What does 1 Samuel 1:20 mean?
"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
1 Samuel 1:20 (KJV): "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."
The verse 1 Samuel 1:20 is a significant moment in the biblical narrative of the birth of Samuel. The story of Samuel's birth is one of faith, prayer, and the fulfillment of promises. It is a story that speaks to the power of God's intervention in the lives of His people, and the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in prayer.
In the context of the larger narrative of 1 Samuel, the story of Samuel's birth occurs during a period of spiritual decline in Israel. The book of Judges, which precedes 1 Samuel, describes a time when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 17:6), and when the Israelites turned away from the Lord and worshiped idols. However, in the midst of this spiritual darkness, we encounter the story of Hannah, a woman who remained faithful to God and who sought His help in the midst of her suffering.
Hannah's story begins with her deep desire to have a child. However, she is unable to conceive, and this causes her great sorrow. In her distress, she turns to the Lord and makes a vow, saying, "O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life" (1 Samuel 1:11). This vow demonstrates Hannah's deep faith and her willingness to give her future child back to God in gratitude for His intervention. Her prayer is a model of sincere and fervent supplication, and it reflects the power of persistence in prayer.
The verse 1 Samuel 1:20 captures the moment when Hannah's prayer is answered. After conceiving, she gives birth to a son and names him Samuel, which means "heard by God" or "asked of God." The name reflects the circumstances of Samuel's conception and the fulfillment of Hannah's prayer. It also symbolizes the idea that Samuel is a gift from God, given in response to Hannah's faithful supplication. This moment is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people, even in the midst of difficulty and despair.
Furthermore, the birth of Samuel is significant in the larger biblical narrative because he grows up to become a prophet and a judge of Israel. He plays a pivotal role in the transition of Israel from a period of spiritual apathy to a time of renewed faithfulness and devotion to God. His life and ministry demonstrate the power of one individual's faith and obedience to bring about significant change in the spiritual trajectory of a nation.
Overall, the story of Samuel's birth and the verse 1 Samuel 1:20 convey powerful themes of faith, answered prayer, and the faithfulness of God. It serves as a reminder to believers of the importance of perseverance in prayer, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It also highlights the idea that God hears and responds to the prayers of His people, and that His timing and plans are perfect. Finally, it encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness and to remain faithful and obedient to Him, knowing that He is able to bring about transformation and renewal in our lives and in the world around us.
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1 Samuel 1:20 - "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."
"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
1 Samuel 20:20 - "And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark."
1 Samuel 28:15-20
1 Samuel 20:27-30
1 Samuel 20:27-29
1 Samuel 10:20 - "And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken."
1 Samuel 3:20 - "And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD."
1 Samuel 18:20 - "And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him."
1 Samuel 20:39 - "But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter."
1 Samuel 20:28 - "And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:"
1 Samuel 22:20 - "¶ And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David."
1 Samuel 19:20 - "And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied."
1 Samuel 20:4 - "Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee."
1 Samuel 28:20 - "Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night."
1 Samuel 20:33 - "And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David."
1 Samuel 12:20 - "¶ And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;"
1 Samuel 20:35 - "¶ And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him."
2 Samuel 1:20 - "Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph."
1 Samuel 20:18 - "Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty."
1 Samuel 20:14 - "And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:"
1 Samuel 20:23 - "And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever."
1 Samuel 20:10 - "Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?"
1 Samuel 16:20 - "And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul."
1 Samuel 20:16 - "So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies."
1 Samuel 30:20 - "And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David's spoil."
1 Samuel 20:40 - "And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city."
1 Samuel 20:32 - "And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?"
1 Samuel 24:20 - "And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand."
1 Samuel 20:24 - "¶ So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat."