1 Samuel 1:19–28

Introduction

1 Samuel 1:19–28: Hannah gives birth to a son and names him Samuel, which, in Hebrew, means “name of God.” Today’s reading connects the name to the Hebrew verb for “ask.” After weaning Samuel, Hannah brings him to Shiloh to be dedicated to the Lord, fulfilling her promise.

Today’s Key Verse: 1 Samuel 1:28a GNT

[Hannah said:] “So I am dedicating him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he will belong to the LORD.”

Read

¹⁹ The next morning Elkanah and his family got up early, and after worshiping the Lord, they went back home to Ramah. Elkanah had intercourse with his wife Hannah, and the Lord answered her prayer. ²⁰ So it was that she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, and explained, “I asked the Lord for him.”

²¹ The time came again for Elkanah and his family to go to Shiloh and offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and the special sacrifice he had promised. ²² But this time Hannah did not go. She told her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will take him to the house of the Lord, where he will stay all his life.”

²³ Elkanah answered, “All right, do whatever you think best; stay at home until you have weaned him. And may the Lord make your promise come true.” So Hannah stayed at home and nursed her child.

²⁴ After she had weaned him, she took him to Shiloh, taking along a three-year-old bull, a bushel of flour, and a leather bag full of wine. She took Samuel, young as he was, to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. ²⁵ After they had killed the bull, they took the child to Eli. ²⁶ Hannah said to him, “Excuse me, sir. Do you remember me? I am the woman you saw standing here, praying to the Lord. ²⁷ I asked him for this child, and he gave me what I asked for. ²⁸ So I am dedicating him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he will belong to the Lord.”

Then they worshiped the Lord there.

Reflect

Imagine being in Hannah’s place. What thoughts might she have had when relinquishing her long-awaited child to serve God (in another city)? What are your thoughts about Hannah’s decision?

Pray

Lord God, your promises are trustworthy. I proclaim your greatness and seek to serve you, reflecting your love to all I encounter today. Amen.

And now, join us in praying for the ongoing Maori Audio Bible Project that is bringing Scripture to life in Te Reo. Gracious God, we thank you for the support of Bible-A-Month Partners, empowering the Bible Society New Zealand, Te Wananga Ihorangi, and the Christian Broadcasting Association to launch the Maori Audio Bible Project which will record all 66 books of Te Paipera Tapu (Maori Bible). (This resource will strengthen Bible engagement and language revitalization. The four Gospels are already completed and available on apps, YouTube, and YouVersion, with future stages set to cover the New Testament and then the Old Testament.) Praise to you, Lord God, for this Audio Bible Project that will ensure accessibility to your Word for all communities. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

1 Samuel 2:1–11: Hannah offers a prayer of thanksgiving.