1 Samuel 1 24

1 Samuel 1:24 kjv

And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.

1 Samuel 1:24 nkjv

Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young.

1 Samuel 1:24 niv

After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh.

1 Samuel 1:24 esv

And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. And the child was young.

1 Samuel 1:24 nlt

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.

1 Samuel 1 verses

1 Samuel 1 24 Meaning

First Samuel 1:24 details Hannah's faithful act of fulfilling her solemn vow to the Lord. After Samuel was weaned, she diligently brought him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. Her dedication was accompanied by generous and substantial sacrificial offerings—three bulls, an ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine—presented to the Lord, thereby committing her young son for lifelong service as she had promised God. This act marks the precise and costly fulfillment of her earlier pledge.

1 Samuel 1 24 Context

First Samuel 1:24 encapsulates the pivotal moment where Hannah honors her profound vow made in anguished prayer for a child. This verse follows Hannah's years of barrenness and ridicule, culminating in her fervent petition to God that if He would grant her a son, she would dedicate him to lifelong service at the Tabernacle (1 Sam 1:11). Her son, Samuel, was born in response to this vow. The cultural norm of weaning a child at approximately three years old is indicated, making Samuel young but no longer fully dependent. This event takes place in Shiloh, the central sanctuary for Israel during the chaotic period of the Judges, before the establishment of the monarchy and the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. The "house of the Lord" likely refers to the permanent structure that enclosed the Tabernacle at Shiloh. Hannah's actions—bringing such valuable offerings along with her long-awaited son—underscore her deep faith and unwavering integrity in fulfilling her word, setting a strong contrast with the spiritual laxity observed among Eli's corrupt priestly sons in Shiloh, and marking Samuel's unique role from his earliest childhood.

1 Samuel 1 24 Word analysis

• And when she had weaned him:

  • This refers to the completion of breastfeeding, a culturally significant milestone. In ancient Israel, this typically occurred between the ages of two and five, though some sources suggest it could extend up to seven years.
  • Significance: It marks a practical and symbolic transition point, preparing Samuel for a new form of sustenance and nurturing, away from his mother's immediate care and towards dedication for priestly service. This act also emphasizes Hannah's patient and measured fulfillment of her vow, ensuring Samuel was physically ready for the transition.

• she took him up with her:

  • This emphasizes Hannah's direct, personal, and intentional involvement in the act of dedication. She did not simply send Samuel but accompanied him on the journey to Shiloh.
  • Significance: It highlights her complete devotion and commitment to honoring her word to God, despite the deep maternal affection she undoubtedly felt for her son, born through miraculous intervention.

• with three bulls:

  • Hebrew: parim (פָּרִים), meaning bulls or young bullocks.
  • Significance: This was an exceptionally large and costly offering for a single vow fulfillment. A typical sacrifice for a specific purpose might involve one animal. Three bulls likely allowed for various types of sacrifices to be made, such as a burnt offering (expressing total dedication), a peace offering (expressing thanksgiving and fellowship), and possibly a sin offering (for general purification or unintentional sin, common with other offerings). This grand offering underscored the immense gratitude, the profound solemnity of her vow, and her unreserved commitment to the Lord.

• and one ephah of flour:

  • Hebrew: ephah (אֵיפָה), a dry measure, roughly equivalent to 22 liters (about 15-20 pounds) or about half a bushel.
  • Significance: This substantial amount of flour would have been used for grain offerings (minchah), which typically accompanied burnt offerings and peace offerings. Its inclusion confirms a ritually complete and appropriate offering alongside the animal sacrifices.

• and a bottle of wine:

  • Hebrew: nevel yayin (נֵבֶל יַיִן), referring to a wine skin or container of wine.
  • Significance: This was for the drink offering (nesek), another required accompaniment to many burnt and peace offerings. Its presence further demonstrates Hannah's meticulous and generous fulfillment of the full scope of ritual sacrifice in the fulfillment of her vow.

• and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh:

  • "House of the Lord" (Hebrew: Beit YHWH - בֵּית יְהוָה): Refers to the central sanctuary where the Tabernacle resided at the time, indicating it might have been a more permanent structure surrounding the tabernacle itself.
  • Shiloh: This city was the designated religious center of Israel during the period of the Judges, where the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle were located, making it the proper place for solemn acts of worship, vows, and sacrifices.
  • Significance: It underscores Hannah's obedience to established Israelite religious practices, performing her vow at the rightful and sacred place of worship.

• and the child was young:

  • Hebrew: na'ar (נַעַר), which can refer to a young boy, lad, or youth. In this context, given the prior mention of weaning, it means a child of tender age (likely 3-5 years old).
  • Significance: This phrase highlights the extraordinary nature of Hannah's sacrifice. Giving up her only son, for whom she had earnestly prayed, at such a young, vulnerable age demonstrates immense faith and a total commitment to her vow and to God. It shows that her dedication was not merely for convenience later but a costly, immediate fulfillment that entrusted her child fully to divine care and purpose from his formative years.

1 Samuel 1 24 Bonus section

• Hannah's act in 1 Sam 1:24 goes beyond a mere legalistic fulfillment of a vow; it's a demonstration of deep spiritual passion and a model of parental consecration. While not a formal Nazarite vow, Samuel’s lifelong dedication shares similar characteristics, emphasizing his separation unto the Lord from a young age, distinguishing him from the surrounding culture and even common religious practice.
• The phrase "the child was young" highlights Hannah's faith not just in keeping her vow, but in trusting God with the nurture and raising of her precious son in an environment that, though sacred, was run by a flawed priesthood. This suggests a profound confidence that God would protect and shape Samuel for His purposes regardless of the immediate human environment.
• The elaborate nature of the offerings—three bulls, coupled with flour and wine—indicates a significant occasion of thanksgiving and communal rejoicing, possibly involving multiple sacrifices: a burnt offering for total surrender, a peace offering to share with Eli and his family as a meal of fellowship and gratitude for Samuel's birth, and perhaps a sin offering for purification related to the sacred transaction. This was a rich and public act of worship.

1 Samuel 1 24 Commentary

First Samuel 1:24 is a testament to Hannah's profound spiritual integrity and unparalleled devotion. Having received Samuel, her long-desired son, as a direct answer to prayer, she did not waver in her costly promise to dedicate him to the Lord's service. The act of bringing Samuel to Shiloh, likely at a tender age of three to five, showcases incredible faith, as she released her only child to the rigorous life of sanctuary service. Her accompanying offerings—three bulls, substantial flour, and wine—were exceedingly generous, far exceeding basic requirements, signaling the depth of her gratitude and the solemnity with which she regarded her vow. This moment set Samuel apart from his earliest years, initiating his unique calling and life path as a prophet and judge. Hannah's willing surrender of her most cherished gift illustrates a profound biblical principle: true worship often demands sacrificial giving, and faithfulness in fulfilling promises is a hallmark of a life devoted to God. This dedication also stood in stark contrast to the corrupted priesthood of Eli's sons, implicitly foreshadowing God's raising up a righteous leader through such sincere devotion.