She vowed a vow, and said, “LORD of Armies, if you will indeed look at the affliction of your servant and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a boy, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come on his head.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 11. A vow; rightly trusting that her husband would give his consent. Numbers 30:7.—Razor. Hebrew mora, “scissors.” Septuagint “iron.” Some copies add, “he shall not drink wine, nor any intoxicating drink.” In quality of Levite, Samuel was bound to serve the tabernacle from 25 or 30 years of age till he was 50. Numbers 4:2. Anna consecrates him to the Lord for life, and promises that he shall be a Nazarite, like Samson, and Saint John Baptist. The law prescribes no rules for these perpetual Nazarites. Numbers 6:3. Many of the ancients believe that Samuel always observed the prescriptions of Moses, and abstained from intoxicating liquors; though the Hebrew and Vulg. are silent on this head. We find that during his administration as Judge, he was not able to continue always near the tabernacle. Calmet.—When he came to years of discretion, he might depart if he thought proper, like other Levites. Had he been of another tribe, he must have been redeemed. Worthington.—Esther, Elcana, or Samuel, might have annulled this vow. Salien, A. 2900.