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?

Sweet Baby Samuel

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 1

From Hannah's Journal

Can you hear my baby? He is sleeping. His little chest rises and falls with each tiny breath. Baby Samuel is a gift from God.


Oh, look. He moved his hand. He opened his fist to let us see his tiny fingers. Excuse me, I must pick him up. 


"Hannah, Hannah, where are you?"


"I'm in here with Baby Samuel."


My husband, Elkanah, peeked around the corner. "It's time to leave for the Temple. Are you ready?"


I hugged my little baby. "Not yet. I can't take Samuel until he can walk. The priest need to be able to take care of him. No, not yet. Baby Samuel needs to stand tall when he appears before the Lord."


Elkanah nodded and pointed his eyebrows down. "Do what you think is best; You can wait until Samuel is able to walk and stand before the Lord. But, remember, you promised you would give him to the Lord."


Baby Samuel stretched then yawned. His little heart beat like raindrops patting against the tent. "Just think, Samuel, some day you will do great things for the Lord." I hugged him close. His soft breath tickled my neck. 


It seemed only days before Samuel could sit. He chewed on his fingers and anything else he could shove in his mouth. Poor baby cried when his teeth broke through his gums. 


Most of the time baby Samuel giggled and explored. He laughed when his older cousins tickled him. Sometimes, while standing at my cooking pot, I'd watch him staring at the other children and wonder what he was thinking. His eyes moved with the children's movements. He seemed to study their moves then try to imitate them. He seemed to care about others around him.


Soon Samuel took a first step then many more. He toddled a few steps and fell, picked himself up and toddled some more. I had to keep any dangerous objects away from him--what a curious little boy.


Feasts and celebrations past. Samuel learned to run after the other children and join in some of their games. He could stand tall and speak words. And the questions! Every wakening second he either asked a question or furrowed his brow as he thought about an answer. 


At this time, God let me know Samuel could go to the Temple to serve him. I packed a few of his things, the needed gifts for the priest and walked with Elkanah to the Temple. 


You might ask, did I feel sad? Did I cry? Well, only as a proud mother would. God gave this little boy to our nation to serve Him. Sure I will miss him, but I also know young Samuel will be here at the Temple serving the Almighty God.


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1.  Why did Hannah need to take Samuel to the Temple?
2.  Why did Hannah wait?
3.  Why did Hannah later take Samuel to the Temple?
4.  What promise did Hannah make (hint, read last week's story here. 
5.  What did you learn from today's story?


photo courtesy of christianimageresource.com

Hannah's Prayer

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 1

From Hannah's Journal

I have been married for some time and havn't had any children. I would love to have a little boy or girl romping around. Someone to hold and take care of. 


My husband, Elkanah didn't understand why I cried. He said, "I give you everything you need, doesn't that mean more than ten sons?"

Actually, no.


He didn't hear the other women mocked me. "Hah, hah, you don't have a child and we do." He didn't watch them walked their children near me them lift their chins in pride.

Elkanah always gave me more gifts than anyone else. I knew he cared about me, but the gifts didn't take the sadness. I wanted to be a mom and I didn't want to listen to the women at the Temple. 

The last time Elkanah and I visited the Temple, my heart ached so much I couldn't eat the meal served before we went inside the temple. He said, "Are you all right, Hannah?" 


"Yes." I answered, but I really wasn't.


Once inside, Elkahan went to his part of the Temple and I walked to mine. A group of ladies stood in the middle. I found near a corner and away from them. Better to spend time alone with God then listen to them bragging and insulting.

I closed my eyes to pray but couldn't speak for a moment Tears fell down my cheeks. I took a deep breath and spoke to the God of Israel. "LORD Almighty, I am your servant, and my heart is broken with sadness. Please remember me, your humble servant and give me a son. When you do, I will give him back to you, LORD, for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

I sobbed so much I couldn't say another word out loud. The rest of my thoughts  could only be spoken in my heart as I wept more. While I prayed someone placed a hand on my shoulders. I stopped to see who it was.


Eli, the priest frowned. "When are you going to stop drinking, woman? Put your wine away!"


At first his words hurt me. But then I realized he saw my lips move when I prayed a moment ago. "Oh, sir, I didn't drink wine. You saw me praying. My heart is troubled beyond what I can endure. It seemed best to go to the Almighty for help. Please don't think of me as a wicked woman. Truly I prayed because of my great trial."


He smiled and nodded. "Very well, go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant what you asked of Him."


I bowed to him. "Thank you. Thank you. May I find favor in your eyes."


I left the Temple area and walked to a water basin nearby, washed my face, and felt hungry. I ate my meal and felt--bubbly, sparkly, ready-to-jump-in-the-air-and-thank-God-from-the-top-of-my-lungs happy. I felt well enough to sing, dance, and talk. I didn't know which to do first.


God didn't call down from heaven and say, "Yes, Hannah, you will have a child." Nope. He didn't do that. The food didn't change anything because I have eaten before. Nope. 


A short while later Elkanan came out of the Temple. He looked left and right until he saw me. "Hannah, there you are." He stepped closer then stopped. "Is that a smile I see on your face? You don't look pale, did you eat? Tell me what has happened?"


"Oh, Elkanan, I asked God for a child. And now, in my heart I know He will take care of me. I can't explain it, I just know." I couldn't help but twirl right there, in front of him.


He laughed. "Oh, Hannah. I'm so glad to see you happy again. I shall pray God will give us a child as well."


I think next year I will have a child. And when I do, I will keep my promise and give the child back to God to serve Him.


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1. What made Hannah sad
2. Who teased her and why?
3. Where did Hannah and Elkanah go?
4. What did Hannah do there?
5. What was her prayer?
6. Think about the prayer, did she ask for herself, or for God?
7. Who saw her pray?
8. What blessing did he give her?
9. How did Hannah after she left the Temple?
10. What did you learn from this story?