Little Samuel Goes to the Temple

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 1-2

From Hannah's Journal

I woke this morning and couldn't decide whether I was more proud or sad. 


I made this promise: If God would give me a child I would give the child back to Him to serve in the Temple.


I'm proud because baby Samuel grew into a fine young boy these last three years. He talked, and amazingly enough he listened. He will serve God well. 


I'm sad because he won't be at my side everyday. 


I helped Samuel get dressed for the journey. "Today we will go to the Temple." He giggled and danced around the room shouting "Yippee. Can I ride the donkey?"


 Elkanah knocked on the door a few moments ago and asked, "Are you ready, Hannah?"


"Yes, I am. And little Samuel is, too."


We left our home in Ramah and took Samuel along with gifts for the Lord. I had missed the last three celebrations to stay home and take care of Samuel. We walked to Shiloh for the annual visit to the Temple and found a place in the crowd to eat our meal before going into worship. Elkanah went to his place in the Temple and I took little Samuel to mine.


I held his little hand and walked up the stairs. Inside the room, I searched for Eli, the priest, the same one who saw me pray three years ago. I wanted to show him God had answered my prayer. 


Eli sat in a special chair off to the side. "Come Samuel. This is the man I told you about."


Samuel stayed close to my leg as we walked closer.  I bowed before Eli, little Samuel copied me. "My Lord. I have come to show you how God answered prayer. I am the woman who stood by you, here in this room three years ago. I had prayed for a child. The Lord granted me my petition and gave me this son."


I guided little Samuel to stand in front of me and put my hands on his shoulders. "My lord, I am lending this little one to the Lord, God Almighty to serve him as long as he lives."


I should have felt like crying when Samuel walked straight and tall toward Eli without my telling him to go, but instead, my heart bubbled because I knew I had kept my promise to God.


I kneeled and prayed to the Almighty:

My heart rejoices in the Lord; I smile at my enemies because I rejoice in Your salvation.

No one is holy like the Lord, there is none besides You. Nor is there any rock like our God

Don't talk proudly, for the Lord is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed.

The bows of mighty men are broken, Those who stumbled are held up with strength

The Lord kills and makes alive; He makes poor and rich, He brings low and lifts up

He raises poor from the dust to set them among princes 

and makes them inherit the throne of glory.

He will guard the feet of His saints but the wicked shall be silent in darkness

By strength no man shall prevail. The enemies of the Lord shall be broken. 

The Lord will judge.

He will give strength to His king and exalt His anointed

I hugged and kissed little Samuel and told him I would bring him a gift the next time I saw him. He smiled. My sweet little Samuel smiled. Thank you God for my son, Samuel.

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1. What promise did Hannah make to God?

2. Where did Elkanah and Hannah go?

3. What did they take?

4. What did Hannah do when she reached the Temple?

5.  What did she say to Eli?

6.  What did Hannah do?

7. Why did Hannah feel happy?

8. What did you learn from this story?