Hannah Cared for Baby Samuel

1 Samuel 1:1-23

Our story comes from the Bible. It is found in the book, or part, of the Bible called 1 Samuel (we say "First Samuel"). It is the first of two books in the Bible named after Samuel.

The Bible tells us that there once lived a woman named Hannah. She was married to a man named Elkanah (“el-KAY-nuh”). Hannah and Elkanah loved each other very much. But most of all, they loved God.

God had made Hannah and Elkanah's family very special. But Hannah wanted their family to grow. She was sad that she and Elkanah didn't have any children.

One day, Hannah and Elkanah left their home in Ramah. They traveled to Shiloh, to a special tent-church called the Tabernacle. Hannah and Elkanah went there to worship God.

While Hannah was at the tent-church, she asked God for something special. Hannah prayed for a baby boy. She cried while she was praying because she was so sad. She promised God that if He gave her a baby boy, she would have the boy serve God.

Eli, the priest at the tent-church, saw Hannah praying and crying. He saw that while she was praying, not a sound came out of her mouth. He talked to Hannah about what was wrong.

Hannah said, "I've been praying here because I am very sad."

Eli told her, "Go in peace. God will give you what you have prayed for."

Early the next day Hannah and Elkanah worshiped God and then walked home to Ramah. Hannah didn't feel quite so sad anymore.

Soon, God answered Hannah's prayers. Hannah and Elkanah had a baby boy. Hannah named the boy Samuel because God answered her prayers. The name Samuel means “name of God.” God had given Hannah and Elkanah baby Samuel for their family.

Hannah and Elkanah liked to take care of little Samuel. They gave him food to eat. They gave him milk to drink. They dressed him every day and kept him safe. And they loved Samuel.

Hannah and Elkanah were happy that God had given them little Samuel. They thanked God for Samuel and took very good care of him. They were glad that God had given them a family. God gives us families too.

Bible Paraphrase: Love one another. (“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34 NIV)

Text Truth: God gives us families.

Family Devotional

In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” —  Samuel 1:10-11

Like Hannah, you may have "wept in anguish" for someone or a situation. It may have been a plea to have or adopt a child, a healing for a sick child, or revival in the heart of a child who has strayed from the Lord. Whatever your plea, God heard you. 

Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always.” — 1 Samuel 1:22

God gives us our children, our families, to care for and nurture. We should daily give them to the Lord.


Pray for strong families that lead our children to a great love for their God, and that one day they may appear before the Lord and remain there forever.

Activities You Can Do at Home

Bible Rhyme

The Bible paraphrase is in the last line of the rhyme. Teach the words and actions a line at a time. Have your child repeat each line back to you.

God made me.

(Point to self.)

God made you.

(Point to someone else.)

God made my family, too!

(Hug self.)

God loves me.

(Point to self.)

God loves you.

(Point to someone.)

He said, "Love one another," too.

(Open arms wide.)

Make a Family Tree

You'll Need: butcher paper, washable paint, pencils or washable markers, paper plates

Make a family tree using your handprints, paint, and butcher paper. Draw a trunk and a few main branches to start. Then, have each person in your family pick a color of paint, spread a little on a paper plate to "ink" their hands, and make handprints as leaves on the tree. When the paint dries, add a picture and name to each handprint.               

Animal Families

You'll Need: books about families

Gather pictures of animal families and Cut them apart. Mix up the pieces. Have your child collect animals to put the families back together. God gave animals families, too. Talk about ways animal families are similar or different from the families your child knows.

Books about Families

You'll Need: Books about families

Read books about families with your child. Talk about the different people in the families shown in the books. Mention the people in your family that God gave you.

Acts Out the Bible Story

You'll Need: baby doll

As you read the story of Samuel's parents caring for him, let your child mimic the actions with a baby doll (pretend to feed, dress, and hug the baby).

Pray and Give Thanks for Family

Thank God for your child when you pray. Have your child thank God for mommy and daddy and other family members. Thank Him also for the family events of the day.

-
The illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported license. www.freebibleimages.org

-