Study 1: 1 Samuel 1-20: Trent Evans

This study in the book of 1 Samuel, focuses not only on the historical transition from the era of judges to the rise of kings, but also on the spiritual transformation that occurs when God's people learn to trust His sovereignty and timing. Through the story of Hannah, we are invited to consider how personal heartache and unanswered prayers can shape us for God’s greater purpose. Her weeping, provocation, and eventual surrender reveal a powerful truth: God's delays are not His denials. As Hannah yields her desires to God’s will, we witness the beauty of transformation—from anguish to peace, from barrenness to life, and from personal longing to prophetic legacy. This study challenges listeners to evaluate how they respond to the struggles of others, and encourages a heart posture that aligns personal desires with God's purpose. Ultimately, the story reminds us that in seasons of silence and waiting, we are still heard by God.

Sermon Outline

Chapter 1: A Heart That Delights in God

📍 [00:00–03:18]

• Personal reflection: If God answered a questionnaire about us, would He say our favorite thing is “spending time with Him”?

• Purpose of The Driven Church: To foster deeper intimacy with God.

• 📖 Psalm 37:4, John 15:5

Chapter 2: Setting the Scene – The End of the Judges

📍 [03:19–06:13]

• Historical context: Transition from the time of the judges to a monarchy.

• The cycle of rebellion, oppression, and deliverance in Israel.

• 📖 Judges 2:16–19, 1 Samuel 1:1

Chapter 3: The Role of Samuel – Judge, Prophet, and Priest

📍 [06:13–09:07]

• Samuel’s unique identity and role in Israel’s history.

• Introduction to key figures: Elkanah, Hannah, Peninnah, Eli.

• God is the true central character of the story.

• 📖 1 Samuel 1:1–3, 1 Chronicles 6:33–34

Chapter 4: Misunderstandings and Misconceptions

📍 [11:39–14:16]

• Reconciling Samuel’s tribal identity: Levite living in Ephraim.

• Importance of biblical literacy and handling apparent contradictions.

• 📖 Judges 17:7, Joshua 21:21–22

Chapter 5: Broken Plans and Cultural Workarounds

📍 [15:16–19:47]

• Elkanah takes a second wife due to Hannah’s barrenness.

• Cultural vs. biblical design for marriage.

• Consequences of moving ahead of God's timing.

• 📖 Genesis 2:24, Genesis 16 (Hagar, Ishmael)

Chapter 6: Provocation and Response

📍 [19:47–26:25]

• Peninnah provokes Hannah year after year.

• Elkanah’s love expressed through a double portion.

• How love and compassion navigate the pain of others.

• 📖 1 Samuel 1:4–6, Romans 12:15

Chapter 7: The Danger of Spiritual Pride

📍 [26:25–28:46]

• When God gives victory to one, it's not for boasting but for blessing.

• Mercy must lead our response to those still struggling.

• 📖 James 4:6, Ephesians 2:8–9

Chapter 8: Pouring Out the Soul

📍 [36:36–41:38]

• Hannah’s silent, fervent prayer and surrender.

• Her desire transforms into God’s purpose: from a son to a prophet.

• 📖 1 Samuel 1:9–11, Romans 12:1–2

Chapter 9: God Hears – Even When Others Don’t

📍 [42:13–46:54]

• Eli misjudges Hannah, thinking she’s drunk.

• God's reception vs. man’s perception.

• Encouragement for unseen acts of obedience.

• 📖 1 Samuel 1:12–18, Galatians 1:10

Chapter 10: Peace Before the Promise

📍 [48:10–56:51]

• Hannah’s countenance is lifted before her prayer is answered.

• She receives peace and later conceives Samuel.

• Samuel = “Heard by God”

• 📖 1 Samuel 1:19–20, Philippians 4:6–7

Scripture References

📖 1. 1 Samuel 1:1–2

📍 03:19–04:20Introduces the setting and main characters: Elkanah, Hannah, Peninnah. Marks the beginning of the transition from judges to kings in Israel.Used to: Set the foundation for the study and introduce the theological shift in Israel’s leadership.

📖 Judges 2:16–19

📍 04:20–06:13Describes the cycle of rebellion and restoration during the time of the judges.Used to: Show the spiritual pattern Israel was trapped in before 1 Samuel—disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.

📖 1 Samuel 1:3

📍 06:13–07:00Mentions Elkanah's worship and the presence of Eli as priest and judge.Used to: Emphasize the continuity of religious worship and leadership as Samuel’s story begins.

📖 1 Chronicles 6:33–34

📍 11:39–12:28Genealogy showing that Elkanah and Samuel are Levites.Used to: Clarify confusion between Samuel being called an Ephraimite and being a Levite—important for his role as a priest.

📖 Judges 17:7

📍 12:28–13:23Mentions a Levite living in Judah to explain tribal residence vs. tribal heritage.Used to: Illustrate how Levites resided among other tribes without contradicting their lineage.

📖 Joshua 21:21–22

📍 13:23–14:16Details the cities given to the Levites, including Shechem in Ephraim.Used to: Support the claim that Samuel’s family, though living in Ephraim, were Levites.

📖 Genesis 2:24

📍 15:16–16:11God’s design for marriage: one man and one woman becoming one flesh.Used to: Highlight the brokenness of Elkanah taking a second wife, which was a cultural but not biblical solution to barrenness.

📖 Genesis 16 (Implied)

📍 18:04–19:04Abraham and Sarah’s choice to bring Hagar into their marriage for a child.Used to: Draw a parallel between Elkanah’s story and Abraham’s, showing the consequences of stepping ahead of God’s timing.

📖 1 Samuel 1:4–6

📍 19:47–25:54Describes Elkanah’s double portion to Hannah and Peninnah’s provocation.Used to: Explore how love and grace can be shown in response to heartache, contrasted with envy and pride.

📖 Romans 12:15 (Implied)

📍 25:54–27:20"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."Used to: Emphasize how we should respond to the struggles of others with compassion, not provocation.

📖 Ephesians 2:8–10 (Implied reference in context of grace and action)

📍 27:20–28:46We are saved by grace, not our works.Used to: Challenge pride that can result from God’s instantaneous deliverance—highlighting grace over self-righteousness.

📖 1 Samuel 1:9–11

📍 36:36–41:38Hannah’s prayer and vow to dedicate her son if God grants her one.Used to: Show the moment Hannah’s desire aligns with God’s purpose—when transformation begins.

📖 Romans 12:1–2 (Implied)

📍 40:43–41:38Presenting oneself as a living sacrifice.Used to: Reflect Hannah’s willingness to dedicate her son as an act of surrender and trust.

📖 1 Samuel 1:12–18

📍 42:13–46:54Hannah’s silent prayer is misunderstood by Eli, but God hears her.Used to: Demonstrate that God hears silent, anguished prayers even when others misjudge the posture of our worship.

📖 Galatians 1:10 (Implied)

📍 44:05–45:58Seeking approval from God rather than people.Used to: Encourage perseverance in unseen service, despite human judgment or misunderstanding.

📖 Philippians 4:6–7 (Implied in the peace Hannah receives)

📍 48:10–50:43Peace that surpasses understanding.Used to: Emphasize that Hannah left her encounter with God with peace—even before her prayer was visibly answered.

📖 1 Samuel 1:19–20

📍 52:08–56:51Hannah conceives Samuel; his name means “Heard by God.”Used to: Affirm that God heard and remembered Hannah. A fulfillment of her faith-filled prayer.

📖 Psalm 37:4 (Implied in opening and closing thoughts)

📍 00:00 and 01:00:49–end“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”Used to: Tie together the idea that our desires should be shaped by God’s will.

Word Study

שָׁמוּאֵל (Shĕmûʾēl / Samuel)

Hebrew Root: שָׁמַע (shama) – “to hear”

Meaning: “Heard by God”

📖 Reference: 1 Samuel 1:20⏱

Timestamp: [56:51]

In Context:Hannah named her son Samuel to commemorate that the Lord had heard her prayers. While she says “because I asked the Lord for him,” the Hebrew emphasizes God’s action—that He heard her. The sermon highlights that every time she called his name, she was affirming that she had been heard by God.

Application:This name reminds us that our cries and prayers, even in anguish or silence, reach God. We can take comfort in knowing we are not ignored or overlooked.

2. תְּפִלָּה (Tĕphillah / Prayer)

Hebrew Root: פָּלַל (palal) – “to intervene, intercede, or judge”

Meaning: A heartfelt petition or prayer

📖 Reference: 1 Samuel 1:10, 1:12⏱

Timestamps: [38:17], [42:13]

In Context:Hannah’s deep anguish leads her to pray (tĕphillah) silently but fervently in the temple. Her prayer is misunderstood by Eli, yet it is received by God. The sermon uses this to contrast human perception versus divine reception, showing that true prayer comes from the heart, not just the mouth.

Application:This word calls us to authentic, heartfelt prayer—whether voiced or silent. God sees the soul poured out, not just the lips moving.

3. חֵן (Chen / Favor or Grace)

Hebrew Root: חָנַן (chanan) – “to be gracious, to show favor”

Meaning: Grace, favor, acceptance

📖 Reference: 1 Samuel 1:18 – “May your servant find favor in your eyes.”⏱ Timestamp: [48:16]

In Context:After Hannah’s prayer, Eli tells her to go in peace and asks that the Lord grant her request. Hannah replies with a phrase that includes chen—asking for favor, not just from Eli, but implicitly from God. Her posture shifts from despair to peace.

Application:Chen reflects God's unmerited kindness. Even when the answer is delayed or unknown, we live in His favor when we entrust our desires to Him.

1. Hupsos (ὕψος) – "High Position"

Scripture Reference: James 1:9 – “Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.”

• Definition: Hupsos refers to elevation, height, or exaltation. In this context, it symbolizes a spiritual elevation that comes from being in Christ, regardless of earthly circumstances.

• Sermon Context: The sermon contrasts the "high position" of believers with their humble circumstances, emphasizing that their identity and value are rooted in their relationship with Christ, not in worldly wealth or status.

• Application: Believers are called to rejoice in their spiritual status in Christ, which is unshaken by external trials or material losses.

2. Tapinosis (ταπείνωσις) – "Humiliation" or "Low Condition"

Scripture Reference: James 1:10 – “But the rich should take pride in their humiliation…”

• Definition: Tapinosis refers to being brought low, humility, or a state of abasement. In the sermon, it is tied to the temporary and fleeting nature of worldly riches.

• Sermon Context: The rich are reminded to find humility in the reality that material wealth fades, and only a relationship with Christ offers eternal significance.

• Application: This word underscores the importance of spiritual humility, urging believers to shift their focus from temporary wealth to eternal treasures in Christ.

3. Peirasmos (πειρασμός) – "Trial" or "Temptation"

Scripture Reference: James 1:2-3, 1:13 – “Consider it pure joy... when you face trials...” / “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’”

• Definition: Peirasmos can mean either a trial (testing of faith) or a temptation (enticement to sin), depending on the context.

• Sermon Context: The sermon differentiates between trials, which God allows to refine and strengthen faith, and temptations, which arise from personal desires and lead to sin.

• Application: Believers are encouraged to endure trials with joy and to resist temptation by seeking wisdom and strength from God.