June 14 & 15, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Samuel and Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Samuel 1 (NIV)
The Birth of Samuel
1 There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.…..Continue Reading
Once again a large ministry of God starts simplpy with a man, Elkanah, and his two wives. The obvious reason why God never intended men to take two wives is evident here in Hannah’s heartbreak over her lack of children and Peninnah’s ridicule of her as a result. But Elkanah was a loving husband and did not seem to care that Hannah was barren even though it certainly bothered her. God heard her desperate prayers as I know God does and in His timing will answer as He did for Hannah. Must have been so difficult for her to have her heart’s desire and then give him to the Lord but I appreciate her and Elkanah’s faithfulness to follow through with her vow.
1 Samuel 1
What a bad example is given here in the way that this woman treats Hannah. It is never a good thing to project our insecurity or angst on another and cause them pain or heartache because of it. But Hannah handles it with grace and doesn’t appear to retaliate and her husband helps by encouraging her and compensating her with a double portion. It is interesting to note from Leviticus that a portion of certain offerings went to the offerer and that is what is being described here. You also find vestiges of what has come from the time of the judges in Hannah making a deal with God and saying that she won’t cut his hair. We also learn here that it is not a good idea to presume what is happening with a person but just ask, rather than making a wrong judgement. But what a miraculous way that Samuel enters the world and he will be a very significant person in the plan of God establishing a more righteous foundation for Israel as the last judge of the nation.
1 Samuel 1; 1 Kings 17-22; Obadiah 1
I guess we’re skipping Ruth?
2 Chronicles 18-21
1 Samuel 1
! Samuel 1
I was thinking of how our society has gradually devalued what God elevated. God said, be fruitful and multiply. A woman who couldn’t have children was distraught. Having children was a blessing. Now we tell women to forsake having children for a career. It is backwards. I was listening to Jordan Peterson talk about how the prime years for a woman to have children is 18-30, now women are putting off having kids until over 30. I wonder how we are feeding this mentality in the church and discouraging young people from marriage and independence. Of course culture is doing the same, financial independence is very difficult right now.
It is very interesting how God uses barren women to fulfill His plans.
1Samuel 1and 2
1 Samuel 1and 2
1 Samuel 1
1Samuel 1