IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Introduction to 1 & 2 Samuel

Key Verse: 1:18

1. Elkanah and his family (1-8)

The period of the Judges was a time where Israel had no king, and everyone did as they saw fit. The worship of the Lord however continued through those like Elkanah. He had two wives and many sons and daughters. On this occasion he went up to worship, as he did every year. But there was a problem. The Lord had closed the womb of his wife Hannah. Though Elkanah loved her as best he could, Hannah was downhearted because she remained childless.

2. Hannah's prayer (9-18)

Hannah was childless, and she was always provoked by Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, the mother of Elkanah's children. She took this before the Lord in prayer. This was her worship. She offered herself to the Lord in prayer for a son, then by faith offered her son to the Lord forever. Though the priest originally thought she was drunk, when he heard her story he blessed her. Hannah accepted this as the word of God. She struggled and suffered before the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, this world is full of struggles. Help me to see your face in each of them.

One Word: Her face was no longer downcast