Elkanah is an Israelite from the hill country of Ephraim. He has two wives – Peninnah and Hannah. Peninah has borne Elkanah children, while Hannah is barren. Every year, they all go on pilgrimage together to visit the Tabernacle in Shiloh. Elkanah loves Hannah more than he does Peninnah and her children, which causes much tension in their home. Peninnah is envious of Hannah and Hannah is bitter over the fact that she is barren. During one of the family’s pilgrimages to Shiloh, Hannah prays to God for a child. She pledges an oath that if she will be granted a son, she will dedicate him to the service of God.
Soon enough, Hannah becomes pregnant. She gives birth to a son, whom she names Samuel. When Samuel reaches the age of three, Hannah fulfills her pledge and takes him to serve God at the Tabernacle. Hannah embodies the true meaning of unlimited devotion and unconditional kindness. Her son, Samuel, will grow to become one of the most important and influential prophets of all times. He is destined to bring great light into the world.
“And this man went up out of his city…to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh” (1 Samuel 1:3)
“And prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow” (1 Samuel 1:10-11)
“Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:20)
Devotion combines self-discovery with love; as we discover our life’s purpose, we devote ourselves to others and to our cause.
