Hannah cried out to the LORD for a son and God said, “Yes.” When she asked God for the son, she also made a promise: “You give me a son and I will give him back to you – dedicated to you for his whole life.” Now, the question is this: “Will Hannah keep her promise to God?”
The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer a sacrifice to the LORD. But Hannah did not go. She told her husband, "Wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him there with the LORD permanently. [I will offer him as a Nazirite for all time.]" "Whatever you think is best," Elkanah agreed. "Stay here for now, and may the LORD help you keep your promise." So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned. (1 Samuel 1:21-23 NLT)
The story leads us to wonder whether she will follow-through or not. Going to the Tabernacle is an annual family thing for them. Granted, her child is not more than 3 months old at this time. Travel would not be fun. Could there be more to it though? Could it be that Hannah doesn’t want to face God, talk to God’s representative (the priest), or be reminded of her promise. She told God that she would bring her son and turn him over to God for his whole life. Now that she holds her baby boy in her arms, that part of the prayer seems harder and harder to live with. So, she doesn’t go. What happens next?
When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine. After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. "Sir, do you remember me?" Hannah asked. "I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the LORD. I asked the LORD to give me this boy, and He has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life." And they worshiped the LORD there. (1 Samuel 1:24-28 NLT)
Whether Hannah struggled or not, we do not know. The battles in her mind may never be made known to us. We may never hear the private conversations she had with her husband about this decision. What we do know, however, is that she was faithful. She kept her promise. She trusted God as her King.
How about you? Do you fight the battles in your mind so you will be faithful to God, keep your promises, and trust God as your King?
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