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Daily Bible Reading “God Answers Hannah’s Prayer” (1 Samuel 1:15-28)

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

God Answers Hannah’s Prayer

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 1:15-28. In this Scripture, we see how God answers Hannah’s prayer. In the previous lesson, we saw that Hannah was distraught because she couldn’t have a baby. She wept and prayed to God begging Him to give her a son. The priest saw her and thought she was drunk. Why did the priest think she was drunk?

Hannah answered Eli saying, “No, I am not drunk. I am very upset. I just poured my soul out to the LORD.” She told Eli not to count her as a daughter of the devil. Eli told her to go in peace and blessed her saying, “May the God of Israel grant your request.” Hannah found grace in God and in Eli. After she prayed to God and Eli blessed her she went to eat and was no longer sad. She found hope in the LORD and believed He would answer her prayer.

The next morning Hannah and her family got up early and worshiped the LORD, then they traveled back home to Ramah. That night Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah. The LORD remembered Hannah’s cry. He blessed her and she conceived a son. When the child was born Hannah named him Samuel because she asked for him from the LORD. Samuel was a gift to Hannah from the LORD.

The next year when Elkanah and the rest of the family went on their yearly journey to the temple in Shiloh, Hannah and Samuel didn’t go. Hannah told her husband she would stay home until Samuel was weaned from breastfeeding. Then, she would take him, dedicate him to the LORD, and he would stay there forever. Elkanah told Hannah she could do whatever she thought was right, after all, it was her and God who made the agreement.

After Hannah weaned Samuel she took him, three bullocks, one ephah of flour and a bottle of wine along with her to the temple in Shiloh. Biblical scholars believe that Samuel was probably about three years old when they went to the temple. Mothers nursed their babies for a long time in biblical times, though they also fed them solid food once they were old enough to eat it. They sacrificed the bullock and took Samuel to Eli, the priest, to present him to the LORD.

Hannah told Eli that she was the woman who had been crying and praying to the LORD for a child. She told him that this is the child she had prayed for; the LORD answered her prayer and blessed her with a son. Hannah promised God if He gave her a son she would lend him to the LORD all the days of his life. God answered her prayer and Hannah kept the promise she made to the LORD. Can you imagine how hard it was for Hannah to take her son and leave him at the temple because he was still a little boy?

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 1:15-28

15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.

20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.

21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.

23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.

25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.

27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

Things to think about:

Does God always answer our prayers immediately? If not, how should we react in the meantime?
Does God always say yes to our prayers? If not, what are some other ways He may respond to our prayers?
What do you think it took for Hannah to be able to keep her promise to the LORD?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture where we see how You answered Hannah’s prayer. Thank You that You hear our prayers and answer them. Help us to understand that the answer might not come today. The answer may be for us to wait, the answer may be no, but You always hear and answer our prayers. Help us to keep our promises to You as Hannah did. 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

Christian Music Video:

Featured Book:

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

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B01H1B7DSM

Get your copy now!

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive the Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study the Bible along with us.

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

Christian Music Video:

Featured Book:

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

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

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.

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B01H1B7DSM

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive the Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Daily Bible Reading “Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14)

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Deborah H. Bateman

Immanuel

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from a variety of Scriptures surrounding the birth of Jesus.

The writers of the Old Testament prophesied about the birth of Jesus Christ hundreds of years before it took place. How could they have known all of this information about the birth of Jesus Christ?

Isaiah told about a virgin who would conceive and have a son who would be called Immanuel, which means, “God with us.”

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

This prophecy is referred to in the New Testament during Joseph’s dream in Matthew 1:23, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

In Isaiah 9:6 we are told that Jesus would come as a baby born into this world, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” We are also told of some of the names that He would be called.

In Genesis 22:18 the angel of the LORD told Abraham, “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” Isaiah 11:1-10 tells us that He would be a descendent of Jesse, the father of King David.

Jeremiah 23:5 refers to Him being from the line of David, “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”

Genesis 49:10 indicates that He will come from the tribe of Judah, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”

Numbers 24:17 says that He will be a descendant of Jacob, “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”

You can find the genealogy of Jesus listed in the New Testament in Matthew chapter 1, which clearly shows that Jesus was a descendant of Abraham, Jesse, and King David and follows the blood line all the way through to Joseph, his earthly father, the husband of Mary.

The prophet Micah informs us that He would be born in Bethlehem. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2). This prophecy is referred to in Matthew 2:1-6.

Hosea 11:1 tells us that He was called out of Egypt, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” This prophecy is fulfilled in Matthew 2:13-15, And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”

Jesus was born into this world for a very specific reason, to be the Savior of the world. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, He is still with us today, living in our hearts.

Things to think about:

How could these writers of the Old Testament have known all of this information about the birth of Jesus unless the LORD told them?

What ways do you celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas?

Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? If so, write about your salvation experience. If not, why not consider doing so today?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read all these Scriptures from the Old and New Testament we learn about the prophesies surrounding Jesus’ birth. Thank You for sending Your only Son into this wicked world to be the sacrifice of our sins. As we celebrate Christmas let us all remember what we are truly celebrating, the birth of Jesus Christ. Help us also to be thankful to You for Your many blessings. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

To learn more about the life of Jesus Christ check out my book: The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ by Deborah H. Bateman.

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. We will continue to share Scriptures in honor of the celebration of Jesus’ birth for Christmas.

Featured Book:

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman, which takes you through the life of Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament of the Bible. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ and His birth.

The Book of Matthew also goes into Jesus’ ministry on earth, including the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ parables, and Jesus’ final days, including His death, burial, and resurrection. The book concludes with the great commission.

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ includes fifty-seven daily devotionals which contain a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions to think about, and a prayer of the day. It is a great book for individual daily devotions or a group Bible study.

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B00C1JGJMQ
Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive

Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox Monday – Friday.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Be in One Accord” (Philippians 2:1-16)

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Deborah H. Bateman

Be in One Accord

In light of the recent events in our country over the past several months, I thought it might be appropriate for us to be reminded of this Scripture in Philippians 2, where Paul talks to the church of Philippi about being in one accord. What does it mean to be in one accord?

Some of the phrases that might be the same as being in one accord are:

Being in unison
Being in harmony
Being of one mind
Being like-minded
Having a singleness of mind and purpose
Being joined together
Having a singleness of heart
Being one in spirit and mind
Sharing the same feelings
Focusing on the same goal
United in spirit
Intent on one purpose

In this Scripture Paul explains to the people how important it is for them to be united as one body in Christ. He reminds them of the humility that Jesus had to take on the body of a man and be crucified on the cross and encourages them to let that same mindset be in them.

He tells them to do all things without grumbling and arguing so that we might be lights in the midst of this crooked and perverse world. If we don’t shine our lights in the darkness, who will?

Over the past several months the enemy has done everything he can to try to destroy the body of Christ by trying to divide and conquer us.

He has tried to ruin our testimony by having us bicker and argue over the events that have been taking place. The enemy will use anything he can to get our minds and focus off of what we should be doing and cause division among us.

Personally, I don’t get involved too much in politics and I don’t like discussing it, especially in a public forum, because I know it is a touchy subject for a lot of people. I don’t try to force my opinion about politics on other people. I feel that this is a personal decision that everybody has to make for themselves.

We all have our own opinions about things and everybody is entitled to their opinion. Why can’t we agree to disagree without being rude and hateful to one another?

I have seen people on social media saying things like, “You’re a ________ if you vote for _________.” You can fill in the blanks with anything you can imagine. This is a form of intimidation. It reminds me of the way kids bully one another in school, just because they are different than them.

The whole point of living in a democratic country is that we have a free will, the right to choose. Each person has the right to vote for who they wish. We should not have to feel intimidated by other people to choose who they think is the right candidate. Even God, when He created man, gave us a free will, the right to choose.

The people on the news are bad about doing things like this, as well. I only read and listen to enough of the news to find out what I need to know because they repeat the same things over and over again. It seems like they try to cause division too.

There is rarely any good news shared by anybody anymore. If I have questions about politics or need to discuss something like that I talk it over with my husband or daughters in private. I know that even if we disagree they won’t stop loving me because we have a different opinion. The best thing we can do, as believers, is pray and ask God to show us the right thing to do.

Jesus warned us in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Do we want to live as believers letting the enemy rob us of our joy, peace, and unity with one another, or do we want to live the abundant life that Jesus died to give us? Let’s strive to live in one accord with one another.

Daily Bible Reading:

Philippians 2:1-16

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Things to think about:

How does this Scripture say that we as believers should treat one another?
How should we act?

After reading this Scripture, is there anything you need to repent of?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this Scripture in Philippians where Paul reminds us to live in one accord with one another. Help us to do so. Forgive us of the times that we have not been in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Help us not to let the events of this world keep us from doing the things we need to do for You. Help us not to let the current events cause division among us as believers. Forgive us, LORD and help us to be what You would have us to be. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Have you read: The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi

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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.

Featured Book:

The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi is a Daily Bible Reading study of the book of Philippians by Deborah H. Bateman. The book of Philippians is from the New Testament of the Bible and is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters. In the book of Philippians Paul encourages the saints at Philippi to be strong in their faith, to stand fast in the Lord, and to be content in Christ.

Paul loved the Philippians and it shows in his writing to them. Paul knew that they loved him as well. The Philippians showed their love for Paul by supporting his ministry.

Paul would never forget the Philippians because of the way they cared for him when he ministered to them. They would always have a special place in his heart.

Paul wanted the best for the Philippians. He wanted to make sure they never let anybody steer them in the wrong direction. He wanted them to stay on course and do the things he had taught them whether he was with them or not.

The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi contains ten Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, several questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer for the day to go along with the lesson. This is a great Bible study for individual daily devotions or for a group Bible study.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B00INHXUWM

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox
at: http://DeborahHBateman.com/subscribe

Have a blessed day,

Deborah