God's Answer & Hannah's Fulfillment of Her Vow (Vol. 5)

5 of 5 Essays Exploring 1 Samuel 1:1-28

The Lord remembered Hannah. Those simple words mark the turning point in the story. After years of sorrow, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him of the Lord.” But the story doesn’t end with her joy—it continues with her faithfulness.

After Samuel was born, Hannah made good on her vow. She waited until he was weaned, then brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. She brought offerings and presented the child to Eli, saying, “For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my request which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord.”

It’s easy to make promises to God in moments of desperation, but much harder to keep them once our prayers are answered. Hannah did both. Her act of giving Samuel to lifelong service showed deep gratitude and integrity. She didn’t cling to the gift; she released it back to the Giver.

This part of the story shows what real thankfulness looks like. Gratitude isn’t just words—it’s obedience and action. Hannah’s faith went beyond joy at receiving a child; it extended into surrender. Her fulfillment of the vow teaches that blessings are best used when they’re offered back to God.

In everyday life, this means remembering that everything we have time, talents, relationships, resources—ultimately belongs to God. When He answers our prayers, we can honor Him by using those blessings to serve others and bring Him glory.

Hannah’s story closes with worship. The last words say that “he worshiped the Lord there.” Through her faithfulness, not only was Hannah’s prayer answered, but Samuel’s life began with worship. Her obedience turned her personal joy into lasting spiritual impact—a reminder that when we give back to God, He uses it for purposes far beyond what we can imagine.