Hannah Gives Son Samuel Back to God in Prayer and Service
(1 Samuel 2:1-11, 18-21)
Hannah had been sad for a very long time. She wanted a child more than anything, but God had not given her one. Every year she went with her husband Elkanah to the tabernacle in Shiloh, the large tent where God's people worshiped before there was a Temple. One year she prayed with all her heart and made a promise. She said, "Lord, if you give me a son, I will give him back to you all the days of his life." God heard her prayer. He gave her a baby boy, and she named him Samuel, which means "asked of the Lord."
When Samuel was old enough to eat solid food, Hannah kept her promise. She took him to the tabernacle in Shiloh and brought him to Eli the priest. She said, "I am the woman who stood here praying. I asked the Lord for this child, and he gave me what I asked. Now I am giving him back to the Lord. As long as he lives, he will belong to the Lord." Then Hannah prayed a beautiful song of praise to God.
Her song was full of joy. She said, "My heart exults in the Lord. My strength is lifted up in the Lord. There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no rock like our God." She praised God for being strong and mighty. She remembered that God lifts up the poor and makes the weak strong. She thanked God for giving her a son and for keeping his promises. Her song showed that she trusted God completely, even after giving away her only child.
After Hannah finished praying, she and Elkanah went home, but little Samuel stayed behind at the tabernacle to serve the Lord under Eli's care. Every year his parents came back to Shiloh and brought him a new little robe to wear while he served. Samuel was just a boy, but he was already learning to listen to God and help Eli with the work of the tabernacle.
Eli watched Samuel grow and saw how faithful the boy was. Each year when Elkanah and Hannah came, Eli blessed them and prayed that God would give them more children, since Hannah had given Samuel back to the Lord. God was kind and faithful. He blessed Hannah with three more sons and two daughters, and she became a joyful mother who had trusted God with her greatest treasure.
Meanwhile, Samuel kept growing in wisdom and in favor with the Lord, ministering before Him day after day in the tabernacle. Hannah had given her only son back to God, and God had not forgotten her kindness.
A Curious Question
Why did Hannah give away her only son back to God right after God finally answered her prayer and gave him to her?
Jesus Connection
Hannah's story points forward to Jesus in a beautiful way. Hannah gave her son Samuel to serve God in the tabernacle. Many years later, God the Father gave his only Son, Jesus, to serve and to save the world. Just as Samuel was dedicated to the Lord's work, Jesus was dedicated to doing his Father's will. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, just like Samuel did (Luke 2:52). But Jesus did even more. He did not just serve in a tabernacle made of cloth and wood. Jesus became the final sacrifice for our sins, and he rose from the dead so that we can have eternal life. Hannah gave her son for a lifetime of service. God gave his Son for eternal salvation. Jesus is the greatest gift of all.
Discussion Questions
- Hannah prayed for a son and then gave him back to God. What do you think was the hardest part of that promise for Hannah to keep?
- Hannah's song praised God for being strong and for lifting up the weak. When has God helped you when you felt weak or sad?
- Samuel served God as a young boy in the tabernacle. What are some ways you can serve God and your family right now, even though you are still young?
"So What?" What Can I Do?
- Trust God with your biggest wishes. Hannah wanted a child more than anything, but she trusted God's timing. You can tell God what you really want and trust him to answer in his perfect way.
- Keep your promises to God. Hannah made a vow and kept it even when it was hard. When you tell God you will do something, ask him to help you follow through.
- Serve God right where you are. Samuel served in the tabernacle as a boy. You can serve God at home, at school, and at church by helping others and obeying your parents and teachers.
Memorize God's Word
1 Samuel 2:2: "There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God."
- There is none holy like the Lord point up to heaven with both hands, then shake your head gently to show "none."
- for there is none besides you spread your arms wide and then bring your hands together as if to say "only you."
- there is no rock like our God make a fist with both hands and tap them together like a solid rock, then point up.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank you for hearing our prayers just like you heard Hannah. Help us to trust you with the things we love most. Give us courage to keep our promises to you and to serve you every day. We know you are our strong rock. In Jesus' name, amen.
Craft or Activity
Promise Keeper Bracelet
Children will make a simple beaded bracelet to remind them to keep their promises to God, just like Hannah kept her promise.
Materials Checklist:
☐ Scissors
- Give each child one pipe cleaner. Fold one end over about half an inch to make a stopper so beads do not fall off.
- Let children choose beads to slide onto the pipe cleaner. Encourage them to pick a color for each part of the story, for example, blue for prayer, green for growth, yellow for promise, and red for service.
- If you have letter beads, let them spell "PROMISE" or "SAMUEL" on the bracelet.
- When the pipe cleaner is full, twist the ends together to form a bracelet.
- As they wear their bracelet, remind them to keep their promises to God just like Hannah did.
Effective Teaching Techniques
For Younger Children: Focus on the simple idea that Hannah prayed and God answered. Use the craft to reinforce the concept of a promise. Keep the discussion questions concrete and personal.
For Older Kids: Dive deeper into Hannah's prayer song. Compare her words to other songs of praise in the Bible. Ask them what it means to say God is like a rock.
Prep Shortcut: Pre-thread the pipe cleaners with a stopper bead and have all materials sorted in small cups. This saves time and keeps the activity moving smoothly.
Classroom Management: While children are working on the bracelet, play soft worship music and ask them to think about one promise they can make to God this week.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did Hannah give Samuel away right after God finally gave him to her?
- Hannah had promised God that if He gave her a son, she would give him back to serve the Lord for his whole life. She kept that promise even though it was hard.
- What did Hannah's song say?
- Hannah sang that her heart was full of joy in the Lord, that there was no one holy like Him, and that God lifts up the poor and makes the weak strong.
- How did God bless Hannah after she gave Samuel to the tabernacle?
- The Bible says God gave Hannah three more sons and two daughters, and Samuel kept growing in wisdom and in favor with the Lord.