1 Samuel 1:9-20 ~ all the days of his life

Shiloh was the center of worship, before the Temple was built by Solomon. The Iron Age Archaeological digs of Shiloh remains yielded a pillared two storey public building near the top of the tel. Collared rim storage jars found in these buildings, pointing to usage as part of worship complex. More than 20 silos were uncovered from this era, included one with carbonized wheat. The destruction layer evident throughout the tel may have occurred in the wake of the Philistine victory at Eben-Ezer. One of the more intriguing finds was that of a heap of pottery outside the city wall. This pile of pottery was the remnant of a number of animal sacrifices, which were tossed over the wall after completion of the ritual and then buried. This find points to a sacral status of Shiloh during the Canaanite period, and by the Israelites. The top of the tel, where Finkelstein supposes that the tabernacle would have been placed, is now just exposed bedrock.

The current synagogue is a copy of the Original Tabernacle.

1 Samuel 1:9-20

9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”

Hannah and the Lord God are on the same path. They both want Hannah to have a child and for that child to live to the glory of God. It was a good, a very sweet time for Father God to richly reward Hannah for her faith. We all have something in our lives that we are equally grateful for.

We praise you, Lord God Almighty! You have upheld us. And You overcome. In the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

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