Today, we read a few verses only. They talked about how Hannah, the mother of Samuel, decided to lend Samuel to the Lord.
For this child I prayed; and the LORD has granted me my petition which I made (שָׁאַלְתִּי) to him.
Therefore I have lent him (הִשְׁאִלְתִּהוּ) to the LORD; as long as he lives, he is lent (שָׁאוּל) to the LORD (1 Samuel 1:27-28).
This is a rather strange expression. Who can lend something to God?
But let's briefly review the story of Hannah first. Her husband was Elkanah.
He had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children (1 Samuel 1:2).
Though Elkanah loved Hannah (1 Samuel 1:8), Peninnah kept provoking and irritating her (1 Samuel 1:6).
Hannah prayed to the Lord in the temple of Shiloh and wept bitterly. Eli was the priest of Shiloh.
Then Eli answered, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have made (שָׁאַלְת) to him (1 Samuel 1:17).
Then Hannah conceived and gave birth to Samuel. After weaning, Hannah brought young Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל meaning "name of El". But it seems to be related toשָׁאַל) to Eli and said the 2 verses above.
A few years ago, Eli gave Hannah the word "ask/request/demand (שָׁאַל)". In return, Hannah made use of the Hiphil stem of the word to answer Eli and the word becomes "borrow/lend (הִשְׁאִל)". Hannah had given birth and fulfilled the duty of a woman. God had restored her dignity. Of course, Samuel was hers. In return, Hannah surrendered the use of (lend) Samuel to God. She understood perfectly well that Samuel was a gift from God. It was enough that her reproach was erased. Later, she was able to give birth to 3 more sons and 2 more daughters to her husband (1 Samuel 2:21).
Once, Paul asked in his epistle to the Romans the following question.
Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? (Romans 11:35)
Paul was paraphrasing Elihu (Job 35:7) and God (Job 41:11).
If you are righteous, what do you give to him; or what does he receive from your hand? (Job 35:7)
Who has given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine (Job 41:11).
Even Hannah has not! Samuel was actually given by God to her.
For this child I prayed; and the LORD has granted me my petition which I made (שָׁאַלְתִּי) to him.
Therefore I have lent him (הִשְׁאִלְתִּהוּ) to the LORD; as long as he lives, he is lent (שָׁאוּל) to the LORD (1 Samuel 1:27-28).
This is a rather strange expression. Who can lend something to God?
But let's briefly review the story of Hannah first. Her husband was Elkanah.
He had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children (1 Samuel 1:2).
Though Elkanah loved Hannah (1 Samuel 1:8), Peninnah kept provoking and irritating her (1 Samuel 1:6).
Hannah prayed to the Lord in the temple of Shiloh and wept bitterly. Eli was the priest of Shiloh.
Then Eli answered, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have made (שָׁאַלְת) to him (1 Samuel 1:17).
Then Hannah conceived and gave birth to Samuel. After weaning, Hannah brought young Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל meaning "name of El". But it seems to be related toשָׁאַל) to Eli and said the 2 verses above.
A few years ago, Eli gave Hannah the word "ask/request/demand (שָׁאַל)". In return, Hannah made use of the Hiphil stem of the word to answer Eli and the word becomes "borrow/lend (הִשְׁאִל)". Hannah had given birth and fulfilled the duty of a woman. God had restored her dignity. Of course, Samuel was hers. In return, Hannah surrendered the use of (lend) Samuel to God. She understood perfectly well that Samuel was a gift from God. It was enough that her reproach was erased. Later, she was able to give birth to 3 more sons and 2 more daughters to her husband (1 Samuel 2:21).
Once, Paul asked in his epistle to the Romans the following question.
Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? (Romans 11:35)
Paul was paraphrasing Elihu (Job 35:7) and God (Job 41:11).
If you are righteous, what do you give to him; or what does he receive from your hand? (Job 35:7)
Who has given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine (Job 41:11).
Even Hannah has not! Samuel was actually given by God to her.
Hannah has sung a prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10) which was similar to the Magnificat by Mary (Luke 1:46-55). Both of them praised the "reversal of fortune" for believers.
The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts (1 Samuel 2:6-7).
In reflecting the life of Hannah, we can see that humiliation will not last forever and we do not part with what we give. God is generous to those who seek Him. So, let us enjoy being generous.
The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts (1 Samuel 2:6-7).
In reflecting the life of Hannah, we can see that humiliation will not last forever and we do not part with what we give. God is generous to those who seek Him. So, let us enjoy being generous.
Dear Lord, Christmas is a time to give. Help us open our heart in giving as well as in receiving. Amen.
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