1 Samuel 1:24
Once she had weaned him, Hannah took the boy with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. Though the boy was still young, she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh.
Once she had weaned him
In ancient Israel, weaning typically occurred around the age of three. This was a significant milestone, marking the child's transition from infancy to early childhood. Weaning was often celebrated as it indicated the child had survived the vulnerable early years. Hannah's decision to wait until Samuel was weaned before fulfilling her vow to dedicate him to the LORD shows her commitment to nurturing him during his formative years.

Hannah took the boy with her
Hannah's journey to Shiloh with Samuel was a fulfillment of her vow to God. This act of dedication was a profound expression of faith and obedience. It highlights the importance of vows in the biblical narrative, where making and keeping vows to God was a serious matter (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).

along with a three-year-old bull
The offering of a bull was significant in the sacrificial system of Israel. A three-year-old bull was considered a valuable and substantial offering, indicating Hannah's gratitude and the seriousness of her vow. This offering aligns with the Levitical laws concerning sacrifices (Leviticus 1:3-5).

an ephah of flour
An ephah is a unit of dry measure, roughly equivalent to 22 liters or about 5.8 gallons. The flour was likely intended for a grain offering, which accompanied burnt offerings as a sign of dedication and thanksgiving to God (Leviticus 2:1-3).

and a skin of wine
Wine was often used in drink offerings, which were poured out as a libation to the LORD (Numbers 15:5-10). The inclusion of wine with the bull and flour completes the sacrificial offering, symbolizing joy and celebration in fulfilling her vow.

Though the boy was still young
Samuel's youth is emphasized to highlight the faith and trust Hannah placed in God. Despite his tender age, Samuel was dedicated to the LORD's service, foreshadowing his future role as a prophet and judge in Israel. This dedication parallels the Nazarite vow, where individuals were set apart for God's service from a young age (Judges 13:5).

she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh
Shiloh was the central place of worship in Israel before the temple was built in Jerusalem. It housed the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant, making it the spiritual center of the nation (Joshua 18:1). Bringing Samuel to Shiloh signifies his consecration to God's service in the presence of the sacred symbols of Israel's faith. This act prefigures the dedication of Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:22-24), drawing a parallel between Samuel and Christ as dedicated servants of God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hannah
A devout woman who prayed earnestly for a child and vowed to dedicate him to the Lord. Her faith and commitment are central to this passage.

2. Samuel
The child born to Hannah, who would become a significant prophet and judge in Israel. His dedication to the Lord begins in this verse.

3. Shiloh
The religious center of Israel at the time, where the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were located. It is the place where Hannah fulfills her vow.

4. The House of the LORD
Refers to the tabernacle at Shiloh, the central place of worship for the Israelites.

5. The Offering
Hannah brings a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine as part of her offering, signifying her gratitude and dedication to God.
Teaching Points
Faithful Fulfillment of Vows
Hannah's dedication of Samuel teaches the importance of keeping promises made to God, even when they require personal sacrifice.

The Role of Sacrifice in Worship
The offerings Hannah brings underscore the principle that true worship involves giving back to God from what He has blessed us with.

Parenting with Purpose
Hannah's actions remind us of the importance of raising children with a focus on their spiritual development and dedication to God.

Trust in God's Timing
Hannah's account encourages believers to trust in God's timing and faithfulness, even when answers to prayers are delayed.

Community Worship and Commitment
Bringing Samuel to Shiloh highlights the importance of community worship and the role of the faith community in nurturing spiritual growth.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Hannah's fulfillment of her vow to God challenge us in our own commitments and promises to Him?

2. In what ways can we incorporate the principle of sacrificial giving in our worship today?

3. How can parents today follow Hannah's example in dedicating their children to the Lord?

4. What can we learn from Hannah's patience and trust in God's timing when facing our own challenges?

5. How does the community aspect of worship at Shiloh inform our understanding of the church's role in spiritual growth and support?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 21
The account of Sarah and Isaac parallels Hannah's account, highlighting themes of miraculous birth and dedication to God.

Luke 2
Mary and Joseph's presentation of Jesus at the temple echoes Hannah's dedication of Samuel, emphasizing the importance of dedicating children to God.

Numbers 15
The offerings brought by Hannah align with the prescribed offerings in the Mosaic Law, showing her adherence to God's commands.
Samuel's Birth and InfancyB. Dale 1 Samuel 1:19-28
Of Infant Baptism and of Childlike ChildrenDean Goulburn.1 Samuel 1:24-28
The Duty of Presenting Children to God in the Way of Religious EducationD. Wilson.1 Samuel 1:24-28
People
Eli, Elihu, Elkanah, Ephah, Hannah, Hophni, Jeroham, Peninnah, Phinehas, Samuel, Tohu, Zuph
Places
Ramah, Ramathaim-zophim, Shiloh
Topics
Along, Although, Bottle, Boy, Bringeth, Bull, Bullocks, Bulls, Causeth, Child, Ephah, Flask, Flour, Full, Jug, Meal, Ox, Shiloh, Skin, Three-year, Three-year-old, Weaned, Wine, Youth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 1:24

     4544   wine
     4548   wineskin
     4615   bull
     5234   bottle

1 Samuel 1:9-28

     5745   women

1 Samuel 1:19-28

     8629   worship, times

1 Samuel 1:21-28

     7775   prophets, lives

Library
Of Self-Annihilation
Of Self-Annihilation Supplication and sacrifice are comprehended in prayer, which, according to S. John, is "an incense, the smoke whereof ascendeth unto God;" therefore it is said in the Apocalypse that "unto the Angel was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints'' (Chap. viii. 3). Prayer is the effusion of the heart in the Presence of God: "I have poured out my soul before God" saith the mother of Samuel. (1 Sam. i. 15) The prayer of the wise men at the feet of
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

Prayer and Sacrifice Explained by the Similitude of a Perfume --Our Annihilation in this Sacrifice --Solidity and Fruitfulness of this Prayer as Set Forth in The
Prayer ought to be both petition and sacrifice. Prayer, according to the testimony of St John, is an incense, whose perfume rises to God. Therefore it is said in the Revelation (chap. viii. 3), that an angel held a censer, which contained the incense of the prayers of saints. Prayer is an outpouring of the heart in the presence of God. "I have poured out my soul before the Lord," said the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. i. 15). Thus the prayers of the Magi at the feet of the infant Jesus in the stable of
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents

Home Dedication.
"The rose was rich in bloom on Sharon's plain, When a young mother with her first born thence Went up to Zion, for the boy was vowed Unto the Temple-service; by the hand She led him, and her silent soul, the while, Oft as the dewy laughter of his eye Met her sweet serious glance, rejoiced to think That aught so pure, so beautiful, was hers, To bring before her God!" Beautiful thought, and thrice beautiful deed,--fresh from the pure fount of maternal piety! The Hebrew mother consecrating her first-born
Samuel Philips—The Christian Home

John Newton 1Sam 1:10,18

John Newton—Olney Hymns

Hwochow Women's Bible Training School
COURSE OF STUDY FIRST TERM Book of Genesis. Gospel according to St. Luke or St. Mark. Acts of the Apostles, chapters i. to ix. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible." Reading Lessons, with necessary Explanation and Writing of Chinese Character. Arithmetic. Singing and Memorisation of Hymns. SECOND TERM Book of Exodus, Numbers, and 1 Samuel i. to xvi. The Gospel according to St. John. The Epistle of St James. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible"--(continued). Reading
A. Mildred Cable—The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's

The Love of the Holy Spirit in Us.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not."--Matt. xxvii. 37. The Scripture teaches not only that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and with Him Love, but also that He sheds abroad that Love in our hearts. This shedding abroad does not refer to the coming of the Holy Spirit's Person, for a person can not be shed abroad. He comes, takes possession, and dwells in us; but that which is shed abroad
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible

Divers Matters.
I. Beth-cerem, Nehemiah 3:14. "The stones, as well of the altar, as of the ascent to the altar, were from the valley of Beth-cerem, which they digged out beneath the barren land. And thence they are wont to bring whole stones, upon which the working iron came not." The fathers of the traditions, treating concerning the blood of women's terms, reckon up five colours of it; among which that, "which is like the water of the earth, out of the valley of Beth-cerem."--Where the Gloss writes thus, "Beth-cerem
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The King --Continued.
The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation,
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
1 Samuel 1:24 NIV
1 Samuel 1:24 NLT
1 Samuel 1:24 ESV
1 Samuel 1:24 NASB
1 Samuel 1:24 KJV

1 Samuel 1:24 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Samuel 1:23
Top of Page
Top of Page