1 Samuel 1:25

KJV

And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they slew {H7819} a bullock {H6499}, and brought {H935} the child {H5288} to Eli {H5941}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After the bull had been slaughtered, the child was brought to 'Eli;

Berean Standard Bible

And when they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli.

American Standard Version

And they slew the bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 1:25 records the solemn fulfillment of Hannah's vow to the Lord, as she and Elkanah bring their weaned son, Samuel, to Shiloh. This pivotal moment involves the ritual sacrifice of a bullock, signifying a profound act of worship and dedication, followed by the formal presentation of Samuel to Eli, the high priest, for lifelong service at the tabernacle. It marks the transfer of Samuel from his mother's care into the direct service of God, setting the stage for his future prophetic and leadership role in Israel and signaling a new era of divine intervention in the nation's history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Hannah's journey to Shiloh with Elkanah and Samuel, after the child has been weaned (1 Samuel 1:24). It is the culmination of Hannah's desperate prayer for a son (1 Samuel 1:10-11) and her subsequent vow to dedicate him to the Lord's service. The act of bringing Samuel to Eli and offering a sacrifice signifies the faithful completion of this vow, transitioning the narrative from Hannah's personal struggle and triumph to Samuel's introduction into the priestly household and, eventually, his public ministry. The subsequent verses (1 Samuel 2:1-10) record Hannah's magnificent prayer of thanksgiving, further emphasizing the spiritual significance of this dedication and foreshadowing God's future acts of raising up the humble and bringing down the proud.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Shiloh, which served as the central sanctuary and location of the tabernacle during the period of the Judges, before the establishment of the monarchy. Animal sacrifice was a fundamental component of Israelite worship, prescribed by the Mosaic Law, serving various purposes including atonement, thanksgiving, and dedication. The "bullock" would have been a significant and costly offering, indicating the gravity and importance of the occasion. Weaning in ancient Israel typically occurred later than in modern Western societies, often between the ages of three and five, meaning Samuel was a young child, capable of being separated from his mother but still requiring care. The act of "bringing the child to Eli" represents a formal transfer of guardianship and responsibility for Samuel's upbringing and training within the sacred precincts of the tabernacle, under the high priest's supervision, signifying a profound commitment to God's service.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully underscores several key themes central to the book of 1 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **fulfillment of vows and faithfulness to God's word**. Hannah's unwavering commitment to her promise, despite the personal cost, serves as a profound example of integrity before the Lord, echoing the importance of vows found in passages that emphasize keeping one's word before the Lord, such as those detailed in [Numbers 30](/numbers/30 "Numbers 30 - Laws Concerning Vows"). Secondly, it highlights **sacrificial dedication and giving one's best to God**. The offering of the bullock, combined with the dedication of Samuel, symbolizes a complete surrender and trust in God's plan. This act of dedication also foreshadows Samuel's future role as a prophet and judge, marking the **beginning of a new era** where God raises up faithful leaders in response to the spiritual decline exemplified by Eli's corrupt sons, whose wickedness is vividly described in [1 Samuel 2:12-17](/1_samuel/2-12-17 "1 Samuel 2:12-17 - The Wickedness of Eli's Sons").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slew (Hebrew, _shâchaṭ_):** From H7819 (shâchaṭ), this primitive root means "to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)." Here, it specifically denotes the ritual slaughter of an animal for sacrifice. It implies a precise, prescribed method of killing that was part of the cultic worship. The use of this term emphasizes that the act was not merely killing but a sacred, religious procedure, performed according to the Law, making the offering acceptable to God. It underscores the formality and religious gravity of the event accompanying Samuel's dedication.
* **Bullock (Hebrew, _par_):** From H6499 (par), this term refers to a young bullock or ox, often described as breaking forth in wild strength. In ancient Israelite sacrificial systems, a bullock was a substantial and valuable animal, often used for burnt offerings (Leviticus 1:5), peace offerings (Leviticus 3:1), or sin offerings for the high priest or the whole congregation (Leviticus 4:3-12). Its sacrifice here indicates a significant, costly, and solemn act of worship and dedication, reflecting the magnitude of Hannah's vow and the preciousness of her offering.
* **Child (Hebrew, _naʻar_):** From H5288 (naʻar), this term refers concretely to "a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence." While often translated as "child," it can refer to a young boy or even a young man. In Samuel's case, having just been weaned (1 Samuel 1:24), he would have been a toddler, likely between three and five years old. The term highlights his youth and vulnerability, making Hannah's dedication of him even more poignant and sacrificial. It also implies that he was old enough to be separated from his mother and begin a life of service under Eli's tutelage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they slew a bullock":** This clause describes the sacrificial act performed by Hannah and Elkanah. The plural "they" indicates that both parents were involved in this solemn worship, demonstrating their shared commitment to the vow. The slaying of a bullock, a significant and costly offering, was likely part of a burnt offering (signifying complete dedication) or a peace offering (signifying fellowship and thanksgiving), or a combination thereof, as was common for major life events and fulfillment of vows. This act underscored the sacredness of the occasion and the depth of their commitment to God, acknowledging His provision and fulfilling their covenant obligations.
* **"and brought the child to Eli":** This second clause details the formal presentation of Samuel to the high priest, Eli. This act completed the fulfillment of Hannah's vow to dedicate her son to the Lord for his entire life (1 Samuel 1:11). Bringing Samuel to Eli meant placing him under the direct care, training, and supervision of the priestly household at the tabernacle in Shiloh. It marked Samuel's transition from his family home to a life of service in the sacred space, setting him apart for God's purposes from a very young age and initiating his unique role in Israel's spiritual history.

#### Literary Devices
The verse, though concise, employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the "bullock" symbolizing the costly and complete nature of Hannah's dedication and thanksgiving. It represents not just a material offering, but the spiritual offering of her most precious possession—her son. The act of "bringing the child to Eli" is also **symbolic** of Hannah's profound trust in God and her willingness to surrender her desires to His will, placing her son directly under divine authority. Furthermore, the scene serves as **foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at Samuel's future importance. His entry into the tabernacle at such a young age, under the care of the high priest, sets the stage for his eventual rise as a prophet, judge, and king-maker, contrasting sharply with the declining spiritual state of Eli's own sons (1 Samuel 2:12-17). This quiet act of dedication thus carries immense narrative weight, signaling the dawn of a new era in Israel's spiritual leadership and God's sovereign hand in raising up faithful servants.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The dedication of Samuel, marked by the sacrifice of the bullock, is a profound theological statement about the nature of vows, worship, and God's faithfulness. It illustrates that true devotion involves not only spoken promises but also costly, tangible acts of obedience and surrender. Hannah's faithfulness in fulfilling her vow demonstrates a deep reverence for God's word and a recognition of His sovereignty in her life. This act of giving her "firstfruits"—her long-awaited son—to the Lord sets a powerful precedent for radical obedience and sacrificial giving, emphasizing that the most precious offerings are those that cost us something significant. It underscores the principle that God honors those who honor Him, and that our faithfulness in small things can have far-reaching implications for His kingdom purposes, ultimately shaping the spiritual landscape of a nation.

* [Deuteronomy 23:21](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21 - Fulfilling Vows to the Lord")
* [Proverbs 3:9](/proverbs/3-9 "Proverbs 3:9 - Honoring God with Your Wealth")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Presenting Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 1:25 offers a timeless challenge to contemporary believers regarding the integrity of our promises and the sincerity of our worship. Hannah's unwavering commitment to her vow, despite the emotional cost of separating from her son, calls us to examine our own faithfulness to God and to others. Do we honor our commitments, especially those made in moments of desperation or fervent prayer? The dedication of the bullock alongside Samuel reminds us that genuine worship often involves sacrifice—not just of material possessions, but of our time, talents, desires, and even our most cherished relationships, for God's glory. It prompts parents to consider how they are dedicating their children to the Lord's purposes, raising them in an atmosphere of faith and trust, and releasing them to fulfill God's unique calling on their lives, even if it means personal sacrifice. Ultimately, this verse encourages us to live lives of profound gratitude and radical obedience, trusting that God's plans for us and our families are always for our good and His greater glory, and that our acts of faithfulness, however small, can contribute to His grand redemptive narrative.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What vows or commitments have I made to God, either explicitly or implicitly, that I need to revisit and faithfully fulfill?**
* **In what areas of my life am I being called to offer a "bullock"—a costly sacrifice—to the Lord, whether it's my time, resources, or personal ambitions?**
* **How does Hannah's act of entrusting Samuel to Eli challenge my own trust in God's sovereign plan for my children or for future generations?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of dedication and surrender in my daily walk with God, reflecting the spirit of worship seen in this passage?**

### FAQ
**Why did they "slew a bullock" and not just bring Samuel?**

Answer: The slaying of a bullock was an essential part of the dedication ceremony, not merely an incidental act. In ancient Israelite worship, significant life events, especially the fulfillment of vows or the dedication of individuals, were often accompanied by specific sacrifices as prescribed by the Mosaic Law. This particular offering would likely have been a peace offering or a burnt offering, signifying thanksgiving to God for His provision of Samuel and symbolizing the complete dedication of Samuel to the Lord. The sacrifice served multiple purposes: it was an act of worship, a formal acknowledgment of God's blessing, a means of atonement, and a way to enter into fellowship with God. It underscored the sacredness and gravity of Hannah's vow and the formal transfer of Samuel into lifelong service at the tabernacle, making the dedication a covenantal act witnessed and sanctioned by God through the priestly service. This practice is rooted in the broader sacrificial system detailed in books like [Leviticus 1-7](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1-7 - Laws of Offerings") and the laws concerning vows in [Numbers 30](/numbers/30 "Numbers 30 - Laws Concerning Vows").

**How old was Samuel when he was brought to Eli?**

Answer: The text states that Samuel was brought to Eli "after she had weaned him" (1 Samuel 1:24). In ancient Israel, weaning was a much longer process than in many modern cultures, typically lasting until a child was around three to five years old, sometimes even longer. This means Samuel was not an infant, but a young child, capable of being separated from his mother and beginning to live independently, though still requiring care and instruction. His age would have allowed him to begin learning and serving in the tabernacle under Eli's guidance, as he was old enough to understand and follow basic instructions. This detail highlights the profound nature of Hannah's sacrifice, as she was giving up a child who was already a companion and not just a helpless baby.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dedication of Samuel in 1 Samuel 1:25, though a specific historical event, resonates with profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Samuel's lifelong dedication to God's service, his unique calling as a prophet, priest, and judge, and his role in ushering in a new era for Israel, all foreshadow the ultimate dedication and ministry of Jesus Christ. Just as Samuel was set apart from birth for God's purposes, so too was Jesus, the true Son of God, consecrated for His divine mission. Hannah's costly sacrifice of her beloved son, given freely to the Lord, finds its ultimate parallel in God the Father's incomprehensible sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus, for the salvation of humanity. Jesus' entire life was an act of perfect dedication and obedience, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, as He declared, "Behold, I have come to do your will, O God" ([Hebrews 10:5-7](/hebrews/10-5-7 "Hebrews 10:5-7 - Christ's Obedience and Sacrifice")). He is the true "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the ultimate "bullock" whose sacrifice perfectly fulfills all the Old Testament offerings. Furthermore, Samuel's transition from his mother's care to serving in God's house prefigures Christ's own humble incarnation and His subsequent life of perfect obedience and service, ultimately leading to His exaltation (as described in [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")). Through Christ, we too are called to be living sacrifices, dedicating our lives to God's service (as exhorted in [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")), finding our ultimate purpose and fulfillment in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 18:15

¶ And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when [his] disciples saw [it], they rebuked them.

Luke 18:16

But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Luke 2:22

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord;