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My Heart Rejoiceth in the Lord

Ruth 1–4, 1 Samuel 1–7

June 1, 2026, to June 7, 2026

The scriptures on Ruth and Hannah are narratives of righteous women and also tell of God’s care for the poor and disenfranchised. For example, Mosaic law instructed gleaners to leave some grain in the field so the poor could gather it. Boaz acts as a representative of God and redeemer of Naomi and Ruth. The text describing Samuel’s birth and prophetic call is a carefully crafted narrative that foretells his important ministry.

Ruth 1

Ruth 2

Ruth 3

Ruth 4

1 Samuel 1

“The Lord . . . Bringeth Low, and Lifteth Up”: Hannah, Eli, and the Temple

Julie M. Smith

Ascending the Mountain of the Lord: Temple, Praise, and Worship in the Old Testament, Sidney B. Sperry Symposium 49 (2013)

Just as Hannah brought her sorrows to the temple in 1 Samuel chapter 1, she brings her joy to the temple in chapter 2. In fact, we can read the entirety of Hannah’s story as a chiastically structured commentary on temple vows: (A) Hannah takes her sorrow to the temple (1:10), (B) Hannah makes a covenant (1:11), (C) Hannah defuses a potentially contentious interaction with a high-status man (1:12–16), (D) Hannah’s desire is granted (1:17–20), (C') Hannah defuses a potentially contentious interaction with a high-status man (1:27–28), (B') Hannah keeps her covenant (1:27–28), (A') Hannah takes her joy to the temple (2:1–10). Note: the centerpiece for this structure is the Lord granting Hannah’s desire for a child. The fulfillment of this desire is literally and metaphorically surrounded by the making (1:11) and keeping (1:27–28) of covenants.

Eli and His Sons: Some Lessons for Parents

Frank F. Judd Jr.

Religious Educator 2, no. 2 (2001)

The sons of Eli earned their bad reputation. They disobeyed the sacrificial rituals and were guilty of sexual immorality. Eli instructed his sons that they did not merely “sin against another” person but rather they did “sin against the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:25). Eli was guilty of neglecting his parental duties toward his sons because “he restrained them not” (1 Samuel 3:13). We should not assume that parents are culpable for the poor conduct of their children. Many righteous parents earnestly strive to teach their children from their youth the principles of the gospel, yet their children still go astray. At the same time, however, we must not downplay the crucial responsibility of parents to instruct their children.

1 Samuel 2

“The Lord . . . Bringeth Low, and Lifteth Up”: Hannah, Eli, and the Temple

Julie M. Smith

Ascending the Mountain of the Lord: Temple, Praise, and Worship in the Old Testament, Sidney B. Sperry Symposium 49 (2013)

Just as Hannah brought her sorrows to the temple in 1 Samuel chapter 1, she brings her joy to the temple in chapter 2. In fact, we can read the entirety of Hannah’s story as a chiastically structured commentary on temple vows: (A) Hannah takes her sorrow to the temple (1:10), (B) Hannah makes a covenant (1:11), (C) Hannah defuses a potentially contentious interaction with a high-status man (1:12–16), (D) Hannah’s desire is granted (1:17–20), (C') Hannah defuses a potentially contentious interaction with a high-status man (1:27–28), (B') Hannah keeps her covenant (1:27–28), (A') Hannah takes her joy to the temple (2:1–10). Note: the centerpiece for this structure is the Lord granting Hannah’s desire for a child. The fulfillment of this desire is literally and metaphorically surrounded by the making (1:11) and keeping (1:27–28) of covenants.

Eli and His Sons: Some Lessons for Parents

Frank F. Judd Jr.

Religious Educator 2, no. 2 (2001)

The sons of Eli earned their bad reputation. They disobeyed the sacrificial rituals and were guilty of sexual immorality. Eli instructed his sons that they did not merely “sin against another” person but rather they did “sin against the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:25). Eli was guilty of neglecting his parental duties toward his sons because “he restrained them not” (1 Samuel 3:13). We should not assume that parents are culpable for the poor conduct of their children. Many righteous parents earnestly strive to teach their children from their youth the principles of the gospel, yet their children still go astray. At the same time, however, we must not downplay the crucial responsibility of parents to instruct their children.

1 Samuel 3

1 Samuel 4

Eli and His Sons: Some Lessons for Parents

Frank F. Judd Jr.

Religious Educator 2, no. 2 (2001)

The sons of Eli earned their bad reputation. They disobeyed the sacrificial rituals and were guilty of sexual immorality. Eli instructed his sons that they did not merely “sin against another” person but rather they did “sin against the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:25). Eli was guilty of neglecting his parental duties toward his sons because “he restrained them not” (1 Samuel 3:13). We should not assume that parents are culpable for the poor conduct of their children. Many righteous parents earnestly strive to teach their children from their youth the principles of the gospel, yet their children still go astray. At the same time, however, we must not downplay the crucial responsibility of parents to instruct their children.

Ruth

1 Samuel

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