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1 Samuel 1:28

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Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

Therefore also I have lent {H7592} him to the LORD {H3068}; as long as he liveth {H3117} he shall be lent {H7592} to the LORD {H3068}. And he worshipped {H7812} the LORD {H3068} there.

Therefore, I too have loaned him to ADONAI - as long as he lives, he is on loan to ADONAI."And he prostrated himself there before ADONAI.

I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.

therefore also I have granted him to Jehovah; as long as he liveth he is granted to Jehovah. And he worshipped Jehovah there.

Commentary

Context

This verse marks the profound culmination of Hannah's fervent prayer and solemn vow to the Lord. After years of barrenness and deep distress, as recorded in 1 Samuel 1:10, Hannah promised that if God would grant her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord for his entire life. God answered her prayer, and Samuel was born. Here, after Samuel was weaned (typically around three years old in that culture), Hannah faithfully brings him to the tabernacle in Shiloh, presenting him to the priest Eli, thereby fulfilling her promise. It is a powerful testament to her integrity and deep faith.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Vows: The verse highlights the critical importance of keeping promises made to God. Hannah's integrity in dedicating Samuel demonstrates a profound reverence for her covenant with the Lord.
  • Lifelong Dedication: Samuel's life is set apart for God's service from his earliest years, establishing a pattern of complete surrender and commitment to divine purposes. This dedication was not temporary but "as long as he liveth."
  • Parental Sacrifice and Trust: Hannah's act was an immense personal sacrifice, giving up her only son to serve in the temple. It exemplifies profound trust in God's sovereignty and His plan for her child.
  • Early Worship: The final phrase, "And he worshipped the LORD there," likely refers to Samuel, even as a young child, participating in or being presented in an act of worship, signifying his immediate spiritual posture and the beginning of his devoted life.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word translated "lent" in "I have lent him to the LORD" is sha'al (שָׁאַל). This word is directly connected to Samuel's Hebrew name, Shemu'el (שְׁמוּאֵל), which can be interpreted as "heard of God" (referring to God hearing Hannah's prayer) or "asked of God." Hannah literally "asked for" (sha'al) a son, and now she "lends" or "returns" him to God as "asked of God." This beautiful wordplay underscores the divine hand in Samuel's birth and his subsequent dedication as a lifelong servant.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today:

  • Integrity in Promises: We are called to be faithful in keeping our vows and commitments, especially those made to God. Our word should be trustworthy.
  • Dedication and Surrender: Hannah's example challenges us to consider what we might be holding back from God. True dedication involves surrendering our most precious possessions or aspects of our lives to His service, trusting in His good plan. This resonates with the New Testament call to present our bodies as living sacrifices.
  • Trusting God with Our Children: For parents, Hannah's act is a model of entrusting children to God's care and purpose, recognizing that they are ultimately His.
  • Responding to Divine Calling: Just as Samuel was set apart for a unique purpose, each believer has a divine calling. His story foreshadows his future role as a great prophet and judge, beginning with his early spiritual formation, as later seen in his calling by the Lord in 1 Samuel 3:10.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 24:26 (7 votes)

    And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.

  • Genesis 24:52 (5 votes)

    And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, [bowing himself] to the earth.

  • 2 Timothy 3:15 (3 votes)

    And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

  • 1 Samuel 1:11 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Genesis 24:48 (1 votes)

    And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.

  • 1 Samuel 1:22 (0 votes)

    But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, [I will not go up] until the child be weaned, and [then] I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.