Mesa Valley Church of Christ Grand Junction, Colorado
Illustration for Hannah Prays and Samuel Listens

Old Testament people Ages 4–9 Story 9 of 25

1 Samuel 1–3 · ESV memory verse below

Hannah Prays and Samuel Listens

Who is this?

Hannah longed for a child. Samuel was the son she asked the LORD for—and then gave back to Him to serve.

What happened?

Hannah prayed; God heard. Samuel grew up at the tabernacle and learned to listen when the LORD called.

The story

Hannah was sad because she had no child. She poured out her heart to the LORD and asked for a son. She promised to give him to the LORD all his days.

God heard Hannah. She named the boy Samuel and, when he was weaned, brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. She said she had given him to the LORD.

One night the LORD called, “Samuel!” He ran to Eli again and again. He did not yet know the LORD’s voice.

Eli said, “If He calls, say, Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.” Samuel said those words. He grew, and the LORD was with him.

Memory verse (ESV)

And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

1 Samuel 3:10

Talk about it

Ages ~4–7

  1. What did Hannah ask God for?
  2. What did Samuel say when God called?

Ages ~8–12

  1. How did Hannah keep her vow after God answered?
  2. Why did Samuel keep running to Eli at first?
  3. What does “Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears” mean when we open the Bible?

Family activity

Practice listening: whisper a Bible sentence; children repeat it. God still speaks through His word.

Parent take-home

Read 1 Samuel 1–3. Linger on Hannah’s prayer and vow before you reach the night call. Practice 1 Samuel 3:10 as a prayer after you read Scripture together.

Talk on the way home

  1. What did Hannah ask, and how did she keep her promise?
  2. What words did Samuel learn to say to the LORD?
  3. When we open the Bible, how can we have a hearing heart?

Longer family guide: Week 9 on the family page.

Print coloring and activities (PDF) All children’s stories

In the PDF: coloring page, memory verse with blanks, plus kid activities (circle). Circle only one answer. Talk about why the others are wrong.

For parents and teachers

Children can serve and listen. The lesson is not a secret voice in the night for every child, but a heart that answers God’s word. Practice 1 Samuel 3:10 as a prayer after you read Scripture together.