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 took pity  upon  them,  and  gave  them  such  a victory  over  the Philistines, that  for  many  years  after  the  latter  did  not  dare  to approach  the  frontiers  of  Israel.

The Justice  of  God.  This  story  teaches  us  above  all  things  to know,  fear,  and  love  God. He rewarded  the  virtuous  Samuel  by  revealing Himself to  him,  by  calling  him  to  be  Judge,  and  by  freeing  and  converting His  people  through  him. On the  other  hand  God  punished  Heli, his sons,  and  the  impenitent  Israelites  by  their  defeat,  and  the  loss  of the  Ark. He also  punished  the  idolatrous  Philistines  by  means  of  various plagues, and  finally  by  their  complete  overthrow.

The Goodness  and  Mercy  of  God.  He  graciously  heard  Anna’s prayer, and  sent  her  a son. He called  Samuel  from  his  earliest  infancy to serve  Him  in  the  Tabernacle,  loaded  him  with  favours,  preserved him from  being  contaminated  by  Heli’s  sons,  and  made  him  judge  and saviour of  his  people. God forgave  the  repentant  people  their  faithlessness, and gave  them  a great  victory  over  those  who  had  oppressed  them.

The Faithfulness  of  God.  Samuel,  in  God’s  name,  said  to  the Israelites: “If  you  turn  to  the  Lord  with  all  your  heart,  He  will  deliver you.” God  kept  this  promise,  as  He  also  fulfilled  His  threat  against Heli and  his  sons.

God is  Lord  over  nature.  It  was  God  who  overthrew  the  image of Dagon;  it  was  He  who  sent  the  mice  to  devastate  the  land  of  the Philistines, the  pestilence  which  swept  away  the  idolaters,  and  the  storm which threw  their  army  into  confusion.

Prayer in  time  of  trouble.  Anna’s  example  teaches  us  that  we ought  to  have  recourse  to  fervent  prayer  when  we  are  suffering,  or  in any  sort  of  trouble;  for  God  is  the  great  Consoler  and  Helper,  being holy and  all  powerful. “Is any  of  you  sad,  let  him  pray”  (James  5, 13).

The power  of  prayer. By  prayer  Anna  obtained  a son;  and  by prayer  Samuel  obtained  help  for  his  people. “Samuel cried  to  the  Lord for Israel,  and  the  Lord  heard  him”  (1  Kings  7,  9). Why, therefore, should not  God  hearken  to  the  intercession  of  the  Saints  in  heaven?

Keeping vows  (see  Old  Test.  XVII). Anna kept  her  vow  faithfully. She most  certainly  wished  to  keep  her  beloved  child  with  her, but, all  the  same,  she  “lent  him  to  the  Lord”.

Fasting and  confession  of  sins  are  penances  well-pleasing  to  God, and obtain  pardon  from  Him. The Israelites  bewailed  and  confessed their sins,  formed  good  resolutions,  and  made  satisfaction  by  fasting.