Hannah postponed her journey to Shiloh so that she could raise Samuel until he was ready, then she fulfilled her vow by presenting him to serve the LORD for life.
When describing Hannah’s devotion, the scripture states that “But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, ‘I will not go up until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD and stay there forever’” (v.22). In the immediate context, Hannah and her husband Elkanah lived in Israel during the 11th century B.C., around the period of the judges, when the tabernacle for worshiping God resided in Shiloh. Hannah had previously been barren, and after fervent prayer, she miraculously conceived and gave birth to Samuel (1 Samuel 1:20). This verse emphasizes her steadfast intent to dedicate her child to God once he was old enough to leave her care. Hannah’s words conveyed how seriously she regarded her promise to God, trusting that Samuel was His gift and that he belonged first and foremost to the LORD’s service.
The phrase “until the child is weaned” (v.22) reflects a customary practice in ancient Israel, where a mother typically breastfed her child for several years. During this time, Hannah stayed at home rather than traveling to the annual sacrificial feast in Shiloh, demonstrating her singular focus on preparing Samuel for the holy purpose she had vowed. By stating that “he may appear before the LORD and stay there forever” (v.22), Hannah made clear her desire that her son would dwell in God’s presence from a young age, under the care of the priestly authorities. Her devotion also foreshadows a pattern of dedicating children to God’s work, akin to how believers in the New Testament acknowledge all children as precious gifts to be offered to the Lord’s will (Luke 2:22).
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1 Samuel 1:22 meaning
When describing Hannah’s devotion, the scripture states that “But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, ‘I will not go up until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD and stay there forever’” (v.22). In the immediate context, Hannah and her husband Elkanah lived in Israel during the 11th century B.C., around the period of the judges, when the tabernacle for worshiping God resided in Shiloh. Hannah had previously been barren, and after fervent prayer, she miraculously conceived and gave birth to Samuel (1 Samuel 1:20). This verse emphasizes her steadfast intent to dedicate her child to God once he was old enough to leave her care. Hannah’s words conveyed how seriously she regarded her promise to God, trusting that Samuel was His gift and that he belonged first and foremost to the LORD’s service.
The phrase “until the child is weaned” (v.22) reflects a customary practice in ancient Israel, where a mother typically breastfed her child for several years. During this time, Hannah stayed at home rather than traveling to the annual sacrificial feast in Shiloh, demonstrating her singular focus on preparing Samuel for the holy purpose she had vowed. By stating that “he may appear before the LORD and stay there forever” (v.22), Hannah made clear her desire that her son would dwell in God’s presence from a young age, under the care of the priestly authorities. Her devotion also foreshadows a pattern of dedicating children to God’s work, akin to how believers in the New Testament acknowledge all children as precious gifts to be offered to the Lord’s will (Luke 2:22).