Four perspectives on conception 1. A loving husband who is faithful in the worship of God but has succumbed to the cultural practice of polygamy is blessed with a surprise. 2. A dutiful and patient wife, who knows God is sovereign, silently prays in the place of worship and has her spirits lifted and her prayer answered. 3. A resting priest comes to a wrong conclusion but recovers. 4. A sovereign God hears and hatches a grand plan. In the last judge of Israel (1 Samuel 7:15) we have one who was born as a result of prayer on the part of his mother and was given a dutiful example of worship by his father. The priest in charge of the tabernacle located in Shiloh could get things wronged he is to be the boy’s tutor but wasn’t very good at discernment. The brief narrative forms the very beginning of a transition for the nation of Israel whom God has loved and has protected. The story has greatest significance when viewed from His perspective.