What does 1 Samuel 1:28 mean?
"Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there." - 1 Samuel 1:28
In 1 Samuel 1:28, the King James Version (KJV) states, "Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there." This verse is the response of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, after she had dedicated her son to the Lord.
The context of this verse is important in understanding its meaning and significance. Hannah had been barren and longed for a child. She fervently prayed to the Lord for a son, and when he was finally granted to her, she dedicated him to serve the Lord for his entire life. This act of dedication demonstrates Hannah's deep faith and trust in the Lord, as she was willing to give up the child she had so desperately desired in order to fulfill her vow to God.
One of the key themes of this verse is sacrifice. Hannah's act of dedicating her son to the Lord can be seen as a sacrificial offering, as she willingly gives up something precious to her in order to honor her commitment to God. This theme of sacrifice is central to many biblical stories and is often seen as a demonstration of faith and obedience to God's will.
Another important theme in this verse is the concept of lending or giving back to the Lord. Hannah acknowledges that her son is not truly hers, but rather belongs to the Lord. By "lending" him to the Lord, she is recognizing God's sovereignty and ownership over all things, including her own child. This idea of giving back to the Lord what is rightfully His is a recurring theme throughout the Bible and serves as a reminder that everything we have is a gift from God and should be used to glorify and serve Him.
The symbolism in this verse is also rich and significant. The act of Hannah dedicating her son to the Lord can be seen as a foreshadowing of Samuel's future role as a prophet and leader of Israel. By offering him up to the Lord, Hannah is setting the stage for Samuel to fulfill his divine purpose and serve the people of Israel according to God's will. Additionally, the act of worship at the end of the verse symbolizes Hannah's gratitude and reverence for God, as well as her acceptance of His plan for her and her son.
Overall, 1 Samuel 1:28 is a powerful and poignant verse that encapsulates the themes of sacrifice, faith, and obedience to God. Through Hannah's act of dedicating her son to the Lord, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's plan and giving back to Him what is rightfully His. This verse serves as a powerful example of faith in action and continues to inspire and challenge readers to surrender their own desires and plans to God's will.
Have questions about 1 Samuel 1:28?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
1 Samuel 1:28 Artwork
1 Samuel 1:28 - "Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there."
"Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there." - 1 Samuel 1:28
1 Samuel 28:15
1 Samuel 28:7
1 Samuel 28:15-19
1 Samuel 28:15-20
1 Chronicles 6:28 - "And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah."
1 Samuel 28:15 Saul is desperate
1 Samuel 28:11 - "Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel."
1 Samuel 28:16 - "Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?"
1 Samuel 18:28 - "¶ And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him."
1 Samuel 20:28 - "And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:"
1 Samuel 28:5 - "And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled."
1 Samuel 28:10 - "And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing."
1 Samuel 28:12 - "And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul."
1 Samuel 15:28 - "And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou."
1 Samuel 28:6 - "And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets."
1 Samuel 30:28 - "And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa,"
1 Samuel 23:28 - "Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth."
1 Samuel 28:20 - "Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night."
1 Samuel 28:4 - "And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa."
1 Samuel 28:25 - "And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night."
"And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah." - 1 Chronicles 6:28
1 Samuel 28:3 - "¶ Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land."
1 Samuel 28:14 - "And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself."
1 Samuel 28:24 - "And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:"
1 Samuel 28:13 - "And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth."
1 Samuel 28:1 - "And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men."
1 Samuel 28:17 - "And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:"
1 Samuel 14:28 - "Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint."