1 Samuel 1 20

1 Samuel 1:20 kjv

Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.

1 Samuel 1:20 nkjv

So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him from the LORD."

1 Samuel 1:20 niv

So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."

1 Samuel 1:20 esv

And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD."

1 Samuel 1:20 nlt

and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, "I asked the LORD for him."

1 Samuel 1 verses

1 Samuel 1 20 Meaning

First Samuel chapter one, verse twenty details the culmination of Hannah's fervent prayer and divine intervention. It states that "in the course of time," God honored Hannah's deep desire and opened her womb, leading to her pregnancy and the birth of a son. She named him Samuel, explaining the choice by declaring, "Because I asked the Lord for him." This verse underscores the fulfillment of a prayer, the divine timing of God, and the symbolic significance of names in reflecting circumstances, faith, and God's work.

1 Samuel 1 20 Context

First Samuel chapter 1 narrates the fervent prayer of Hannah, who was one of Elkanah's two wives. Hannah was barren, a deep source of sorrow and cultural shame, further exacerbated by her rival wife, Peninnah, who had children and often taunted Hannah. Distressed, Hannah annually wept at Shiloh, the central place of worship, where she poured out her heart before the Lord. She made a solemn vow: if the Lord would grant her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord for his entire life as a Nazirite. Eli the priest initially misunderstood her fervent, silent prayer as drunkenness but later blessed her. Verse 20 represents the immediate answer to that desperate, faithful prayer. This event is pivotal as it introduces Samuel, who would become a key prophet, judge, and the one who anointed Israel's first two kings, Saul and David, thereby inaugurating the monarchy in Israel. Historically, this occurs during the period of the Judges, a time marked by spiritual decline, as exemplified by the wickedness of Eli's sons, making Samuel's birth and subsequent dedication a significant beacon of hope and a divine intervention for Israel.

1 Samuel 1 20 Word analysis

• So: (Hebrew: וַיְהִי - va·ye·hi) This introductory particle, often translated as "and it was," or "it came to pass," indicates a sequential event and often carries a sense of God's hand bringing something to fruition. It implies a divine connection to the unfolding of events, suggesting purpose and outcome rather than mere chance.
• in the course of time: (Hebrew: מִקֵּץ יָמִים - miq·qets ya·mim, literally "at the end of days" or "at the turning of the days/year"). This phrase points to a significant period or the completion of a cycle. It conveys divine timing and patience, implying that God's plan unfolds according to His perfect schedule, rather than immediately fulfilling the request. It suggests a time that God has ordained for His purpose to be accomplished.
• Hannah: (Hebrew: חַנָּה - Channah) Meaning "favor" or "grace." Her name, though bestowed at birth, is ironically linked to the favor she later received from God in her barrenness.
• became pregnant and gave birth: The natural progression of a miracle, emphasizing the divine reversal of Hannah's barren state. This phrasing highlights the physiological reality of the answered prayer.
• a son: The direct answer to her specific plea (1 Sam 1:11). The emphasis is on the gender, as sons were crucial for inheritance and continuity of lineage in ancient Israelite culture.
• She named him Samuel: The act of naming in the ancient Near East was profound. It often reflected the circumstances of birth, a parent's hopes, or a prophetic declaration. Here, Hannah's naming solidifies the testimony of God's intervention.
• Samuel: (Hebrew: שְׁמוּאֵל - Shmu'el). The verse explicitly provides Hannah's folk etymology for the name, linking it to the Hebrew verb sha'al. Scholarly debate exists regarding the precise linguistic origin ("name of God," "heard of God"), but the narrative meaning provided by Hannah herself is paramount for the context of 1 Samuel.
• saying, 'Because I asked the Lord for him.': (Hebrew: כִּי מֵיְהוָה שְׁאִלְתִּיו - ki mê·YHWH shə'il·tiw, literally "for from YHWH I asked him"). This direct quotation provides Hannah's explanation for the name, directly connecting it to her prayer (sha'al). This links the name Samuel directly to her "asking" from the Lord, validating her faith and emphasizing God's response to her petition.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "So in the course of time... a son": This phrase emphasizes divine initiative and timing. Despite the initial distress and the prolonged period of barrenness, God's promise unfolded at the appropriate time. It highlights God's sovereignty over biological processes and human circumstances. It teaches that while humans pray fervently, God responds according to His perfect counsel and timeline.
• "She named him Samuel, saying, 'Because I asked the Lord for him.'": This is the climax of Hannah's personal struggle and triumph. The naming acts as a personal theological statement, a perpetual reminder and testimony that God answers prayer. The repetition of the root sha'al (to ask) in both Samuel's name and Hannah's explanation underscores the direct link between her fervent supplication and God's gracious response. It also subtly prepares the reader for Samuel's own role later as someone "lent" or "asked" back to the Lord (1 Sam 1:28).

1 Samuel 1 20 Bonus section

The concept of a child's name being intrinsically linked to the circumstances of their birth or a parental prayer is a recurring motif in the Bible, reflecting the worldview that names hold significance beyond mere labels. Hannah's naming of Samuel solidifies the "answered prayer" motif, not just for herself but also for the subsequent biblical narrative. Furthermore, this verse subtly hints at the Nazirite vow mentioned in 1 Sam 1:11, as the name Samuel implicitly carries the weight of a dedication made "to the Lord." Hannah's promise to lend Samuel back to the Lord (1 Sam 1:28) shows a beautiful spiritual reciprocity, where what is "asked" is also "given" in devotion. This sets the stage for Samuel's prophetic and priestly ministry, highlighting how God prepares individuals for their divine calling, even before their birth, in response to the faithful prayers of His people. The narrative portrays the active engagement of a caring God who is not distant but intimately involved in the barrenness and prayers of His children, remembering them (1 Sam 1:19) and acting in their lives for His redemptive purposes.

1 Samuel 1 20 Commentary

1 Samuel 1:20 marks the turning point in Hannah's long suffering and introduces the figure of Samuel, whose life will significantly impact Israel's history. The phrase "in the course of time" underscores that God operates on His own timeline, not necessarily instantly, but certainly. This patience and perfect timing speak to God's sovereign control over life and circumstances. Hannah's act of naming Samuel, declaring "Because I asked the Lord for him," serves as a deeply personal and public testimony of her prayer being heard and answered by God. The very name Samuel ("asked of God" or "heard of God") becomes a living memorial to God's faithfulness and Hannah's unyielding faith, despite years of pain. This verse is not merely a record of a birth; it is a profound declaration that prayer, born of faith and desperation, genuinely moves the heart of God, culminating in a miraculous intervention that births a nation's prophet. It exemplifies how personal faith and answered prayer can be the catalyst for pivotal moments in redemptive history, changing individual lives and, through them, shaping entire nations. For instance, just as Hannah presented Samuel, believers today are called to dedicate their lives, resources, and gifts to the Lord, trusting Him to use them for His greater purposes, embodying the truth that what is "asked of the Lord" should ultimately be "lent to the Lord."