Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord, &c.— Therefore also I have given him, according to my petition, unto the Lord, for as long as I promised in my petition to give him unto the Lord, &c. Waterland. This version of Dr. Waterland's seems perfectly conformable to the original; from a survey of which it appears evident, that Hannah herein refers to the petition which she made for a son, to whom also she gave a name agreeable to this petition. The Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic, instead of, and he worshipped, read, and they worshipped.
REFLECTIONS.—The day of the solemn feast being accomplished, we have,
1. The return of Elkanah and his family, after having risen up early to worship God, before they proceeded on their journey. Note; (1.) Early devotions promise a happy day. (2.) However urgent our journey, we shall lose nothing by taking God's blessing along with us before we set off.
2. Hannah becomes a joyful mother. God answers her according to her prayers, and she acknowledges the mercy in the name she gives her son, Samuel, as asked of the Lord. Note; God's mercies deserve to be kept in everlasting remembrance.
3. The care she took in nursing the infant. She was not unnatural, like some mothers, who deny their breasts to the fruit of their womb, but suckled him herself. Note; (1.) When we have a lawful hindrance from the house of God, such as suckling an infant, we may look up with comfort to him over the cradle, and expect God's blessing and presence there. (2.) The best improvement of our mercies received from God is to devote them to God.
4. When the child is weaned, as it is generally thought at three years old, Hannah performs her vows, goes up with her son, and takes along with her sacrifices and offerings, as grateful acknowledgments of the mercy that God had bestowed. Presenting him to Eli, she reminds him of what had passed, and surrenders up the precious gift to the perpetual service of the God that gave him; then offers her sacrifice, and rejoices before the Lord. Note; (1.) Though we may have just reason to delay, yet must we in their season pay our vows. (2.) They who are surrendered up to God, must henceforth regard themselves no longer as their own, but his for ever.
5. Samuel was early taught: no sooner had he learned to lisp, than prayer was the language. Though a child, he worshipped before the Lord. Note; (1.) Children should early be taught the way to a throne of grace. (2.) The minds of little ones are very early susceptible of religious impressions.