Study 2: 1 Samuel 1: 21-28: Trent Evans

This study walks through 1 Samuel 1, highlighting the emotional and spiritual depth of Hannah’s story and what it teaches us about surrender, obedience, and trust in God. Through her anguish and prayer, Hannah models a posture of grace that doesn’t always look victorious on the outside but is deeply rooted in faith. Her vow to dedicate her future son to the Lord reveals a powerful intersection between personal desire and divine purpose—God was not only answering her cry but fulfilling His plan for Israel through Samuel. The study emphasizes that real worship is costly, obedience is often proven outside of public view, and trust in God is tested most when we have to let go. Ultimately, the story points us to God's faithfulness, the integrity of our commitments to Him, and how our lives can lead others to worship. This podcast invites listeners to dig deeper into Scripture with a heart ready to be challenged and changed by the Word.

Sermon Outline

Chapter 1: Introduction & Context

Timestamp: 00:00–02:17

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1; Book overview

Key Points:

• Transition from Judges to Kings

• Samuel's role as prophet, priest, and judge

• Foundation for Israel's future spiritual leadership

Chapter 2: Two Wives, One Painful Reality

Timestamp: 02:17–04:54

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1–6

Key Points:

• Elkanah, Hannah (means grace), and Peninnah (means pearl)

• Peninnah torments Hannah because of her barrenness

• The Bible doesn’t hide painful or messy stories—this gives it credibility

Chapter 3: Pouring Out the Heart in Prayer

Timestamp: 04:54–06:49

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:10–16

Key Points:

• Hannah prays with deep anguish; misjudged by Eli as being drunk

• People may misinterpret your worship, but God sees the heart

• Encouragement: God is not limited by man's perception

Chapter 4: Grace in the Midst of Grief

Timestamp: 06:49–08:54

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:10, 16

Key Points:

• Grace doesn’t always look like joy—sometimes it looks like anguish

• God is at work in painful seasons

• Hannah wants a son, but God is calling a prophet

Chapter 5: The Power of a Vow

Timestamp: 09:15–11:11

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:11, 20

Key Points:

• Hannah vows to dedicate her son to the Lord if He gives her one

• Samuel means "heard by God"

• God honors both the prayer and the vow

• Personal application: God remembers the words we say to Him

Chapter 6: Obedience in Marriage

Timestamp: 13:12–18:29

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:21–23; Numbers 30:10–12

Key Points:

• Elkanah and Hannah pursue God individually and together

• Elkanah supports Hannah’s vow—Old Testament law gave him authority to nullify it, but he didn’t

• Application: personal responsibility in spiritual obedience

Chapter 7: Real Trust, Real Cost

Timestamp: 19:01–27:38

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:24–28

Key Points:

• Hannah prepares to leave Samuel at the tabernacle

• Eli’s sons were corrupt (1 Samuel 2:12)

• Trusting God meant surrendering her child into a flawed system—but ultimately into God's hands

• Real worship is costly

Chapter 8: Private Words, Public Faith

Timestamp: 28:53–32:34

Key Points:

• Elkanah references a private word from God

• Not every word from God is meant to be shared

• Sometimes, obedience looks like quietly walking out what God told you

Chapter 9: A Sacrifice Fulfilled

Timestamp: 34:59–38:07

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:27–28

Key Points:

• Hannah brings Samuel to Eli, saying “I prayed for this child”

• She fulfills her vow with full trust in God's faithfulness

• Elkanah and Hannah’s act leads Eli to worship—obedience can spark worship in others

Chapter 10: A Joyful Surrender & Prophetic Praise

Timestamp: 46:08–49:30

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:1–11

Key Points:

• Hannah’s response is praise, not grief

• She declares God's sovereignty and makes the first recorded prophetic reference to the coming Messiah (1 Samuel 2:10)

• Real obedience is consummated when we walk it out beyond the altar—when we make the long trip home

Scripture References

Word Study