During a period of great moral apostasy where everyone did what was right in his or her own opinion, a certain man was named – Elkanah. His long genealogical line (verse 1) suggests that he is from aristocracy, and 1 Chronicles 6 gives us the added detail that his line is from the Kohathite family of Levitical priests. Year by year, he goes from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord (verse 3), displaying his devotion and ethical character, a stark contrast to the situation the nation of Israel was in at this time. Not only so, Elkanah was generous to his family and loves his wife, Hannah, deeply, despite her unenviable position as a barren wife.

Hannah was in a painful situation, her barrenness bringing her much grief, given the important role for a wife to bear children in the ancient social setting. However, it is in her despair that she turned to Yahweh for help, convinced that any child born to her will be nothing short of a miraculous gift from God. And because of this knowledge, she vows to return any child born to her to God. Hannah’s trust in God was also demonstrated when she went away and ate, her face no longer sad, after Eli had blessed her.

It is in these circumstances that Samuel was born to Elkanah and Hannah, and clearly, God has special plans for Samuel. God had remembered Hannah, emphasizing His faithfulness to the devout prayer of individuals. However, Samuel’s birth was not just a resolution to Hannah’s problem. His birth goes far beyond Elkanah’s and Hannah’s circumstances. In fact, Samuel’s birth is a momentous event in salvation history, beginning a new stage in God’s overarching plan of salvation, and separating the period of the judges from that of the kings. Samuel’s birth narrative was an indication of something bigger in God’s plan. Therefore, the account of Samuel’s birth reveals the way God uses holy individuals and the circumstances of their lives to accomplish His purposes.

God uses the weak to demonstrate His might, God uses the devoted to demonstrate His faithfulness, God uses those who are waiting to demonstrate His grace. God desires to use righteous individuals and godly leaders. In the circumstances that we live in, are we willing to be Christians faithful to God’s Word, living devout and godly lifestyles, being faithful in our walk with God, and trusting deeply in our heavenly Father? May we be able to look beyond our individual circumstances to the bigger salvation plan of God, and to keep our eyes focused on Him, the giver our lives and the source of our joy.

Prayer : Dear God, thank you, you give us life, everlasting, you give us grace and mercy, to be called Your children. Help us to keep our eyes focused on You, and our purpose on your salvation plan. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.