Immerse: Kingdoms Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 104
92
IMMERSE
•
KINGDOMS
1S
| 1:17–2:5
“In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the
request you have asked of him.”
“Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to
eat again, and she was no longer sad.
The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship
the Lord once more. Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elka
nah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea, and in due time
she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the
Lord for him.”
The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer
a sacrifice to the Lord and to keep his vow. 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.”
“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.
When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shi
loh. 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 very 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.
Then Hannah prayed:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord!
The Lord has made me strong.
Now I have an answer for my enemies;
I rejoice because you rescued me.
No one is holy like the Lord!
There is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
“Stop acting so proud and haughty!
Don’t speak with such arrogance!
For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done;
he will judge your actions.
The bow of the mighty is now broken,
and those who stumbled are now strong.
Those who were well fed are now starving,
and those who were starving are now full.