Dedicated to ADONAI
First Samuel 1: 21-28
Dedicated to ADONAI DIG: What was the best thing Hannah had going for her? Does this passage lend support to baby dedication practiced in many of the congregations of God today? Why or why not? Why did it take faith for Elkanah and Hannah to leave Samuel in the care of incompetent ‘Eli and his wicked sons?
REFLECT: Why do you think God waited so long to give Hannah a son? How do you think she felt as she brought Samuel to the Tabernacle? What is the most reassuring point of Hannah’s story to you? Are you ready to dedicate someone or something to ADONAI (spouse, children, future, home, or possessions)?
Hannah acknowledged that God had given Samuel to her;
therefore, it was right for her to give him back to God in return.
Certainly Hannah told Elkanah about her vow (to see link click Aj – Hannah’s Prayer), because she knew that the Torah permitted a husband to annul a wife’s vow if he disagreed with it (see the commentary on Numbers Fn – The Vows of a Married Woman). Elkanah agreed with her vow, but was careful not to let anything hinder the fulfillment of his commitments at Shiloh. In God’s eyes, Hannah’s vow then became binding on him as well, and Elkanah recognized this solemn responsibility to see that it was fulfilled. In this, he demonstrated his deep love for his wife far more than any words of encouragement might have done. Therefore, he allowed Hannah to remain at home while he went up with all his household to offer the yearly sacrifice to God (1:21).38
As we wonder about Hannah’s response to her son’s birth, we should inquire about God’s attitude toward solemn vows made to Him. The Bible answers: When you make a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow, why should Ha’Shem be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands (Ecc 5:4-6)? It turns out that ADONAI takes our vows very seriously. Vows made to God, including marriage vows, ordination vows, congregational membership vows, and oaths of office, should be made soberly and with mature judgment. Ecclesiastes continues: It is better that you should not vow than to that you should vow and not pay (Ecclesiastes 5:5). For this reason, vows should not be entered into by those who are immature and do not have the means to carry out the intentions of their hearts. Hannah’s actions suggest that she was mature and that she made her vow to God in sober judgment and honest intent.39
Hannah did not go up, explaining to her husband, “As soon as the child has been weaned, then I will bring him, so that he can appear before ADONAI to serve and live there as long as he lives.” According to Second Maccabees 7:27, Jewish children were breast-fed for three years. Her husband Elkanah answered her, “Do what seems good to you; stay here until you have weaned him. May ADONAI enable you to fulfill your vow.” So Hannah stayed behind and nursed the child, until she weaned him (1:22-23). We can’t help but admire Elkanah for what he said and did, for this was his firstborn son by his beloved Hannah, what is more father and son would be separated for the rest of their lives. A firstborn son had to be redeemed by a sacrifice (see the commentary on Exodus Cd – Redemption of the Firstborn), but Elkanah was giving his son as a living sacrifice to ADONAI. As a Nazirite (1:11c), a prophet (3:20), and a judge (see Bm – The Last Judge), Samuel would faithfully serve God and Isra’el, ushering in a new era of Jewish history.40
After weaning him, Hannah took her son up with her to the yearly sacrifice, along with three young bulls for blood offerings, to the house of ADONAI at Shiloh (see Ae – The Tabernacle at Shiloh), even though he was just a child (1:24). ‘Eli accepted Samuel because there were a number of women serving in the Tabernacle compound.41 A translation issue with this verse sheds some light on the offering. Most English versions say that Hannah brought a three-year-old bull. But the original Hebrew text states that Hannah brought three young bulls. Some scholars consider the original reading to be problematic, changing it to a single three-year-old bull, in part because verse 25 says that they slaughtered the bull (singular). But the main objection to the original text is the extreme economic sacrifice that would have been involved in such an offering.42
The bull was the most expensive sacrifice possible and was sacrificed for the burnt offering. Normally, a common person like Elkanah would not be able to afford to sacrifice three young bulls. By comparison, even the high priest was commanded to personally offer just one bull for a purification offering (see Leviticus Aq – The Chatta’th Offering: Communicating God’s Forgiveness); even the leader of a tribe did not have to offer a bull, but a male goat; and a common Israelite was to offer a female goat or lamb (see the commentary on Leviticus Ai – The Burnt Offering: Accepted by God). In such a primitive agricultural society, three young bulls represented a staggering amount of wealth. Elkanah was, without a doubt, very rich. But unable to imagine Elkanah’s generosity in giving to ADONAI, some scholars have needlessly changed the text, following the example of influential ancient translators of the Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Peshitta.
Hannah’s additional gift of a grain offering (see Leviticus Aj – The Grain Offerings: Dedicated to God), about three-fifths of a bushel of flour (or about 25 pounds), however, seems to fit the offering for three young bulls, since the Torah prescribed that three-tenths of a bushel of flour should be offered along with each bull. So Hannah’s offering of about 25 pounds of flour was slightly more than required for three bulls (Numbers 15:8-10). In addition, Hannah brought a drink offering of a skin of wine (see Numbers Ch – Grain and Drink Offerings), which is better understood to be a large jug containing as many as twenty liters (or 5.3 gallons).43
After the bull had been slaughtered, Elkanah and Hannah fulfilled their vow when they brought their child to ‘Eli. While Elkanah has stayed in the background, he was with her all along. Hannah reminded the high priest that she was the one who had prayed for a son three years before. She said: O my lord, as sure as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here near you, praying to ADONAI. I prayed for this child, and ADONAI has granted the request I asked of Him (1:25-27). Did the old man remember the occasion, and did he recall how unfairly he had dealt with the woman who was in so much pain? If he did, there’s no record of it, but he received the boy to become a servant of the LORD at the Tabernacle and be trained in the Torah.
Considering the pitiful spiritual condition of ‘Eli and the wicked ways of his sons (see Ar – ‘Eli’s Wicked Sons), it took a great deal of faith for Elkanah and Hannah to leave their innocent son in their supervision. But ADONAI was with Samuel and would preserve him from the pollution around him. Just as YHVH protected Joseph in Egypt, so He would protect Samuel in Shiloh. The Ruach Ha’Kodesh can protect our children and grandchildren in this present evil world. Judgment was coming to ‘Eli and his family, but God would prepare Samuel to guide the nation, and move them into the next stage of their development, the monarchy under king David, and his son, King Solomon.
Then Hannah declared: So, I have also dedicated my son to ADONAI – as long as he lives, he is dedicated (1:28a). Hannah’s example shows that God’s grace rightly demands that we respond by giving back to Him. To receive God’s gifts merely for our own pleasure is to misuse them and despise the Giver, not appreciating His generosity and our dependence on His grace. English evangelical Anglican bishop J. C. Ryle (1816-1900) puts this principle in the context of the Gospel, “Grateful love is the true spring of real obedience to Christ.”
The contrast between Hannah’s selfless devotion, and the self-indulgence of ‘Eli and his sons at Shiloh (2:12) highlights the cost of her leaving Samuel there, though this is not mentioned directly. People like her were salt and light in the community. Ironically, there is a subtle foreshadowing of God preparing Samuel to replace Eli’s authority. It will be Samuel, not his master ‘Eli, who will hear the voice of ADONAI distinctly addressing him as a child.44
The final words of the chapter provide a fitting conclusion: And Samuel prostrated himself there before ADONAI (1:28b). This was the great purpose in all that Hannah had hoped for: that her son might worship and serve the LORD in His house. The purpose for our lives is no different. Paul writes: Therefore, I urge you, in view of God’s mercy, to offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – which is your spiritual worship (Romans 12:1). Paul’s “therefore,” refers to the whole Gospel teaching that precedes his appeal. Just as Hannah responded to God’s gift of a son by bringing little Samuel to serve all his days in the Tabernacle, so we are to respond to God’s grace in Yeshua Messiah by offering ourselves as living sacrifices for the sake of His praise.
Realizing our calling to serve the Lord, we see that while Samuel would fulfill a unique and vital role in Isra’el’s history, there is just as much value in one who serves God faithfully at home as in one who serves God faithfully in the congregation. Ministry is not only for the rabbi or pastor. Everyone should be involved in some way. Many are called to full time ministry, but most will serve God in secular vocations or at home, while still offering their time, effort, money, prayers, and spiritual gifts to the Lord. Really, what ADONAI wants from us is our whole lives, which He gave to us in the first place, and which He has purchased with the precious blood of His Son Yeshua (First Corinthians 6:19-20).
So whatever plans our parents have had for our lives, we should present ourselves to ADONAI in the manner that Hannah presented young Samuel. Hannah acknowledged that God had given Samuel to her; therefore, it was right for her to give him back to God in return. Likewise, each of us should say to God, “Abba, You made me, and You redeemed me from my sin through the death of Your own Son. I now belong to You, so I offer my whole life for Your praise and for service to Your glorious Kingdom.” And as you make your offering to the Lord, hand it over as John Wesley offered himself to the service of Christ and the Gospel, saying, “I am no longer my own but yours. Put me to what you will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for You or laid aside for You. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal.45
Dear Heavenly Father, praise You for being such an awesome Father! The loving relationship with You is so much more important than anything here on earth. David is an excellent example of even when we have big problems and trials, we should call out to You, remembering and meditating on Your steadfast love that has made a home of eternal love in heaven for all who have put their faith in You. A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You. My soul thirsts for You. My flesh longs for You in a dry and weary land, where there is no water. So, I looked for You in the Sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Since Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You (Psalms 63 1-3). In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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