Topical Encyclopedia The vows of Hannah are a significant narrative found in the first book of Samuel, illustrating a profound act of faith and dedication to God. Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, is a central figure in the Old Testament, and her account is a testament to the power of prayer and the fulfillment of vows made to the Lord.Biblical Context Hannah's account is set during the time of the judges, a period characterized by social and religious upheaval in Israel. She was one of two wives of Elkanah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. Hannah was deeply loved by her husband, but she was barren, which caused her great distress and social reproach, especially in contrast to Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, who had children. The Vow In her anguish, Hannah made a vow to the Lord during one of her family's annual pilgrimages to the tabernacle at Shiloh. Her prayer is recorded in 1 Samuel 1:11 : "And she made a vow, saying, 'O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head.'" This vow was a Nazirite vow, a special commitment to God that involved abstaining from wine, avoiding contact with the dead, and not cutting one's hair, as outlined in Numbers 6. Hannah's promise to dedicate her son to the Lord for life was an extraordinary act of devotion, reflecting her deep faith and trust in God's providence. Fulfillment of the Vow God answered Hannah's prayer, and she bore a son, whom she named Samuel, meaning "heard by God." True to her vow, once Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him to the tabernacle at Shiloh to serve the Lord under the priest Eli. In 1 Samuel 1:27-28 , Hannah declares, "I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him, I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD." And they worshiped the LORD there. Significance Hannah's vow and its fulfillment highlight several key themes in the biblical narrative. Her account underscores the importance of faithfulness and integrity in keeping one's promises to God. It also illustrates the power of prayer and the belief that God hears and responds to the cries of His people. Furthermore, Hannah's dedication of Samuel set the stage for his significant role as a prophet and judge in Israel, anointing the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. Hannah's song of thanksgiving, recorded in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, is a profound expression of her gratitude and recognition of God's sovereignty and justice. Her vow and its fulfillment serve as an enduring example of piety and devotion, inspiring believers to trust in God's faithfulness and to honor their commitments to Him. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 1:1Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library About the Prefigured Change of the Israelitic Kingdom and ... Scriptural Uses of the General Words for Prayer Concerning the Birth of Samuel; and How He Foretold the Calamity ... Blessed be the Messenger that was Laden, and Came That Thy Resurrection Might be Believed among the Gainsayers, they ... The Promises of the Christian Home. Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above. Introductory Notice to the Early Liturgies. Letter cvii. To Laeta. The Child Prophet Resources What is the Christian view of asceticism / monasticism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Society of Jesus? Who are the Jesuits, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.org What is Jainism? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Vows of Ananias and Sapphira, in the Dedication of the Proceeds of the Sale of Their Land Vows of Certain Jews With Paul Vows of Children Void Without the Consent of Parents Vows of Hannah, to Consecrate to the Lord the Child for Which She Prayed Vows of Job, not to Entertain Thoughts of Fornication Vows of Mariners Who Cast out Jonah Vows of Married Women Void Without Consent of Husbands Vows of the Jews, to Kill Paul Vows of the Mother of Micah, in the Dedication of Silver for the Making of an Idol Vows of Things Corrupt or Blemished an Insult to God Vows of Widows and Women Divorced from Their Husbands Binding Vows of Wives, Could Only be Objected to at the Time of Making Vows were Made in Reference to Afflicting the Soul Vows were Made in Reference to Dedicating Children to God Vows were Made in Reference to Devoting Property to God Vows were Made in Reference to Devoting the Person to God Vows were Made in Reference to Offering Sacrifices Vows: All Things Dedicated By, to be Brought to the Tabernacle Vows: Clean Beasts the Subjects of, not to be Redeemed Vows: Danger of Inconsiderately Making Vows: Edible Things offered In, to be Eaten the Same Day They Were offered Vows: Estimation of the Redemption Price of Things offered in Vows Vows: Might be Redeemed by Paying a Suitable Compensation Vows: Rash: The Israelites, to Destroy the Benjamites Vows: Solemn Promises Made to God Vows: The Hire of a Prostitute or Price of a Dog Could not be The Vows: The Redemption Price of the offering of Real Estate, to be Valued by the Priest Vows: Things Forbidden to be offered in Receipts of the Whore and the Price of a "Dog" Vows: Things offered In, to be Brought to the Tabernacle or Temple Vows: To be Performed Faithfully Vows: To be Performed Without Delay Vows: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Related Terms Free-will-offerings (6 Occurrences) Freewill-offerings (8 Occurrences) Drink-offerings (31 Occurrences) Voluntary-offerings (4 Occurrences) Heave-offering (55 Occurrences) |
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