Daily Bible Devotion - 1 Samuel 1:1-28

A JOURNEY THROUGH 1 AND 2 SAMUEL

23. October 2026

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: NEW DIRECTION

Sub-theme: A NEW DIRECTION BEGINS WITH PRAYER

Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1–28

Please take your time to read this devotion and underline the Bible verses in your Bible as you go along. Allow about 30 minutes to read the devotion and Scriptures thoughtfully, reflecting on what God is teaching you through His Word.

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INTRODUCTION

Every new direction in life begins with a decision to seek God. There are moments when our circumstances seem to contradict God’s promises, when our prayers appear unanswered, and when the pain we carry becomes difficult to explain. Yet, the Bible shows us that God can use difficult seasons to prepare us for something significant.

In 1 Samuel 1:1–28, we encounter Hannah, a woman who experienced deep emotional pain because she had no children. Although she was loved by her husband, she faced provocation from Peninnah and carried a burden that affected her deeply. However, Hannah did not allow her pain to drive her away from God. Instead, she took her burden to the Lord in prayer.

Her story teaches us that a new direction does not always begin when our circumstances change. Sometimes, it begins when our hearts turn fully towards God.

As we journey through this chapter, may the Lord teach us how to pray, trust Him in difficult seasons, honour our commitments, and dedicate the blessings He gives us to His purposes.

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1. GOD CAN BEGIN A NEW STORY IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR PAIN

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1–8

First Samuel 1 introduces us to Elkanah, Hannah, and Peninnah. Every year, Elkanah went up from his city to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts.

Despite the challenges in his household, Elkanah maintained the practice of going to the place of worship. His family did not abandon the gathering of God’s people because of their personal struggles.

Today, we must also understand the importance of gathering together as believers. Personal devotion and home fellowships are valuable, but they should not become excuses for neglecting the gathering of the church. God calls us to worship Him together, encourage one another, and grow as a community of faith.

Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV) reminds us:

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another…”

Our gathering is not merely a religious routine. It is an opportunity to worship God, receive His Word, encourage one another, and strengthen our faith.

However, even while Elkanah continued to worship, his household faced a painful situation. Hannah had no children, while Peninnah had sons and daughters. Although Elkanah loved Hannah and gave her a special portion, Peninnah provoked her continually because of her barrenness.

Elkanah asked Hannah:

1 Samuel 1:8 (NKJV)

“Am I not better to you than ten sons?”

His question reveals his love for Hannah, but it also reminds us that human love, however sincere, cannot always remove the deepest pain in another person’s heart.

We see a similar pattern in the story of Rachel and Leah in Genesis 29–30. Their relationship was affected by rivalry, comparison, and the desire to have children. These accounts remind us that family struggles and personal pain are not new to humanity.

Sometimes, God can use infertility as part of His hidden agenda and divine purpose for a person’s life. Other times, it may be part of God’s plan to bring about something significant in the future, as we see in Hannah’s story.

Hannah’s pain was real, but her story was not finished.

Psalm 34:18 (NKJV) says:

“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart…”

The fact that you are experiencing pain does not mean God has abandoned you. A difficult season does not have to be the end of your story.

Key lesson: Never allow your present pain to convince you that God has no future purpose for your life. Continue to worship, trust Him, and remain faithful in His presence.

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2. TAKE YOUR PAIN TO GOD IN PRAYER

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:9–13

Hannah’s response to her pain is one of the most powerful lessons in this chapter.

1 Samuel 1:10 (NKJV) says:

“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish.”

Hannah did not pretend that everything was fine. She was honest before God about her pain. She brought her bitterness, tears, and anguish into His presence.

There are times when we cannot adequately explain what we are going through to other people. Even those who love us may not fully understand the burden we carry. But we can always come before God.

In my writing on different kinds of prayer, I explore various expressions of prayer, including silent prayer, intercessory prayer, and warfare prayer. Hannah’s experience gives us an important lesson about praying from the heart.

The Bible tells us that Hannah spoke in her heart. Her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Eli saw her lips moving and assumed that she was drunk.

1 Samuel 1:13 (NKJV) says:

“Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard.”

This shows us that prayer does not always have to be loud. Sometimes, the heart must do the talking. There are moments when we are so burdened that words cannot adequately express what is happening within us.

What matters is that our hearts are genuinely engaged with God.

We must also understand the danger of praying with our lips while our hearts are far away. Sometimes, we repeat familiar words without really paying attention to what we are saying. We may be praying while our minds are occupied with worries, responsibilities, or other distractions.

This happens to everyone, including me. There are moments when I realise that my lips are speaking, but my thoughts have wandered elsewhere.

Jesus warned His disciples against vain repetitions in prayer.

Matthew 6:7 (NKJV) teaches:

“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.”

The problem is not repetition itself. The Bible contains repeated prayers and expressions of worship. The danger is vain repetition: words spoken without meaningful engagement of the heart.

God desires sincere communication with Him. We should seek to bring our minds, hearts, and attention into His presence.

When we do not know how to pray as we ought, the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.

Romans 8:26 reminds us that the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and intercedes for us according to God’s will.

We are also encouraged in Philippians 4:6–7 to bring our requests to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, trusting Him to guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Hannah teaches us that prayer is not about pretending to be strong. It is about bringing our real selves before a God who hears us.

Key lesson: Do not allow pain to push you away from God. Let it become a reason to draw closer to Him. Pray sincerely, engage your heart, and trust Him with what you cannot control.

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3. MAKE YOUR VOWS CAREFULLY AND HONOUR YOUR COMMITMENTS

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:11

As Hannah prayed, she made a vow before the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:11 (NKJV) records her words:

“O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me…”

Hannah promised that if God gave her a son, she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life.

Her prayer was not merely a request for a blessing. It included a commitment concerning what she would do if God answered her prayer.

This is a serious lesson for us. When we are in difficulty, it can be easy to make promises to God. We may promise to serve Him more faithfully, give more generously, pray more consistently, or dedicate our time and resources to His work.

But what happens when the pressure passes and the answer comes?

I have personally made vows before God. Some I have fulfilled, while others I have forgotten. This has taught me the importance of being careful about the commitments I make in His presence.

The Bible warns us not to treat our vows lightly.

Ecclesiastes 5:4–5 teaches that when we make a vow to God, we should not delay in fulfilling it. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and fail to fulfil it.

Psalm 76:11 also calls us to make vows to the Lord our God and fulfil them.

We must therefore approach our commitments with sincerity and reverence. We should not make promises merely because we are emotional, desperate, or seeking an immediate answer.

If you have made a commitment to God, take time to examine it. Ask yourself whether there are promises you need to fulfil, responsibilities you have neglected, or commitments you need to honour.

A new direction requires more than asking God to do something for us. It also requires faithfulness in what we have promised to do for Him.

Key lesson: Be careful with your words before God. Do not make promises lightly, and do not forget your commitments when your circumstances improve.

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4. DO NOT BE QUICK TO JUDGE WHAT YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:12–14

While Hannah continued praying, Eli observed her. Because her lips were moving without any audible words, he assumed that she was drunk.

Here was a woman pouring out her soul before God, yet the spiritual leader who observed her misunderstood what was happening.

This teaches us an important lesson about making judgments. What we see on the outside does not always reveal what is happening within a person’s heart.

People may be fighting battles we know nothing about. Someone may appear quiet because they are carrying a heavy burden. Another person may behave differently because they are under pressure or seeking God in a way we do not understand.

We must learn to ask questions before drawing conclusions.

God reminds Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7 that people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

The New Testament also identifies discernment as a spiritual gift. 1 Corinthians 12:10 mentions the discerning of spirits among the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We should desire spiritual discernment so that we can recognise what is happening, respond wisely, and serve others effectively.

However, discernment must not become an excuse for suspicion, accusation, or careless judgment. We must remain humble and allow God’s Word and Spirit to guide us.

James gives us practical instruction:

James 1:19 (NKJV) says:

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

How many relationships have been damaged because someone spoke before listening? How many people have been discouraged because their situation was misunderstood?

As believers, we must cultivate the discipline of listening carefully, asking questions, and seeking understanding before reaching conclusions.

Key lesson: Do not be quick to judge another person’s actions when you do not understand their circumstances. Listen first, seek understanding, and allow God to guide your response.

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5. HONOUR SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP, EVEN WHEN YOU ARE MISUNDERSTOOD

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:15–17

When Eli accused Hannah of being drunk, she could have responded with anger and disrespect. Instead, she answered him respectfully and explained her situation.

1 Samuel 1:15 (NKJV) records Hannah’s response:

“No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit.”

She explained that she had not been drinking but was pouring out her soul before the Lord.

Hannah’s response demonstrates emotional maturity. She did not allow the misunderstanding to determine her attitude. She communicated the truth without becoming disrespectful.

There is a lesson here for every believer, particularly those who serve in the church. There may be moments when leaders misunderstand our intentions, misinterpret our actions, or make decisions we find difficult to understand.

We should learn to communicate respectfully, explain ourselves honestly, and seek resolution rather than immediately becoming offended.

At the same time, honouring spiritual leadership does not mean following leaders blindly. Every leader remains accountable to God and His Word. Honour must never be used to excuse abuse, manipulation, or conduct that contradicts Scripture.

Biblical honour calls us to maintain respect, humility, and integrity while remaining faithful to God’s truth.

After Hannah explained herself, Eli responded by telling her to go in peace and expressing the hope that God would grant her request.

1 Samuel 1:17 records Eli’s words of blessing and encouragement.

What began as a misunderstanding became an opportunity for Hannah to receive encouragement. Her response reminds us that we can communicate truthfully without allowing offence to control our behaviour.

Key lesson: Honour spiritual leadership and communicate with humility. Do not allow misunderstanding to turn into bitterness, contempt, or division.

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6. SEEK GOD’S PURPOSE, NOT JUST HIS BLESSINGS

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:11

Hannah’s prayer reveals that she desired a child, but her request was connected to a greater purpose. She promised to dedicate the child to the Lord.

She was not simply asking God to change her circumstances. She was expressing a willingness to surrender the answer to His purposes.

This is an important distinction in our walk with God. Sometimes, we focus so much on what we want God to give us that we forget to ask what He wants to accomplish through us.

We pray for opportunities, but are we willing to use them to serve Him? We pray for financial increase, but are we willing to become faithful stewards? We pray for influence, but are we willing to use that influence to advance His Kingdom?

A new direction begins when our desires are brought under God’s purposes.

Romans 12:1 calls believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Our lives belong to Him, and our gifts, opportunities, resources, relationships, and influence should be surrendered to His service.

Hannah’s willingness to dedicate Samuel teaches us that the blessing was not meant to end with her. God would use Samuel in His purposes for Israel.

In the same way, God calls us to influence generations with Kingdom principles and values. Our lives should have an impact beyond our personal comfort.

Key lesson: Do not seek only what God can do for you. Ask Him what He wants to accomplish through the blessings, opportunities, and resources He places in your hands.

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7. PRAYER CAN CHANGE YOUR DISPOSITION BEFORE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:18

One of the most remarkable moments in Hannah’s story comes after she has poured out her heart before God.

1 Samuel 1:18 (NKJV) says:

“So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.”

Notice that the Bible does not say Hannah had already received the child she had prayed for. At this point, the circumstances that had caused her pain had not yet visibly changed.

Yet something had changed within her.

She had taken her burden to God, spoken honestly before Him, and received encouragement from Eli. She returned to her activities, and her countenance was no longer the same.

This is one of the powerful works of prayer. Prayer does not always immediately change the situation around us, but it can change how we carry ourselves through that situation.

Sometimes, we enter prayer overwhelmed and leave with peace. We enter discouraged and leave with renewed hope. We enter confused and leave with renewed confidence in God’s faithfulness.

Isaiah 40:31 teaches that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will rise up with renewed endurance, run without becoming weary, and walk without fainting.

Hannah’s story encourages us not to measure the value of prayer only by how quickly our circumstances change. Sometimes, one of the first signs of God’s work is the renewed strength He gives us to continue.

Key lesson: Do not wait until every problem is solved before you allow your heart to find peace in God. Pray, trust Him, and receive the strength to continue while you wait.

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8. REMAIN FAITHFUL AND DEDICATE WHAT GOD GIVES YOU TO HIS PURPOSE

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:19–28

The chapter concludes with God’s answer to Hannah’s prayer. Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel, saying that she had asked him of the Lord.

But the story does not end with Samuel’s birth. Hannah remembered the commitment she had made to God.

When the time came, she took Samuel to the house of the Lord at Shiloh and presented him for the service of God.

1 Samuel 1:27–28 records Hannah’s testimony that she had prayed for the child and that the Lord had granted her petition. She then dedicated Samuel to the Lord.

Hannah’s actions reveal the sincerity of her commitment. She did not forget God after receiving the answer to her prayer.

It is possible to be passionate about God when we need something and become distracted once we receive it. Hannah’s example challenges us to remain faithful after our prayers have been answered.

We must also recognise the importance of raising the next generation in the knowledge of God. Children are not simply blessings to enjoy; they are lives entrusted to us to nurture, teach, and guide according to God’s principles.

Psalm 78:4 speaks of declaring the works of the Lord to the coming generation so that they may know His strength and the wonderful works He has done.

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 instructs God’s people to keep His commandments in their hearts and teach them diligently to their children, speaking of them in the ordinary rhythms of daily life.

This responsibility belongs to families and also has an important place in the life of the church. We must intentionally teach children and young people the Word of God, help them grow in faith, and equip them to live according to Kingdom principles and values.

Hannah’s dedication of Samuel reminds us that the answers God gives us can become instruments for His purposes in the lives of others.

Key lesson: When God answers your prayer, remain faithful. Dedicate your blessings, your family, and your opportunities to His purposes, and invest intentionally in the next generation.

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KEY LESSONS FROM 1 SAMUEL 1:1–28

1. God can begin a new story in the middle of our pain. Our present circumstances do not determine the limits of God’s purpose for our lives.

2. Take your pain to God in sincere prayer. Pray with your heart engaged and bring your burdens honestly before Him.

3. Make your vows carefully and honour your commitments. Do not forget what you have promised God when your circumstances improve.

4. Do not be quick to judge what you do not understand. Listen carefully and seek understanding before drawing conclusions.

5. Honour spiritual leadership with humility and integrity. Respond respectfully while remaining accountable to God’s Word.

6. Seek God’s purpose, not just His blessings. Ask how your life and what God gives you can serve His Kingdom.

7. Prayer can change your disposition before your circumstances change. God can renew your strength and peace while you wait.

8. Remain faithful and dedicate what God gives you to His purpose. Invest in God’s work and intentionally impact the next generation.

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PRAYER POINTS

1. A HEART OF PRAYER, FAITH, AND FAITHFULNESS

Heavenly Father, teach me to bring my burdens before You in sincere prayer. Give me the grace to trust Your timing, remain faithful in difficult seasons, honour my commitments, and find peace in Your presence even before my circumstances change. Help me to pray with my heart fully engaged and to depend on Your strength as I wait for Your answers.

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 1:10–11; Philippians 4:6–7; Ecclesiastes 5:4–5.

2. LIVING FOR GOD’S PURPOSE AND IMPACTING GENERATIONS

Father, help me to seek Your purpose above my personal desires. May I faithfully dedicate my family, gifts, blessings, and opportunities to Your service. Give me wisdom and grace to raise, equip, and impact generations with Kingdom principles and values, for the glory of Your name. Let my life and the blessings You place in my hands become instruments for the advancement of Your Kingdom.

Scriptures: Romans 12:1; Psalm 78:4; Deuteronomy 6:6–7.

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DECLARATION

I declare that my present circumstances will not define the limits of God’s purpose for my life. I will take my pain to God in prayer, trust His timing, and remain faithful in His presence.

I receive grace to pray sincerely, honour my commitments, walk in wisdom, and treat others with understanding and respect.

I will not seek God’s blessings merely for my own comfort. I will surrender my life, my family, my gifts, and my opportunities to His purposes.

As the Lord gives me strength and direction, I will remain faithful and intentionally impact generations with Kingdom principles and values.

My new direction begins with prayer, continues through faithfulness, and leads to the fulfilment of God’s purpose. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What pain or burden do I need to bring honestly before God in prayer?

2. Is my heart fully engaged when I pray, or have I allowed distractions to affect my prayer life?

3. Are there commitments I have made before God that I need to remember and fulfil?

4. How can I become more intentional about dedicating my blessings and opportunities to God’s purposes and impacting the next generation?

Rev J

Author: Rev. Joseph Antwi

Rev. Joseph Antwi is the District Pastor of the Basel City Churches District. He is passionate about teaching God’s Word, raising young disciples, and empowering believers to live purposefully and impact their generation through Christ.

Out now!

Rev. Joseph Antwi has released his first book called; "How to know if he or she is the right one" in which he dives into seven biblical keys to a succesfull relationship.  

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@revjosephantwi

+41 79 663 63 24

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