Daily Bible Reading “Hannah Prays to God” (1 Samuel 1:1-14)

Posted on May 29, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

Hannah Prays to God

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 1:1-14. In this Scripture, we learn about a lady by the name of Hannah. She was one of the wives of Elkanah. His other wife was named Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but God hadn’t blessed Hannah with children.

Each year Elkanah and his wives went to the city of Shiloh to worship and bring sacrifices to the LORD. When Elkanah offered his sacrifices he gave Peninnah and all her children portions, but Hannah only got a small portion, because she didn’t have any children. How do you think this made Hannah feel?

There was some tension between Peninnah and Hannah because of the fact that one had children and the other one didn’t. No doubt Peninnah bragged and made Hannah feel sad about the situation, so much so she caused Hannah to cry and not eat.

Elkanah asked Hannah why she was crying, why she wouldn’t eat and why was she so sad? He asked her, “Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Hannah loved her husband, but she also wanted to give him children.

After they finished dinner Hannah went to the temple and poured her heart out to God, crying and praying to God asking Him to give her a son. She promised God if He would give her a son she would dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor would ever come on his head.

First John 5:14-15 says, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” Hannah loved God and she trusted Him with her concerns.

Hannah was praying in her heart. She didn’t speak out loud – only her mouth was moving. Eli the priest was nearby, saw Hannah and thought she was drunk. He asked her how long she was going to be drunk and told her to put away the wine.

I can empathize with Hannah. I was married to my husband for eight years before we had our first child. I loved my husband, but I also wanted to have children as Hannah did. I remember being distraught, crying, praying to God and begging Him to give us children.

I would see other people who had children and not understand why God blessed them and hadn’t given us children. It was a very trying time in my life and I am sure it was for my husband as well. There were many days I was so sad because of it I would cry. I had two miscarriages, then, finally, we had our first daughter. God ended up blessing us with two beautiful daughters and now He has blessed us with five precious grandchildren.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 1:1-14

1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.
13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

Things to think about:

Describe how you think Hannah felt.

Have you ever wanted something as much as Hannah wanted a child? If so, describe how you felt.

In what ways did you turn your concerns over to the LORD?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this story of Hannah. It reminds us no matter what our burden is we can bring it to You. Hannah was desperate to have children and she had no one to turn to but You. She knew You loved her, cared for her and she could trust You with her concerns. Help us to remember You are always there for us, You love us and care about what we are going through in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

– This is an excerpt from our new release The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings

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Featured Book:

The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings by Deborah H. Bateman is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of 1 Samuel. This is the 31st book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book of 1 Samuel is found in the Old Testament of the Bible.

The Book of 1 Samuel not only discusses the life and call of Samuel as a prophet but also includes events that happened during his lifetime. The people of Israel insisted on having a king and even though Samuel tried to warn them of the dangers of appointing a king, they insisted. So God chose Saul to be their king. A good portion of the book includes the events during the reign of King Saul including the ongoing rivalry between King Saul and David.

The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings contains 71 Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson consists of a commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer to go along with the lesson. This Bible study is great as a personal daily devotional or a group Bible study.

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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Samuel Speaks to Saul” (1 Samuel 28:15-25)

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Samuel Speaks to Saul

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 28:15-25. Samuel asked Saul why he disturbed him. Saul told Samuel that he was upset because the Philistines were going to war against Israel. He told Samuel that God rejected him and wouldn’t answer his prayers. Saul thought Samuel could advise him as to what to do.

Samuel asked Saul why he was asking him since the LORD became enemies with Saul. Samuel told Saul that the LORD did as he told him he would do and took the kingdom from Saul and given it to David.

Samuel told Saul the LORD did this because he didn’t obey the LORD. Samuel informed Saul that the LORD was going to deliver him, his sons, and Israel into the hands of the Philistines the next day.

Saul was so afraid because of what Samuel told him he fell to the ground. He was so weak because he hadn’t eaten anything all day or night.

The woman of Endor saw that Saul was upset and in a weakened state so she asked him to allow her to fix him something to eat. Saul told her he wasn’t going to eat, but she and his servants convinced Saul to eat.

The woman had a fatted calf and some flour so she made Saul and his men food to eat before they left to go into battle.

We may come to a time in our lives when we’re in trouble and call out to God, but don’t hear from Him. It may be that we have sinned against God or disobeyed Him in some way.

We may need to search our hearts, confess our sins, and ask God to forgive us before we can resume communication with Him. Has this ever happened to you? If so, what did you do?

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 28:15-25

15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.
16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?
17 And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:
18 Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.
19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
21 And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.
22 Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.
23 But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.
24 And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:
25 And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.

Things to think about:

Why did Saul tell Samuel he disturbed him?

What was Samuel’s response to Saul?

What did Samuel tell Saul was the reason the LORD wasn’t answering his prayers?

What did Samuel tell Saul was about to happen?

What was Saul’s response?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in 1 Samuel, we see that Saul was quite upset about the situation he had gotten himself into. Help us to use this lesson to realize that our disobedience can hinder our communication with You. Help us to repent if we ever find ourselves in this condition and get our hearts right with You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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New Release:

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Nehemiah by Deborah H. Bateman. The book of Nehemiah is found in the Old Testament of the Bible. Nehemiah was led by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was a great leader. He headed up the project. Despite the opposition that the Jewish people encountered they were able to complete this major project in less than sixty days. Their dedication and determination shines through in every aspect of the project.

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination contains eighteen Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion and a prayer for the day. This is a great Bible study that can be used for either a personal Daily Bible Reading Study or for a group Bible study.

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Daily Bible Reading “Samuel Dies” (1 Samuel 25:1-9)

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Samuel Dies

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 25:1-9. We learn in this Scripture that Samuel died. The people of Israel gathered together and mourned over him. They buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David went to the wilderness of Paran.

There was a wealthy man from Maon called Nabal. He owned three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

Nabal’s wife, Abigail, was a beautiful, intelligent woman. But, Nabal was an evil man. He was a Calebite.

David heard that Nabal was sheering his sheep in Carmel. David sent ten young men to Carmel to greet Nabal in his name. The men were to offer peace to Nabal, his house and all that belonged to Nabal.

They were to tell Nabal that they knew it was sheep-sheering time and they hadn’t harmed one of his sheep-shearers in Carmel. Neither did they take anything from them.

The men were sent to ask favor for David and his men from Nabal since it was a feast time. The men did as David asked and went to see Nabal and seek his generosity toward David and his men.

David and his soldiers were wandering around in the wilderness. They had to seek food and provisions wherever they could. God provided for their needs through different people.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 25:1-9

1 And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.
2 And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
3 Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
4 And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.
5 And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:
6 And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.
7 And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.
8 Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.
9 And when David’s young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.

Things to think about:

Who are we told died at the beginning of this chapter?

Who is the new character that we are introduced to in this chapter?

What did we find out about this character?

Who was his wife and what did we learn about her?

What was David’s request from this wealthy man?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture from 1 Samuel we learn of Samuel’s death and the mourning of the people of Israel. We also learn of a wealthy man named Nabal and his wife Abigail. We see that David was trusting You to provide for him and his men on their journey. He was seeking people who were able to help provide for them. Help us to trust Your provision for us as we journey through this life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study. We will continue with the study of The Book of 1 Samuel.