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 profound declaration to Eli the priest, a moment of triumphant fulfillment as she presents her long-awaited son, Samuel, to the Lord. This verse stands as a powerful testament to the efficacy of fervent prayer, 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 is the 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 ([1 Samuel 1:24-26](/1_samuel/1-24 "Hannah's return to Shiloh")). 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 stage for Samuel's dedication and service in the tabernacle ([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 "Hannah's Prayer of Thanksgiving"), which broadens the scope from her personal experience to God's universal sovereignty and redemptive plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Shiloh, the central place of worship for Israel before the establishment of the monarchy, where the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant resided. Barrenness in ancient Israel was a profound source of shame and sorrow for women, often perceived as a divine curse or 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 extremely serious and binding, requiring faithful fulfillment (cf. [Deuteronomy 23:21](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Fulfilling vows to the Lord")). The dedication of a child, especially 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 "The Nazirite Vow")). Hannah's actions reflect the societal and religious gravity of such commitments.
* **Key Themes:** 1 Samuel 1:27 powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes of the book. Foremost is the theme of **answered prayer** and **divine intervention**, demonstrating God's attentiveness to the cries of the afflicted and His active involvement in human affairs. It underscores **God's faithfulness** to His promises, contrasting with the unfaithfulness of Eli's sons later in the narrative. The verse also highlights the **importance of fulfilling vows** made to God, emphasizing integrity and obedience in covenant relationship. Furthermore, Samuel's miraculous birth and dedication, initiated by this 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 decline, ultimately leading to the anointing of Israel's first kings, a theme explored throughout [1 Samuel](/1_samuel "The Rise of the Monarchy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prayed (Hebrew, _hitpallel_):** This verb, derived from the root פלל (palal), means "to intervene, intercede, pray." The Hithpael stem (reflexive/reciprocal) emphasizes the intensity and self-directed nature of Hannah's prayer – she poured out her soul before the Lord, engaging deeply and personally in her petition. It signifies not a casual request but a fervent, earnest supplication, reflecting her anguish and desperate hope.
* **Given (Hebrew, _nātan_):** This common Hebrew verb means "to give, place, set, allow." In this context, it signifies God's active bestowing of the requested blessing. It highlights God's sovereign agency and generosity in responding to Hannah's prayer, emphasizing that Samuel's birth was not a natural occurrence but a direct, divine gift.
* **Petition (Hebrew, _she'elah_):** Derived from the verb שאל (sha'al), "to ask, inquire, borrow," this noun specifically refers to a request or petition. Its close linguistic connection to the name "Samuel" (שְׁמוּאֵל, Shemu'el), which can mean "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 embodiment of her prayer and God's answer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For this child I prayed;":** Hannah begins by unequivocally stating the direct cause and effect. The child, Samuel, is the specific object of her fervent, long-standing prayer. This clause emphasizes her deep personal investment and the divine origin of Samuel's existence, underscoring that his birth was a direct answer to her anguished supplication, not merely a natural event. It 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 highlights God's active role in fulfilling Hannah's desire. The use of "the LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes God's covenant faithfulness and personal involvement. It is not a generic deity but the 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.
* **"which I asked of him:":** This concluding phrase serves as a powerful confirmation and reiteration. It reinforces the direct correlation between Hannah's specific request and God's specific answer. The repetition of "asked" (implied in "petition" and explicit here) underscores the deliberate and intentional nature of both Hannah's prayer and God's response. It seals the testimony, leaving no doubt that Samuel is the miraculous, prayed-for child, a living testament to divine faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Repetition** of the concept of "asking" and "petition" (implied in "prayed" and explicit in "petition" and "asked") serves to underscore the direct connection between Hannah's fervent prayer and God's precise answer, reinforcing the theme of answered prayer. The entire statement functions as a powerful **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. 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 role he will play in Israel's history as a prophet and judge, a role shaped by his divine origin and dedication.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical truth that God hears and responds to the prayers of His people, especially those offered in faith and humility. It portrays God as intimately involved in the lives of individuals, not merely a distant cosmic force. Hannah's experience serves as a powerful example of persistent prayer and the integrity required in fulfilling vows made to God. Her dedication of Samuel underscores the principle that all good gifts come from God and should be consecrated back to Him for His purposes. 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.

* [Psalm 66:19-20](/psalm/66-19 "God has surely heard me")
* [Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7 "Ask, and it will be given to you")
* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4 "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 challenge for contemporary believers. It calls us to cultivate a life of earnest, persistent prayer, believing 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, reminds us of the importance of integrity in our promises to God and others. This verse invites 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 acknowledge God's hand in them. It prompts 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 comes from living in alignment with His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "petitions" are you currently bringing before the Lord with persistent faith, like Hannah?**
* **How does Hannah's faithfulness in fulfilling her vow challenge your own commitments and promises to God?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God answering a specific prayer, and how have you acknowledged His hand in that answer?**
* **How can you dedicate your "answered prayers" or unique gifts 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, continuation of the family line, and social status. Barrenness was often seen as a curse or a sign of divine displeasure, bringing immense personal sorrow and social stigma to the woman. For Hannah, it was compounded by her rival Peninnah's taunts ([1 Samuel 1:6](/1_samuel/1-6 "Peninnah's provocation")), making her inability to conceive a source of deep emotional distress and public humiliation. Her longing for a child was not just personal but deeply intertwined with her identity and standing within her community and before 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 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 was not explicitly called a Nazirite in the text, certain elements align: 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), and his service at the tabernacle. This suggests that Hannah's vow, while perhaps not a formal Nazirite vow, was a profound act of consecration that mirrored its spirit, setting Samuel apart for sacred service from birth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hannah's experience, culminating in the declaration of 1 Samuel 1:27, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus Christ. Just as Samuel was the "asked-for one," a divine gift born through miraculous intervention to serve God's 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 need and God's eternal plan. Hannah's prayer for a son, and her subsequent dedication of him, prefigures the Father's ultimate sacrifice of His own Son for the redemption of humanity. Her song of thanksgiving in [1 Samuel 2:1-10](/1_samuel/2-1 "Hannah's Prayer") prophetically speaks of God exalting the humble and bringing down the proud, themes perfectly embodied in Christ's incarnation, humble life, atoning death, and 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 "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 "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.