| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| April 7, 2026 | ESV (2016) | ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026 |
1 Samuel 1-2
Observation & Interpretation
Hannah was forlorn because of her barrenness and this was exacerbated by the provocation of Peninnah, her husband’s other wife. Hannah prayed to the LORD and vowed that if He would look on her affliction and give her a son, she would give him to the LORD all the days of his life and no razor would touch his head. Eli oversaw her prayer and perceived her to be drunk, but Hannah told him that she was troubled in spirit and had been speaking out of her anxiety and vexation. When Eli realized her seriousness, he blessed her and sent her away in peace. In the morning, they rose up and worshiped the LORD, went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah and the LORD remembered her. Hannah eventually conceived a son and called his name Samuel.
Elkanah and Hannah agreed that she would wait until the boy was weaned before going up to offer the yearly sacrifice to the LORD. When Samuel was weaned, Hannah took him up, brought him to the house of the LORD, slaughtered the bull and brought the child to Eli. Hannah, no with the child for which Eli had blessed, told Eli that she was the one who had previously stood in his presence and that the LORD had granted her the petition that she had made for a child. She told Eli that therefore she had lent him to the LORD as long as he lives and Eli worshiped the LORD there.
Application
The faith of Hannah and grace expressed toward her by the LORD in the opening chapter of 1 Samuel is profound. Hannah longed for a son and brought her desire to the LORD directly with the promise that she would give her son to the LORD all the days of his life. The LORD was gracious to listen—”and the LORD remembered her” (1 Sam. 1:19)—and granted her a son. Hannah then fulfilled her vow in bringing her son, Samuel, before the LORD to be lent to Him all the days of his life.
Samuel’s dedication to the LORD foreshadows a Son that many years later would be borne to the LORD in full devotion. Jesus is the true and better Samuel who was faithful to the Father unto death, even death on a cross, so that those whom He has chosen would be cleansed by His sacrifice and restored to right relationship with their Creator.
Resources
- J. I. Packer et. al, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)
- Colin Hansen (Editor in Chief), TGC Bible Commentary (Columbia, MO: The Gospel Coalition, 2022)
- Iain M. Duguid (Series Editor), ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018-2025)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)
- The New American Commentary (Brentwood, TN: Holman Reference)
- Lane T. Dennis and Wayne Grudem (Editors), ESV Study Bible, Crossway, 2008.
