(21) And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. (22) But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide forever. (23) And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.
I only detain the Reader with one observation on these verses, which is just to remark, that while ungodly mothers may find reproof from Hannah's conduct, in that her absence from the house of God, in her nursery, was only for a season, in order that she might better rear this child for God's service forever; whereas carnal parents stay away under pretence of family concerns, and neither go themselves nor send their little ones to his worship. Pious mothers may here learn how, when their detention at home is with an eye to the future glory of God, Hannah's example becomes their pattern. Paul's advice is worth regarding, in this instance particularly. 1 Timothy 5:14.