Daily Bible Reading — Sustained by God’s Word of Promiseናሙና

July 2

Introduction

Hannah gives birth to a son and names him Samuel which, in Hebrew, means “name of God” and in today’s reading is related to the Hebrew verb for “ask.” After Samuel has been weaned, Hannah brings him to Shiloh to be dedicated to the LORD, in fulfillment of the promise she had made.

Today’s Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:28 (GNT)

[Hannah said:] “I am dedicating him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he will belong to the LORD.”

Today’s Reading 

1 Samuel 1:19-28

Reflect

As a sign of dedication to the LORD, Hannah promised that her son’s hair would never be cut (1:11). This was in keeping with a vow to being dedicated as a nazirite, a word in Hebrew that means “to separate.” Nazirites were people who dedicated themselves to being ritually clean and serving God (See Numbers 6:1-8). You may recall the story of Samson in Judges 16, from the reading on May 25, who confessed to Delilah that his hair had never been cut because he had been dedicated to God as a nazirite.) Imagine yourself in Hannah’s place. What thoughts might she have had when relinquishing her long-awaited child to serve God? 

Pray

Faithful and loving God, I dedicate myself to worshiping and praising you for all your blessings to me. Order my steps this day so that all I do and say is pleasing in Your sight. In Your Holy Name, I pray. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Newborn babies

Tomorrow’s Reading

1 Samuel 2:1-11: Hannah offers a prayer of thanksgiving.