1 samuel 1:23 - Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems good to you. Wait until you have weaned him; only may Yahweh establish his word.” So the woman waited and nursed her son, until she weaned him.
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What does "1 samuel 1:23" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 1:23 is a pivotal moment in the story of Hannah, Elkanah, and their son Samuel. Let's break down the meaning:
Context: Hannah, who was previously barren and deeply distressed, prayed fervently to God for a son, vowing to dedicate him to the Lord's service at the temple in Shiloh if her prayer was answered. God heard her prayer, and she conceived and gave birth to Samuel.
"Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems good to you. Wait until you have weaned him; only may Yahweh establish his word.”"
"Do what seems good to you": This shows Elkanah's trust in Hannah's judgment. He isn't forcing her to immediately give Samuel to the temple. He acknowledges her role as a mother and allows her to decide the appropriate time for weaning and fulfilling her vow.
"Wait until you have weaned him": Weaning in those days typically occurred around 2-3 years of age. This highlights the significant time Hannah dedicated to nursing and nurturing Samuel during his earliest, most formative years. Elkanah understood the importance of this bond and wasn't rushing her.
"only may Yahweh establish his word.": This is the crucial part. Elkanah's greatest concern is that God will keep his promise. He recognizes that Samuel's birth was a direct result of divine intervention. By saying "establish his word," Elkanah is expressing his desire that God will establish His commitment to both of them. He essentially hopes God confirms and fulfills whatever divine purpose is connected to Samuel's birth and Hannah's vow. It also suggests Elkanah believes Samuel has a special destiny or calling from God.
"So the woman waited and nursed her son, until she weaned him."
This confirms Hannah's obedience to her husband's request and her dedication to Samuel's early care. She fulfilled her duties as a mother before fulfilling her vow to God. The act of waiting and nursing emphasizes her motherly love and nurturing commitment to her son.
In summary, the verse signifies:
Mutual Respect and Trust: Elkanah trusts Hannah's judgment and allows her to decide when Samuel is ready to be dedicated to the Lord.
Motherly Love and Nurturing: Hannah's commitment to nursing Samuel until he's weaned highlights the importance of the mother-child bond.
Faith and Dedication: Both Elkanah and Hannah are dedicated to God and committed to fulfilling their promises.
Divine Purpose: There's a recognition that Samuel's birth is special and divinely ordained, and they hope God will reveal and establish his purpose for Samuel's life.
Delayed Obedience is Still Obedience: Hannah doesn't immediately fulfill her vow, but her dedication to caring for Samuel is seen as an important and acceptable part of the process.
This verse sets the stage for the next part of the story, where Hannah brings Samuel to the temple to serve under the priest Eli, marking the beginning of Samuel's extraordinary life as a prophet and leader in Israel.
1 samuel 1:23 - Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems good to you. Wait until you have weaned him; only may Yahweh establish his word.” So the woman waited and nursed her son, until she weaned him.
What does "1 samuel 1:23" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 1:23 is a pivotal moment in the story of Hannah, Elkanah, and their son Samuel. Let's break down the meaning:
Context: Hannah, who was previously barren and deeply distressed, prayed fervently to God for a son, vowing to dedicate him to the Lord's service at the temple in Shiloh if her prayer was answered. God heard her prayer, and she conceived and gave birth to Samuel.
"Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems good to you. Wait until you have weaned him; only may Yahweh establish his word.”"
"Do what seems good to you": This shows Elkanah's trust in Hannah's judgment. He isn't forcing her to immediately give Samuel to the temple. He acknowledges her role as a mother and allows her to decide the appropriate time for weaning and fulfilling her vow.
"Wait until you have weaned him": Weaning in those days typically occurred around 2-3 years of age. This highlights the significant time Hannah dedicated to nursing and nurturing Samuel during his earliest, most formative years. Elkanah understood the importance of this bond and wasn't rushing her.
"only may Yahweh establish his word.": This is the crucial part. Elkanah's greatest concern is that God will keep his promise. He recognizes that Samuel's birth was a direct result of divine intervention. By saying "establish his word," Elkanah is expressing his desire that God will establish His commitment to both of them. He essentially hopes God confirms and fulfills whatever divine purpose is connected to Samuel's birth and Hannah's vow. It also suggests Elkanah believes Samuel has a special destiny or calling from God.
"So the woman waited and nursed her son, until she weaned him."
This confirms Hannah's obedience to her husband's request and her dedication to Samuel's early care. She fulfilled her duties as a mother before fulfilling her vow to God. The act of waiting and nursing emphasizes her motherly love and nurturing commitment to her son.
In summary, the verse signifies:
Mutual Respect and Trust: Elkanah trusts Hannah's judgment and allows her to decide when Samuel is ready to be dedicated to the Lord.
Motherly Love and Nurturing: Hannah's commitment to nursing Samuel until he's weaned highlights the importance of the mother-child bond.
Faith and Dedication: Both Elkanah and Hannah are dedicated to God and committed to fulfilling their promises.
Divine Purpose: There's a recognition that Samuel's birth is special and divinely ordained, and they hope God will reveal and establish his purpose for Samuel's life.
Delayed Obedience is Still Obedience: Hannah doesn't immediately fulfill her vow, but her dedication to caring for Samuel is seen as an important and acceptable part of the process.
This verse sets the stage for the next part of the story, where Hannah brings Samuel to the temple to serve under the priest Eli, marking the beginning of Samuel's extraordinary life as a prophet and leader in Israel.