God's steady provision for Hannah and Elkanah reminds us that devoted service to Him cannot outstrip His generosity.
Eli’s words to Elkanah and Hannah appear immediately after they have shown their faithful devotion by bringing their young son, Samuel, to serve the LORD at the tabernacle in Shiloh. The verse states, “Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, ‘May the LORD give you children from this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD.’ And they went to their own home.” (v.20). Here, Eli, who served as the priest and final judge of Israel around the late 12th to early 11th century B.C., invokes God’s favor upon this couple, trusting that He will reward Hannah’s sacrificial act of giving her firstborn son to God’s service. Shiloh itself lay in the central highlands of Israel, a place where the ark of the covenant rested before the Temple era.
In this blessing, Eli recognizes the profound faith entwined in Hannah’s decision. Hannah had desperately prayed for a child, promising that if the LORD answered her plea, she would dedicate that child to serve Him for life (1 Samuel 1:11). Elkanah stood by her side in this vow. Their story foreshadows in some small way the theme of humble obedience exalting a life that glorifies God—an idea carried through into the New Testament in Mary’s own prayer (Luke 1:46-55). By blessing them to have additional children, Eli confirms that the LORD sees and honors acts of devotion. In time, the text reveals that Hannah was indeed blessed with more sons and daughters, underlining God’s gracious abundance toward those who trust Him.
The dedication of Samuel, who lived circa 11th century B.C. and later anointed Israel’s first kings, was a vital turning point in Israel’s history, bridging the era of the judges and the coming monarchy. Through Eli’s blessing, we observe the LORD once again working through imperfect but sincere hearts to further His grand design for His chosen people.
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1 Samuel 2:20 meaning
Eli’s words to Elkanah and Hannah appear immediately after they have shown their faithful devotion by bringing their young son, Samuel, to serve the LORD at the tabernacle in Shiloh. The verse states, “Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, ‘May the LORD give you children from this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD.’ And they went to their own home.” (v.20). Here, Eli, who served as the priest and final judge of Israel around the late 12th to early 11th century B.C., invokes God’s favor upon this couple, trusting that He will reward Hannah’s sacrificial act of giving her firstborn son to God’s service. Shiloh itself lay in the central highlands of Israel, a place where the ark of the covenant rested before the Temple era.
In this blessing, Eli recognizes the profound faith entwined in Hannah’s decision. Hannah had desperately prayed for a child, promising that if the LORD answered her plea, she would dedicate that child to serve Him for life (1 Samuel 1:11). Elkanah stood by her side in this vow. Their story foreshadows in some small way the theme of humble obedience exalting a life that glorifies God—an idea carried through into the New Testament in Mary’s own prayer (Luke 1:46-55). By blessing them to have additional children, Eli confirms that the LORD sees and honors acts of devotion. In time, the text reveals that Hannah was indeed blessed with more sons and daughters, underlining God’s gracious abundance toward those who trust Him.
The dedication of Samuel, who lived circa 11th century B.C. and later anointed Israel’s first kings, was a vital turning point in Israel’s history, bridging the era of the judges and the coming monarchy. Through Eli’s blessing, we observe the LORD once again working through imperfect but sincere hearts to further His grand design for His chosen people.