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1 Samuel 1:27 meaning

Hannah’s persistent prayer to God resulted in a faithful answer.

Hannah, a devout woman from the hill country of Ephraim in ancient Israel, had long prayed for a son. She brought her request before the LORD at the tabernacle in Shiloh, a city north of Jerusalem that housed the ark of the covenant and served as the spiritual hub of Israel during the period of the judges (around the 11th century BC). Describing her answered prayer, she declares, “For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him” (v.27). This statement frames Hannah’s gratitude, highlighting that she attributed her son’s birth solely to God’s merciful intervention. Filled with reverence, Hannah pledged that because God had fulfilled her plea, she would devote her son Samuel to service in the house of the LORD.

The verse emphasizes Hannah’s faithfulness and God’s attentive response. When she proclaims, “the LORD has given me my petition” (v.27), it suggests that the God of Israel not only hears His people’s cries but also compassionately answers in His timing. Samuel, the boy given in response to Hannah’s earnest prayer, would later become Israel’s final judge and a significant prophet. Born around 1105 BC, his leadership would bridge the era of the judges and the inauguration of Israel’s monarchy. The narrative demonstrates that God honors sincere and persistent devotion, as Hannah’s humility was essential to her receiving an answer.

Hannah’s vow and subsequent words resonate throughout Scripture, reminding believers that heartfelt prayer can lead to miraculous outcomes (Matthew 7:7). Her declaration, “For this boy I prayed” (v.27), also foreshadows the New Testament principle of placing faith in God’s power rather than human ability. Much like Mary, the mother of Jesus, who exalted the LORD’s work in her life (Luke 1:46-49), Hannah acknowledged that her child came from the gracious hand of God. By setting Samuel apart, Hannah points to a deeper truth about dedicating one’s blessings back to the LORD, trusting that He will use them for His greater purpose.

1 Samuel 1:27