Her sorrow was
now turned into joy, and her happy face was like the opening rose of
the morning. No wonder she was joyful. The will of the Lord was her
will, and what evil could befall her? Blessed Israel, that contains
such a praying soul.
"Time passes on, and the answer to that prayer is a beloved son. The
grateful mother calls him Samuel--'God heard.' Her full heart could
give no other name to this child of prayer. She would remember ever,
Not mine, but God's. And now the childless one folds in her arms a
child of the covenant. New joy fills the heart of Elkanah. Their son
was new to them every day; yet not alone as theirs, but His who
answered prayer.
"The time now draws near for them to go again to Shiloh. The happy
father does not forget God in his mercies. He appears before the
Lord with his thank offering;--a noble example to us. He asks Hannah
to go with him: not in a voice of harsh command, but in love he
said, 'Will you go?' and it was, doubtless, a gentle voice that
answered, 'Not now, for then I must bring Samuel back with me. He is
too small to leave; but when he is weaned, I will bring him, that he
may appear before the Lord, and there abide forever.
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