ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

SIULAI 12, 2023

ב שמואל Heard-by-God

ONGO‘I - ‘E HE - ’OTUA

1 SAMUEL 1:19-20

ELKANAH KNEW HANNAH HIS WIFE, AND THE LORD REMEMBERED HER. 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."

1 SAMIUELA 1:19-20

19 Pea na‘a nau tutu‘u hengihengi hake, pea nau fai ‘enau lotu ‘i he ‘ao ‘o Sihova, pea nau toki foki ‘o a‘u ki honau ‘api ‘i Lama. Pea fe‘iloaki ‘a ‘Elikena mo hono uaifi ko ‘Ana, pea na‘e manatu ia ‘e he ‘Eiki. 20 Pea ‘i he faifai pea hoko ‘a e taimi, na‘e feitama ‘a ‘Ana, ‘o ne fā‘ele‘i ha tama tangata; pea ne fakahingoa ia ko Sāmiuela (ko Ongo‘i-‘e-he-‘Otua) he‘ene pehē, Na‘a ku kole ia meia Sihova.

Mothers may name their children after family members, friends, or even Hollywood actors. But not Hannah; she named her baby boy after God's open ear. Though scholars have differing opinions on this, it seems simplest to take the name from shama ("hear") and El ("God"). Hannah poured out her heart before the Lord, asking him for a son. When God answered her petition, she named her newborn, Shmuel ("heard by God"), for he was the answer to her prayers. Like Samson before him, Shmuel (= Samuel) would be both a judge (1 Sam. 7:15) and a Nazirite (1:11). In addition, he was a prophet (3:20). In fact, from this faithful woman's prayer was conceived one of the greatest, most devout, and faithful leaders Israel ever had.

Hannah's song (2:1-10) was the poetic basis of Mary's song (Luke 1:46-55). And rightly so. Two faithful women bore two faithful sons who would grow up to be bright lights in benighted times. And Mary's Son, Light of Light, true God of true God, is our very own "Shmuel," for he is the answer to every prayer that's ever been prayed. In Jesus, we are heard by God. 

"O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth" (Ps. 54:2).