Samuel: Lent to the Lord | 1 Samuel 1:23-28

Feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of parenting or leadership?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

We are in a new series on 1 Samuel and are currently in chapter one. The theme of chapter one is the six people who influenced Samuel's life: So far, we have identified Elkanah, Peninnah, Hannah, Eli, Hophni, Phinehas, and today Samuel.

Today, we will be at the end of the chapter in verses 23-28.

Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” — 1 Samuel 1:23-28

So I have several observations from this text:

Dedicated as Lent
First, Elkanah is presented as diligent and devout. He diligently makes his annual trips to the Tabernacle. In addition, he also affirmed his wife’s right to make commitments to God, and he wants to support her in fulfilling these vows even though it will cost him a firstborn son from the wife he loves. In addition, the sacrifice he brings to the Tabernacle is sizeable, generous, and even lavish. A side note: husbands, you need to look for ways to support your wife's spiritual calling, especially when it honors the Lord.

Prepared as Lent
Second, Hannah is given only three precious years with her only biological son. From the day Samuel was conceived, Hannah knew her time with the "one God lent" (Samuel) would be short. Therefore, these years were preparation years for Samuel until he was lent back. As another side note: all believing parents would be blessed to think about their children in the same way, as ones being lent and prepared for an interdependent relationship in service to the Lord.

Given as Lent
Third, and one of the most intriguing aspects of this passage, is the wordplay in Hannah's statement. The phrases: 'granted me my petition,' 'I made,' 'I have lent him,' and 'he is lent' all stem from the same Hebrew word 'to ask,' which directly relates to the meaning of Samuel's name. This connection underscores the divine providence in Samuel's birth and Hannah's act of dedicating him to the Lord.

Samuel's early years are marked by a unique perspective. He was one lent to them who would be lent back to God for a lifelong Nazarite vow.

For a moment, consider how a perspective like this would change how you think about everything. Consider how it might affect how you parent, prepare, live, and give. Without a doubt, this child changed Elkanah and Hannah forever.

I have three grown children now. Each has required a different type of leadership, direction, encouragement, and challenge. Thinking about how to lead them through their challenges has changed me as a father. Sometimes, it has been frustrating, but God has used each to shape and form my perspective as a father, husband, man, and leader. In some ways, God has used them to influence me, just like God used Samuel to influence his parents. But this only happened when I was willing to pay attention to the divine Father parenting me as I parent them.

If you feel a little frustrated today as a parent or leader, try paying more attention to God's divine providence and plan. Worry less about what you want and pay attention to what God wants. When we align with God's divine plan, like Elkanah and Hannah did, the decisions along the way are a lot easier because many of them are already made.

#ParentingWithPurpose
#LentToTheLord
#DivineParenting

ASK THIS:

How can you actively support and encourage your spouse's spiritual journey, as Elkanah did for Hannah, even when it requires personal sacrifice?
Reflect on your role as a parent or leader. How might viewing your children or those you lead as lent to you by God influence your approach to guiding, nurturing, and preparing them for their own unique journey of faith and service?
DO THIS: Get a new perspective from the Father.

PRAY THIS: Father, help me emulate Elkanah's faithfulness and Hannah's surrender as I navigate my role as a parent, spouse, and leader, trusting in Your divine plan for those entrusted to my care. Guide me to recognize and embrace the opportunities to align my will with Yours, knowing that Your purposes far exceed mine. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Changed.