1 Samuel 1:28 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 1:28 mean?

1 Samuel 1:28 describes how Hannah dedicates her young son Samuel to serve the LORD for his entire life, fulfilling a vow she made before his birth. She brings Samuel to the house of the LORD and leaves him there, and the verse ends by saying that Samuel worshipped the LORD in that place.

Hannah is speaking to Eli the priest at the tabernacle in Shiloh, explaining that she is giving Samuel to the LORD as long as he lives because God answered her prayer for a child. This verse marks the moment when Hannah follows through on her promise, showing her deep faith and gratitude. The act of worship at the end highlights Samuel’s own response to being dedicated to God’s service.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 1:28

• "lent" (שָׁאַל, sha'al): This word is often translated as "asked" or "requested." Here, it carries the sense that Hannah has "given" or "dedicated" Samuel to the LORD, emphasizing that he is being entrusted to God because he was first requested from God.
• "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, used three times in this verse to stress that Samuel’s dedication is specifically to Israel’s God, not just a general religious act.
• "worshipped" (שָׁחָה, shachah): This word means to bow down or prostrate oneself, showing deep respect and reverence. The verse notes that Samuel himself worshipped, indicating his own participation in this important moment.

Why 1 Samuel 1:28 matters

• This verse clarifies that Hannah’s dedication of Samuel is not a temporary gesture but a lifelong commitment, as she repeats that he is given to the LORD "as long as he liveth."
• The use of "lent" (sha'al) connects back to Hannah’s earlier prayers, showing a play on words between her asking for a son and now giving him back to God.
• The mention of Samuel worshipping the LORD underscores that even as a child, Samuel is actively involved in the spiritual life at the tabernacle, setting the stage for his future role as a prophet.