1:11,22,24-28
And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a man child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come on his head.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and ...
... She called him Samuel, ie, asked of God ... Before his birth even, she dedicated him
to God. ... she carried him to the Tabernacle and there publicly consecrated him to ...
/.../chapter v the baptismal covenant.htm

Restoring the Creator-Creature Relation
... This they fail to do, and God sends Samuel to announce ... God will unveil His glory
before His servant's eyes, and ... that His honor is safe in such consecrated hands ...
/.../tozer/the pursuit of god/viii restoring the creator-creature relation.htm

Christ's Humiliation in his Incarnation
... If he be born in thy heart, it is consecrated by the ... be vile, I will yet be more
vile.' 2 Samuel 6:22. ... assumed our nature, we are made one with God; our nature ...
/.../watson/a body of divinity/6 christs humiliation in his.htm

On the Death of his Father.
... 3237] and David [3238] meekness, Samuel prophecy, seeing ... of private friendship or
devotion to God; but at ... violence, that he might be consecrated and proclaimed ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xviii on the death.htm

Against the Arians, and Concerning Himself.
... was deceived too by the Ramah of Samuel, that little ... Novatian, whom his followers
contrived to get consecrated as a ... of the Trinity of Persons in God, and would ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxiii against the arians.htm

The Subsequent Influence of Christ's Death in the World Predicted ...
... flesh itself was David's "sure mercies," consecrated by religion ... of David." Him,
not David, has God appointed for ... of which contained 1 and 2 Samuel, "the second ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xx name subsequent influence.htm

Modern Examples of Prayer
... in all ages of the Church and Samuel Rutherford was ... Among the last entries in this
consecrated missionary's journal ... not long been praying with God before I was ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/xi modern examples of prayer.htm

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
... the gold, incense, and myrrh which they consecrated to the ... These words refer to 2
Samuel 5:2: "And the ... remarks: "Because this is the counsel of God, first to ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the quotation in matt ii.htm

The Birth of a Movement.
... with clouds descending." It laid hands upon Samuel Bradburn, the ... the Wesleys, a bit
of land consecrated with the ... man who in the providence of God was destined ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/i the birth of a.htm

Methodism.
... His aim was to build the city of God and to save souls ... Protestant bishops in America,
with the exception of Dr. Samuel Seabury, who was consecrated a few ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 109 methodism.htm