1 Samuel 1:11

Armenian Eastern Bible 1994

«Իսրայէլի Տէ՛ր Աստուած, զօրութիւնների՛ Տէր, եթէ կամենաս տեսնել քո աղախնի տառապանքները, ինձ յիշես ու արու զաւակ տաս

What Does This Mean?

This verse is about Hannah, who prays to God, promising to dedicate her son to God's service if God grants her a son, as she is barren. She vows that her son will be a Nazirite, meaning he will never cut his hair. This shows her deep faith and willingness to sacrifice.

Explained for Children

Imagine you really want a puppy. You ask your parents to get you one, and you promise that if they do, you'll take care of the puppy for the rest of its life and never cut its fur. Hannah does something similar with God, asking for a son and promising to dedicate him to God's service.

Historical Background

The book of 1 Samuel was likely written by Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. It was written during the transition from the period of judges to the monarchy in Israel, around 1000 BC. The audience was the people of Israel, and the setting was a time when the Israelites struggled with infertility and sought God's intervention.

Living It Out Today

In modern life, this verse can be applied to a situation where someone promises a significant sacrifice to God in exchange for a specific blessing. For example, a parent might promise to volunteer at a church if God helps them find a job.

Topics

• prayer
• promises
• dedication
• barrenness
• faith
• vows

Related Verses

• Luke 1:11
• Judges 13:5
• Numbers 6:5
• 1 Samuel 1:28
• Luke 2:22

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Nazirite?

A Nazirite is someone who takes a special vow to dedicate themselves to God, often involving abstaining from alcohol, not cutting their hair, and avoiding contact with the dead.

Why did Hannah make this vow?

Hannah made the vow because she was barren and deeply desired a child. She believed that if God granted her a son, it would be a sign of God's favor and she wanted to show her gratitude by dedicating her son to God's service.

How does this relate to faith?

This verse highlights the strength of Hannah's faith. She was willing to make a significant sacrifice, dedicating her child to God, showing that she believed God would keep His promise to give her a child.

What can we learn from Hannah’s vow?

From Hannah's vow, we can learn about the power of prayer and dedication. It teaches us that when we deeply desire something, we can ask God for it and be willing to make a significant commitment in return.