I am excited to share highlights from my time with the Lord in 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, and 1-2 Chronicles. Reading in chronological order brought cohesion to the Bible as One Story.

There are a couple of ways you can follow along with me:

//  ONE  // 

When you have more time available, get cozy in your favorite spot with your Bible, notepad, and pen.

Read the passage first and ask the Holy Spirit for understanding to draw your attention to what He wants you to see. He’ll do it.

After reading through on your own, jot down how you’d answer the questions I pondered over. 

Notice what stands out to you. 

The prayer and reflection are where the Holy Spirit wows me every time.

//  TWO  //

Another option, when you are short on time either on a lunch break or winding down for the day, is read through the summary I provide and think about who God is and how that changes your relationship with Him.

DEVOTIONAL

Let’s get started!

Year after year making the trip to Shiloh to sacrifice to God, Hannah walked next to Peninnah (the other wife). Did Hannah feel empty-handed and weighed down with shame because she was barren? Hannah’s eyes focused on what she did not have by comparing her circumstances to Peninnah. Although Elkanah, her husband, adored Hannah (1:5) more than his other wife Peninnah, Hannah could not see it. The things we do not have compared to the sister next to us impairs our vision.

Q: Where do I overlook God’s grace and love for me because I distract myself with what the person next to me is celebrating?

The passage continues to illustrate for us the depth of Hannah’s ache as a barren wife. I can see her weary body crying out to God. Samuel does not specify which year this was that Hannah cries out to God at Shiloh. Did Hannah cry out every year? Was this recording the 5th year they sacrificed at Shiloh? The 20th year? Was Hannah sitting in the deep longing to carry a child, to be a mother, every day of her life with Elkanah or only as they journeyed back to the temple in Shiloh?

Hannah pours out her heart to God again and again. She does not stop. (1:10-11,15-16)

In verse 17, Eli the priest in Shiloh blesses Hannah with the promise that God will answer her prayer. I feel the way the rest of the interaction between Eli and Hannah played out was missing shouts of praise, tears of rejoicing, ANYTHING to ignite a hallelujah in the name of the Lord. Hannah prayed for YEARS. Hannah wept for YEARS. Hannah lived barren for YEARS. In a single moment, the Lord answers. Hannah’s response teaches me to believe in the Lord and to trust what the Lord says. Hannah responds with full belief in the blessing Eli speaks over her because the next verse says, “her face was no longer sad, and she ate.” This is a woman that every year marches to Shiloh to sacrifice to God and feels empty-handed compared to Peninnah. Maybe Hannah was the one bringing the greater offering, herself, to God. Hannah poured out her tears on the altar to God. Every. Single. Year.

Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

1 Samuel 1:18

The next day before Hannah journeys back home from Shiloh, verse 19 says she worshiped God. Can you imagine the scene? Was Hannah bursting at the seams, dancing around, and lifting her hands? I pray that is how I respond to the Lord.

Hannah did not lose hope in her God. She saw that He made a way.

Q: Have you lost hope crying out to God for one “thing” so you stopped crying out to God altogether? What is the last “thing” you cried out to God about?