2. Elkanah acr1uiesces in her vow, and allows her will in respect of time and method 01' perfecting it. 3. A united and solemn surrender of Samuel to his life work. I. QUALIFIED WIFELY INDEPENDENCE. Although Elkanah knew his wife's great sorrow, yet in the matters connected with its removal and in the subsequent transactions she eYidently followed her own course. It was a great decision to fix a child's lot in life apart from consultation and consent. The spontaneous choice of a name though harmonious with a mother's secret knowledge of past experiences, was in any case, and more so in Hebrew instances, a bold undertaking. The event of naming furnished, most probably, the occasion for explanation and revelation of the anterior vow, and was faced with the most perfect composure. The mother's feelings aro ever to be considered in parting with children as they enter on life's work ; but here the time and method appear to have been fixed by the mother taking the initiative, aDd contrary to rule, the wife is the prominent figure in the religious ceremonial of dedication, whose set purpose throughout therein attains its goal. No law of social. and domestic life is more clearly laid down in Scripture than the irubordina- tion of the wife to the husband, and though there are principles which limit the subordination, and sentiments which convert it into blissful freedom, yet independence of action where offspring are concerned, is as rare as it is, per se, undesirable. The high intellectual and moral qualities which render wifely action free and firm within the sphere of private affairs, are perverted when applied to the independent deter- mination of the destiny of a son. The spirit of self-assertion will have no place in a well-ordered home. The grace and the moral power of woman vanish or become enfeebled when deeds are done in secret, and the natural authority of the head of the house is anticipated. Yet there are conditions which render such independence for a season both necessary and even religious. 1. Hannah's conduct was connected with an event in her religious experience too sacred even for a loving husband to be acquainted with. One cannot unbosom, even to the dearest earthly friend, the deep and passionate longings of the soul after God. The child of promise belongs primarily to the one to whom the promise is made, and so a special proprietorship i8 created which gives right to choice as to the use to be made of the gift. 2. Confidence in a husband's sympathy with lofty religious aims will justify wifely freedom, when that freedom is employed to perfect holy purposes. There are great and noble deeds within the proper right of a husband which he would only rejoice to see independently performed by a confiding wife. Where mutual confidence is fortified by years of common sorrow, no great error will be committed in interpreting religious wishes. 3. The soul that is bent on the realisation of a great religious hope, and has pondered it for years, best knows the means by which it may be secured. None but Hannah could see clearly the need of winning over the assistance of Eli, and the previous interview of the woman of "sorrowful spirit" with the high priest required that she should figure in the great ceremonial of devoting a child to God. II. WISE HUSBANDLY CONSIDERATION. The legal rights secured by Divine law (Num. xxx. 6-8) are at once eurrendered by acquiescence in a holy, God-honouring vow ; acceptance of a memorial name ; deference to wishes in matters of detail, and cheer'ful co-operation in completing the vow. Piety and prudence combine in making concessions where pure motives have influenced conduct, and where the ends sought are wise and useful. Exacting men never enjoy the full love and confidence of their home. It would be blessed for many homes were the holy daring of Hannah and the wise, gentle bearing of Elkanah more frequent. The key to such conduct lies not in rigid conformity to excellent rules prescribing spheres of action, nor in mutual watchfulness, but in pure affection for a loving, faithful wife; a quick perception of the special providence which over-rules earthly trials ; sympathy with the noble piety that could so spontaneously and cheerfully surrender the realised hope of many a weary year; a conviction that a devout soul so evidently led on by God is by far the safest guide in matters pertaining to completed vows, and an unexpressed joy in the h?nour of being permitted to join in offering to God the precious treasure he had g·1ven. Hence we may learn a few General lessons :-1. Personal and private decisions based on a supreme regard for the glory of God, and free from Relfishness, are sure to be appreciated in a piou• BAil, U 18 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. (elf. I, 9-211.
home. 2. A loving recognition of individuality and force of character is essentinl to perfect domestic har~10~y: 3. Personal influence in the sphere of home becomes powerful wh_en holy ~1sc1plme has purged selfishness and brought the spirit into deep sympathy "'.Ith the kmgdo~l of God. 4. T!1ere is no pain, but joy, in sacrifice when our posse1,s10ns are recognised as truly God s, and we perceive the honour of their being employed in his name. 5. It is a blessed thing for children to be spontaneously consecrated_ to God by the prayers ?f self-sacrificing parents. 6. Those who by reason of Circumstances cannot serve ln the sanctuary, may perhaps be permitted to nurture children f9r the ministry of the word.