1 Samuel 1:27

KJV

For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

KJV (with Strong's)

For this child {H5288} I prayed {H6419}; and the LORD {H3068} hath given {H5414} me my petition {H7596} which I asked {H7592} of him:

Complete Jewish Bible

I prayed for this child, and ADONAI has granted the request I asked of him.

Berean Standard Bible

I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him,

American Standard Version

For this child I prayed; and Jehovah hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 1:27 captures Hannah's triumphant declaration to Eli the priest, marking the profound fulfillment of her fervent prayer as she presents her long-awaited son, Samuel, to the Lord. This pivotal verse stands as a powerful testament to the efficacy of earnest supplication, God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, and Hannah's integrity in honoring the solemn vow she made in her season of deep distress and yearning. It encapsulates the culmination of her personal narrative and foreshadows the divine purpose for the child she dedicated.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the profound climax of Hannah's personal narrative within the broader introductory chapter of 1 Samuel. It immediately follows Hannah's arrival at Shiloh with her family and the young Samuel, where she identifies herself to Eli as the woman who had previously prayed there with a troubled spirit, confirming her identity and the reason for her presence (compare [1 Samuel 1:24-26](/1_samuel/1-24-26 "Hannah's Return to Shiloh and Identification to Eli")). Her declaration in verse 27 directly confirms the fulfillment of her vow made in [1 Samuel 1:11](/1_samuel/1-11 "Hannah's Solemn Vow for a Son") and Eli's blessing in [1 Samuel 1:17](/1_samuel/1-17 "Eli's Blessing on Hannah"). The verse sets the immediate stage for Samuel's dedication and lifelong service in the tabernacle, as explicitly stated in [1 Samuel 1:28](/1_samuel/1-28 "Samuel's Dedication to the Lord"), and precedes Hannah's magnificent prayer of thanksgiving and prophecy in [1 Samuel 2:1-10](/1_samuel/2-1-10 "Hannah's Prayer of Thanksgiving and Prophecy"), which broadens the scope from her personal experience to God's universal sovereignty and redemptive plan for Israel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this profound interaction is Shiloh, which served as the central place of worship for Israel during the period of the Judges, housing the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. Barrenness in ancient Israel was a profound source of shame, sorrow, and social stigma for women, often perceived as a divine curse or a sign of disfavor, making Hannah's plight deeply empathetic (cf. [Genesis 30:1](/genesis/30-1 "Rachel's Distress Over Barrenness")). Vows made to God were considered exceptionally serious and legally binding within Israelite society, requiring faithful fulfillment (cf. [Deuteronomy 23:21](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Fulfilling Vows to the Lord")). The dedication of a child, particularly a firstborn or one born in response to a specific vow, was a significant act of devotion, sometimes involving lifelong service, as seen in the Nazirite vow (cf. [Numbers 6:1-21](/numbers/6-1-21 "The Nazirite Vow")). Hannah's actions reflect the immense societal and religious gravity of such commitments, demonstrating her exemplary piety and integrity.

* **Key Themes:** 1 Samuel 1:27 powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes that resonate throughout the book of Samuel and beyond. Foremost is the theme of **answered prayer** and **divine intervention**, demonstrating God's attentive ear to the cries of the afflicted and His active, sovereign involvement in human affairs. It underscores **God's faithfulness** to His promises, a stark contrast to the later unfaithfulness of Eli's sons and the broader spiritual decline of the era. The verse also highlights the **importance of fulfilling vows** made to God, emphasizing integrity, obedience, and the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship. Furthermore, Samuel's miraculous birth and subsequent dedication, initiated by Hannah's prayer and declaration, is a pivotal moment in **divine providence**, setting in motion God's plan to raise up a righteous leader and prophet in a time of spiritual and political disarray. This act ultimately leads to the anointing of Israel's first kings, a foundational theme explored throughout [1 Samuel](/1_samuel "The Rise of the Monarchy and God's Sovereignty").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Child (Hebrew, _naʻar_):** This word (H5288) refers to a boy, from infancy to adolescence, and can also imply a servant. In Hannah's declaration, it emphasizes Samuel's youth and vulnerability, highlighting the miraculous nature of his birth and the immense sacrifice involved in dedicating such a young child to the Lord's service. The term underscores that this specific young male, the object of her prayer, is now being presented.
* **Prayed (Hebrew, _pâlal_):** Derived from the root פלל (palal), this verb (H6419) in its Hithpael stem (_hitpallel_) signifies "to intercede, to pray," often with an emphasis on the intensity and self-directed nature of the action. Hannah's prayer was not a casual request but a fervent, earnest supplication, a pouring out of her soul before the Lord (cf. [1 Samuel 1:15](/1_samuel/1-15 "Hannah's Prayer as Pouring Out Her Soul")), reflecting her deep anguish and desperate hope. This Hithpael form underscores her personal engagement and the profound spiritual effort invested in her petition.
* **Petition (Hebrew, _shᵉʼêlâh_):** This noun (H7596), derived from the verb שָׁאַל (_shâʼal_), meaning "to ask, inquire," specifically refers to a request or petition. Its close linguistic connection to the name "Samuel" (שְׁמוּאֵל, _Shemu'el_), which can be interpreted as "heard of God" or "asked of God," is a profound literary and theological link. Hannah's statement literally means "this child is the petition I asked," making Samuel a living, tangible embodiment of her prayer and God's gracious answer, a walking testament to divine responsiveness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For this child I prayed;":** Hannah opens her declaration with a direct and emphatic statement, establishing an undeniable cause-and-effect relationship. The child, Samuel, is the specific and singular object of her fervent, long-standing prayer. This clause underscores her deep personal investment and the divine origin of Samuel's existence, emphasizing that his birth was a direct, miraculous answer to her anguished supplication, not merely a natural occurrence. It powerfully recalls her earlier vow in [1 Samuel 1:11](/1_samuel/1-11 "Hannah's Vow for a Son") and her intense weeping before the Lord.
* **"and the LORD hath given me my petition":** This clause immediately follows, highlighting God's active and sovereign role in fulfilling Hannah's deepest desire. The use of "the LORD" (Yahweh, H3068) emphasizes God's covenant faithfulness, personal involvement, and omnipotent power. It is not a generic deity but the personal God of Israel who has responded. The phrase "hath given me my petition" directly affirms God's gracious and powerful intervention, demonstrating His attentiveness to the cries of His people and His ability to grant what is asked of Him, thereby validating Hannah's faith.
* **"which I asked of him:":** This concluding phrase serves as a powerful confirmation and reiteration, sealing Hannah's testimony. It reinforces the precise correlation between Hannah's specific request and God's specific answer. The repetition of the concept of "asking" (implied in "petition" and explicit here) underscores the deliberate and intentional nature of both Hannah's focused prayer and God's precise, faithful response. This final affirmation leaves no doubt that Samuel is indeed the miraculously prayed-for child, a living testament to God's faithfulness and the power of intercessory prayer.

#### Literary Devices
The verse masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The **Repetition** of the concept of "asking" and "petition" (implied in "prayed" and explicitly stated in "petition" and "asked") serves to underscore the direct and undeniable connection between Hannah's fervent prayer and God's precise answer, powerfully reinforcing the central theme of answered prayer. The entire statement functions as a compelling **Testimony**, a personal declaration of God's faithfulness and power, intended to bear witness to Eli and, by extension, to all who hear or read the narrative, providing an enduring example of divine responsiveness. Furthermore, the verse contains subtle **Foreshadowing**; the very act of dedicating Samuel, the "asked-for one," to the Lord for lifelong service hints at the significant and pivotal role he will play in Israel's history as a prophet and judge, a destiny shaped by his miraculous divine origin and early dedication.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical truth that God is not a distant, indifferent deity but one who hears, cares, and actively responds to the prayers of His people, especially those offered in faith, humility, and earnestness. It portrays God as intimately involved in the lives of individuals, sovereignly orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes. Hannah's experience serves as a powerful example of persistent prayer and the integrity required in fulfilling vows made to God, demonstrating that true faith is accompanied by faithful obedience. Her dedication of Samuel underscores the profound theological principle that all good gifts come from God and should, in turn, be consecrated back to Him for His service and glory. The narrative arc of Hannah's barrenness to blessing, culminating in Samuel's birth, foreshadows a broader divine pattern of exalting the humble and bringing down the proud, a theme beautifully articulated in Hannah's subsequent prayer and throughout biblical history.

* [Psalm 66:19-20](/psalm/66-19-20 "God Has Surely Heard My Voice")
* [Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7-8 "Ask, and It Will Be Given to You")
* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4-5 "When You Make a Vow to God, Do Not Delay to Fulfill It")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hannah's declaration in 1 Samuel 1:27 offers profound encouragement and a challenging call to action for contemporary believers. It invites us to cultivate a life characterized by earnest, persistent prayer, rooted in the unwavering belief that God is not only capable but willing to hear and respond to our deepest longings according to His perfect will and timing. Her unwavering commitment to her vow, even when it meant a significant personal sacrifice in parting with her only son, reminds us of the paramount importance of integrity in our promises to God and to others. This verse prompts us to reflect on the "Samuels" in our own lives – the specific answers to prayer, the unique gifts, or the divine interventions we have experienced – and to pause and acknowledge God's faithful hand in them. Furthermore, it challenges us to consider how we might, like Hannah, dedicate our blessings, our children, our talents, and our resources back to the Lord for His service and glory, recognizing that true fulfillment and purpose are found in living in alignment with His divine purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "petitions" are you currently bringing before the Lord with persistent faith, much like Hannah?**
* **How does Hannah's faithfulness in fulfilling her vow challenge your own commitments and promises made to God?**
* **In what specific ways have you experienced God answering a prayer, and how have you acknowledged His hand in that answer?**
* **How can you dedicate your "answered prayers" or unique gifts, talents, and resources back to the Lord for His service and glory today?**

### FAQ
**Why was Hannah's barrenness such a significant issue in ancient Israel?**

Answer: In ancient Israelite society, childbearing, especially the birth of sons, was highly valued as a sign of divine blessing, a means of continuing the family line, and a source of social status and honor. Barrenness was often seen as a curse or a sign of divine displeasure, bringing immense personal sorrow, emotional distress, and significant social stigma to the woman. For Hannah, this plight was compounded by her rival Peninnah's taunts and provocations ([1 Samuel 1:6](/1_samuel/1-6 "Peninnah's Provocation")), making her inability to conceive a source of deep emotional anguish and public humiliation. Her longing for a child was not just personal but deeply intertwined with her identity, her standing within her community, and her perceived relationship with God.

**How does Hannah's vow relate to the Nazirite vow?**

Answer: Hannah's vow in [1 Samuel 1:11](/1_samuel/1-11 "Hannah's Vow") shares striking similarities with the Nazirite vow described in [Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "The Nazirite Vow"), particularly in the dedication of a person to the Lord for a specific period or for life. While Samuel is not explicitly called a Nazirite in the text, certain elements of Hannah's vow align closely with Nazirite regulations: his lifelong dedication to the Lord's service, the command that "no razor shall touch his head" (implied by "no razor shall come upon his head" in [1 Samuel 1:11](/1_samuel/1-11 "Hannah's Vow")), and his subsequent service at the tabernacle. This suggests that Hannah's vow, while perhaps not a formal, legal Nazirite vow in every detail, was a profound act of consecration that mirrored its spirit, setting Samuel apart for sacred service to God from his very birth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hannah's profound experience, culminating in the triumphant declaration of 1 Samuel 1:27, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Samuel was the "asked-for one," a divine gift born through miraculous intervention to serve God's specific purposes, Jesus is the ultimate "Gift" from God, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), given in response to humanity's deepest spiritual need and in accordance with God's eternal redemptive plan. Hannah's fervent prayer for a son, and her subsequent sacrificial dedication of him to the Lord, prefigures the Father's ultimate and unparalleled sacrifice of His own Son for the redemption of humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World")). Furthermore, Hannah's magnificent song of thanksgiving in [1 Samuel 2:1-10](/1_samuel/2-1-10 "Hannah's Prayer of Thanksgiving"), which immediately follows this dedication, prophetically speaks of God exalting the humble and bringing down the proud. These themes are perfectly embodied in Christ's incarnation, His humble life of service, His atoning death, and His glorious resurrection, which ultimately brings down the powers of sin and death and exalts those who believe in Him ([Philippians 2:5-11](/philippians/2-5-11 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Thus, Samuel, the child of prayer dedicated to God, points beyond himself to the One through whom all of God's promises find their definitive "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "All God's Promises are 'Yes' in Christ")).

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

1 John 5:15

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Psalms 118:5

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place.

1 Samuel 1:11

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

1 Samuel 1:13

Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

Psalms 116:1

¶ I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications.

Psalms 116:5

Gracious [is] the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God [is] merciful.

Psalms 66:19

[But] verily God hath heard [me]; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.