May 9 (1 Samuel 1–2; Psalm 118; 1 Corinthians 12–13)

Summary

---

Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: May 9 (1 Samuel 1–2; Psalm 118; 1 Corinthians 12–13)
Date: May 9, 2026
Host: Crossway

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, listeners journey through selected readings from the Old Testament (1 Samuel 1–2), the Psalms (Psalm 118), and the New Testament (1 Corinthians 12–13). The episode explores themes of fervent prayer, God’s faithfulness, the dangers of spiritual hypocrisy, enduring love, and the unity of the Body of Christ. As with each daily episode, this is a straight reading of Scripture, offering the depth and beauty of the biblical text in its own voice.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Birth and Dedication of Samuel

(1 Samuel 1:1–2:36 | 00:01–09:34)

• Hannah’s Distress and Prayer

  • Hannah, beloved but childless, is relentlessly provoked by Peninnah (00:43–00:58).
  • In her anguish, Hannah prays for a child, vowing to dedicate him to the Lord (01:01–01:41).
  • Priest Eli initially mistakes her silent prayer for drunkenness but, upon learning the truth, blesses Hannah (01:45–02:21).
  • Quote:
    • “I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord...I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” — Hannah (01:52)
    • “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” — Eli (02:11)

• The Birth of Samuel and Fulfillment of the Vow

  • Hannah conceives, names her son Samuel (“I have asked for him from the Lord”), and fulfills her vow by bringing him to serve at the temple (02:31–03:44).
  • Hannah’s act of returning Samuel is highlighted as an extraordinary sacrifice and faithfulness to her vow.

• Hannah’s Prayer of Praise

  • A theologically rich prayer exalting God’s sovereignty, strength, and justice unfolds (“There is none holy like the Lord...There is no rock like our God.”) (04:14–05:18).
  • Themes:
    • God reverses fortunes—He exalts the humble and brings down the proud.
    • “The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.” (04:41)
    • “For not by might shall a man prevail.” (05:07)

• Corruption of Eli’s Sons Versus Samuel’s Faithfulness

  • Contrasts are drawn between Samuel’s innocence and the corruption of Hophni and Phinehas, Eli’s sons who abuse their priestly role (05:56–07:30).
  • Quote:
    • “Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord.” (05:19)
    • “If someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?” — Eli (07:20)
  • A prophecy of judgment is pronounced on Eli’s house for dishonoring God’s sacrifices and elevating his sons above the Lord (07:30–09:34).
    • “For those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” — The Lord (08:22)

2. Praise and Thanksgiving

(Psalm 118 | 09:34–11:43)

• The Enduring Steadfast Love of the Lord
  • A call for Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the Lord to affirm that “his steadfast love endures forever.” (09:34–09:48)
  • The psalmist testifies to God’s deliverance in distress and the security found in trusting the Lord over human agency (09:53–10:12).
    • Quote:
      • “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” (10:05)
      • “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (11:12)
  • Messianic reference:
    • “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (11:01)
  • God’s help inspires praise, gratitude, and a recognition of ongoing divine favor.

3. Spiritual Gifts, Unity, and Love

(1 Corinthians 12–13 | 11:43–End)

• Variety and Unity in Spiritual Gifts

  • The Corinthians are taught about spiritual gifts, their diversity, and their common origin in the Holy Spirit (11:47–12:34).
    • “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit...to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (12:02–12:14)
  • The metaphor of the church as “one body with many members” underscores the value and purpose of each believer’s role (12:34–13:41).
    • “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” (13:22)
    • The passage stresses interdependence and mutual care, minimizing spiritual elitism.

• The Preeminence of Love

  • Paul proclaims love as the ultimate excellence, surpassing even faith and hope in importance (13:43–End).
    • “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” (13:44)
    • The famous “Love is patient, love is kind...” passage (13:53–14:10).
    • “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away...knowledge, it will pass away.” (14:20)
    • The progression from childishness to maturity in spiritual understanding, culminating in the eternal value of love:
      • “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (14:45)

---

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” — Eli, to Hannah (02:11)
• “For not by might shall a man prevail.” — Hannah’s prayer (05:07)
• “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” — Psalmist (10:05)
• “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” — Psalmist (11:01)
• “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit...To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” — Paul (12:02–12:14)
• “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” — Paul (13:44)
• “Love is patient and kind...Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” — Paul (13:53–14:10)
• “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” — Paul (14:45)

---

Important Timestamps

• 00:01: Opening; story of Hannah, her prayer, and Samuel’s birth
• 01:45: Hannah’s silent prayer and Eli’s misunderstanding
• 03:44: Hannah dedicates Samuel to the Lord
• 04:14: Hannah’s prayer of praise
• 05:19: Samuel’s ministry and the corruption of Eli’s sons
• 07:30: Prophecy of judgment on Eli’s household
• 09:34: Psalm 118—affirmation of God’s enduring love and victory
• 11:43: 1 Corinthians 12–13—spiritual gifts and the supremacy of love
• 13:44: The “love chapter” (1 Corinthians 13)
• 14:45: “The greatest of these is love” and conclusion

---

Final Thoughts

This episode leads listeners through profound scenes of longing, answered prayer, dedicated worship, communal faith, and the call to self-giving love. It invites reflection on God’s sovereignty, the power of united, Spirit-empowered service in the church, and the centrality of love as the Christian’s highest calling.

---

Transcript

[Reader 1]

A reading from First Samuel. There was a certain man of Ramathaim, Zophim of the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroam, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, a Naphrathite. He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts. At Shiloh were the two sons of Eli. Hophni and Phinehas were priests of the Lord. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah, his wife,

[Reader 2]

and to all her sons and daughters.

[Reader 1]

But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to

[Reader 2]

the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her.

[Reader 1]

Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than 10 sons? After they had eaten and drunken Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest, was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, o Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days

[Reader 2]

of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.

[Reader 1]

As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart. Only her lips moved and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, how long were you gone being drunk? Put your wine away from you. But Hannah answered, no, my lord. I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation. Then Eli answered, go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him. And she said, let your servant find favor in your eyes. Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord. Then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah, his wife, and the Lord remembered her. And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. And she called his name Samuel. For she said, I have asked for him from the Lord. The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. But Hannah did not go up. For she said to her husband, as soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever. Elkanah, her husband, said to her, do what seems best to you. Wait until you have weaned him. Only may the Lord establish his word. So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three year old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine. And she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull and they brought the child to Eli. And she said, o my Lord. As you live, my Lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence praying to the Lord for this child. I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord. And he worshiped the Lord there. And Hannah prayed and said, my heart exults in the Lord. My horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.

[Reader 2]

There is none holy like the Lord,

[Reader 1]

for there is none besides you. There is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly. Let not arrogance come from your mouth. For the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

[Reader 2]

The bowls of the mighty are broken,

[Reader 1]

but the fee will bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread. But those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The Lord kills and brings to life. He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich. He brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust. He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are The Lord's and on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful ones. But the wicked shall be cut off in darkness. For not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces. Against them he will thunder in heaven.

[Reader 2]

The Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

[Reader 1]

He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed. Then Elkanah went home to Ramah. And the boy was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli the priest. Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord. The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come while the meat was boiling with a three pronged fork in his hand, and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle, or cauldron, or pot. All that the fork brought up, the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh

[Reader 2]

to all the Israelites who came there.

[Reader 1]

Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw in and if the man said to him, let them burn the fat first and then take as much as you wish, he would say, no, you must give it now, and

[Reader 2]

if not, I will take it by force.

[Reader 1]

Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord, for the men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt. Samuel was ministering before the Lord a boy clothed with a linen ephod. And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, may the Lord give you children by this woman for the petition she asks for the Lord. So then they would return to their home. Indeed, the Lord visited Hannah. And she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord. Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were

[Reader 2]

doing to all Israel and how they

[Reader 1]

lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons, it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him. But if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him? But they would not listen to the

[Reader 2]

voice of their father, for it was

[Reader 1]

the will of the Lord to put them to death. Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man. And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, thus says the Lord, Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father? When they were in Egypt, subject to the house of Pharaoh, Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling and honor your sons above

[Reader 2]

me by fattening yourselves on the choicest

[Reader 1]

parts of every offering of my people Israel? Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares, I promise that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever. But now the Lord declares, far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor. And those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house so that there will not be an old man in your house. Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel. And there shall not be an old man in your house forever. The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out, to grieve his heart. And all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men. And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you. Both of them shall die on the same day. And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever. And everyone who is left in your house shall come to implore him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread, and shall say, please put me in one of the priests places that I may eat a morsel of bread. A reading from the Book of Psalms.

[Reader 2]

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Let Israel say his steadfast love endures forever.

[Reader 1]

Let the house of Aaron say his

[Reader 2]

steadfast love endures forever. Let those who fear the Lord say

[Reader 1]

his steadfast love endures forever. Out of my distress I called on the Lord.

[Reader 2]

The Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side. I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side. As my helper. I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

[Reader 1]

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. All nations surrounded me.

[Reader 2]

In the name of the Lord, I cut them off. They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side. In the name of the Lord, I cut them off. They surrounded me like bees. They went out like a fire among thorns. In the name of the Lord, I cut them off. I was pushed hard so that I was falling. But the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation. Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous. The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. The right hand of the Lord exalts the the right hand of the Lord does valiantly. I shall not die, but I shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord. The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.

[Reader 1]

Open to me the gates of righteousness

[Reader 2]

that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord. The righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing. It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we pray.

[Reader 1]

O Lord.

[Reader 2]

O Lord, we pray. Give us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you. You are my God. I will extol you. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

[Reader 1]

A reading from the book of 1 Corinthians.

[Reader 2]

Now, concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols. However you were led. Therefore, I want you to understand that no one speaking in the spirit of God ever says Jesus is accursed. And no one can say Jesus is Lord except in the Holy Spirit. Now, there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of service, but the same Lord. And there are varieties of activities. But it is the same God who empowers them all. And everyone to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, according to another faith, by the same Spirit, to another, gifts

[Reader 1]

of healing by the one Spirit to

[Reader 2]

another, the working of miracles to another prophecy to another, the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another, various kinds of tongues, to another, the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Jews or Greeks, slaves are free, and all were made to drink of one spirit. For the body does not consist of one member, but of many. If the foot should say, because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them as he chose. If all were a single member, where

[Reader 1]

would the body be?

[Reader 2]

As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you. Nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable. And on those parts of the body that we think less honorable, we bestow the greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together. If one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret but earnestly desire the higher gifts? And I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver of my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast. It is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away. As for tongues, they will cease. As for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, Then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide these three. But the greatest of these is love.