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mercy promised to our fathers . . . . . that we being delivered out of the hand of our
enemies might serve Him without fear" (Luke 1: 68-74).
It is not surprising, therefore, that Hannah takes her place alongside Mary and
Zacharias. All three sing similar songs of praise and triumph at the birth of their sons,
Samuel, the Lord Jesus, and John the Baptist. The theme of their songs centres around
Mary's Son, Who has already faithfully fulfilled the O.T. prophecies of Redemption in
His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. When He comes to the earth
the second time it will be in power and majesty to fulfil the remainder of these songs in
His triumph as King of kings, Lord of lords.
No.4.
2: 11 - 25.
pp. 95 - 99
Hannah and Elkanah, having left their son Samuel with Eli at the door of the
Tabernacle in Shiloh, returned to their home at Ramah. We read in verse 11, "the child
did minister unto the Lord before Eli the priest". Again in verse 18, "But Samuel
ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod". The ephod was
one of the sacred garments that the Lord had commanded Moses to make, which Aaron
(and his successors) were to wear when they performed the service of the Lord in His
Tabernacle. The linen ephod that Samuel was allowed to wear was but a simple replica,
but it was a visible sign that though Samuel was but a child, he was dedicated to the
Lord's service. Undoubtedly Eli arranged this, and it is evident that he took a keen
personal interest in the lad and kept him close to himself.
Elkanah's faithfulness in presenting himself and his household every year at Shiloh to
commemorate the Passover feast now had an added incentive. Together with Hannah
they would see their son:
"Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year,
when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice" (I Sam. 2: 19).
How natural it was that Samuel's mother would ensure that the boy had the clothes he
needed. These little human touches recorded in the Scriptures are often very moving, and
show that we do not have a God that is concerned with great things of this world only,
but also of those little things which affect our comfort, welfare, or protection.
The sacrifice and devotion of Hannah were evidently rewarded, for we read in verse 21:
"And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two
daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord."
The meaning of the words "And the child Samuel grew before the Lord" is made clear
in verse 26, "And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and