ROBERT@kontu.utu.fi (Robert W. Johnson) (03/19/91)
Hannah prayed, and said: My heart exulteth in the Lord. 1 Samuel 2.1. Speaking naturally, this could have been the saddest moment in Hannah's life, for she was saying goodbye to her young son. Here however we shall find no trace of sorrow or self-pity, but only the expression of a heart overflowing with that unique joy which comes to those that give their all to the Lord. With Hannah, it seems, their was a real exercise of soul in relation to the Lord's interests, and the dearest thing in her life was dedicated to those interests. Before Samuel was born she had made her vow to God. During his infancy she had waited for this day. She weaned Samuel, and now, when the moment came and he was given back to God, she found a new joy such as she had never known before, the joy of the fully committed. her song, which centuries later that of Mary was to find inspiration, expresses her triumphant joy. ----- Robert W. Johnson Computer center, The University of Turku, Turku Finland robert@kontu.utu.fi (InterNet) robert@firien.bitnet (BITNET) The preceeding is my opinion and may not express the opinion of my employer and furthermore has nothing to do with my employment.