Travelling to Shiloh, Hannah and Elkanah bring a bull and some flour with them because there is thanksgiving in their hearts—not resentment or anger but thanksgiving. Thanksgiving to the Lord who answers prayer. Thanksgiving to the Lord who saw their affliction and remembered them. Bowing before the Lord with her husband, Elkanah, Hannah voices her thoughts and feelings. Her words are surprising—not what we expect to hear from a woman giving up her son. There is joy in the Lord. How can your heart rejoice when you are called to make such a big sacrifice? How can you be glad when your only son will leave your home to be raised by another?
Surely that is a sacrifice you would be willing to make only if you are convinced that the Lord will look after him. Only if you are convinced that the Lord is holy and good, that he has all the knowledge and power to kill and bring to life. If the Lord established the earth, he can most certainly guard the feet of those who belong to him. Samuel belongs to him; he can look after Samuel. Hannah’s confidence in and knowledge of the Lord is what brings her to fulfill her vow with joy and thanksgiving.
21 The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow.