Hannah
Category: Perseverance in prayer & surrender to God
Could avoid: Give up praying under barrenness and provocation.
“Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.” (1 Samuel 1:6)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 30:1–2; Luke 1:7.
Chose: Poured out her soul before the LORD.
“In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly.” (1 Samuel 1:10)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 4:6; Psalm 62:8.
Endured: Misunderstanding, grief, waiting.
“Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, ‘How long are you going to stay drunk?’” (1 Samuel 1:13–14)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 34:18; James 5:11.
Why: Trusted God’s power to give life.
“LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery… then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life.” (1 Samuel 1:11)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 18:14; Matthew 7:7.
Result: God gave her Samuel, and she dedicated him to His service.
“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.” (1 Samuel 1:27)
Cross-Refs: Luke 1:13; Psalm 113:9.
Samuel
Category: Obedience in calling & prophetic courage
Could avoid: Remain silent about God’s hard message against Eli’s house.
“Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision.” (1 Samuel 3:15)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 1:6–7; Ezekiel 2:6–7.
Chose: Spoke God’s word faithfully.
“So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him.” (1 Samuel 3:18)
Cross-Refs: Acts 20:27; Amos 3:7.
Endured: Heavy prophetic burden, rejection by the people, confrontation with Saul.
“And the LORD told him: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.’” (1 Samuel 8:7)
Cross-Refs: John 15:20; Hebrews 11:32.
Why: Served God faithfully as judge, prophet, and intercessor.
“Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 18:18; Acts 3:24.
Result: Established as God’s prophet; guided Israel through transition.
“The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.” (1 Samuel 3:19)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 1:12; Acts 13:20.
Jonathan
Category: Loyal friendship & faith in God’s power
Could avoid: Pursue his father Saul’s throne.
“Saul’s son Jonathan… gave his robe, tunic, sword, bow and belt to David.” (1 Samuel 18:4)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 2:3–4; John 3:30.
Chose: Loved and supported David as God’s chosen.
“Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.” (1 Samuel 18:3)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 17:17; John 15:13.
Endured: Danger in battle, conflict with his father, loss of kingship.
“Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him.” (1 Samuel 20:33)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 29:25; Matthew 10:36.
Why: Trusted that God’s will and kingdom plan were greater.
“You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you.” (1 Samuel 23:17)
Cross-Refs: Daniel 4:34–35; Romans 8:28.
Result: His legacy lived on through David’s kindness to Mephibosheth.
“Don’t be afraid… I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan.” (2 Samuel 9:7)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 10:7; Hebrews 6:10.
David (Before Kingship)
Category: Patience & restraint under persecution
Could avoid: Kill Saul and seize the throne.
“Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.” (1 Samuel 24:4)
Cross-Refs: Romans 12:19; Proverbs 20:22.
Chose: Spared Saul’s life, waiting for God’s timing.
“The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed.” (1 Samuel 24:6)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 57:1; Matthew 5:44.
Endured: Exile, betrayal, living as a fugitive.
“David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph.” (1 Samuel 23:14)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 142:1–3; Hebrews 11:38.
Why: Trusted God’s justice and promise of kingship.
“As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me.” (1 Samuel 26:24)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 37:7; 1 Peter 2:23.
Result: Preserved by God, later crowned king in God’s timing.
“All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said… ‘The LORD your God said to you, “You will shepherd my people Israel.”’” (1 Chronicles 11:1–2)
Cross-Refs: 2 Samuel 5:3; Acts 13:22.
Men of Jabesh-Gilead
Category: Loyalty & courage in honouring the fallen
Could avoid: Leave Saul’s body desecrated by Philistines.
“The Philistines fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan.” (1 Samuel 31:10)
Cross-Refs: 2 Samuel 1:20; Psalm 79:2–3.
Chose: Recovered Saul’s body and gave him burial.
“All their valiant men marched through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons… and buried them.” (1 Samuel 31:12–13)
Cross-Refs: 2 Samuel 2:4–6; Luke 23:50–53.
Endured: Risk of enemy retaliation, hardship of the night journey.
“All their valiant men… marched through the night.” (1 Samuel 31:12)
Cross-Refs: Nehemiah 4:23; Hebrews 11:34.
Why: Showed honour and covenant loyalty.
“May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness.” (2 Samuel 2:6)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 19:22; Matthew 5:7.
Result: Gained David’s blessing for their act of faithfulness.
“David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead… ‘May the LORD bless you for showing this kindness.’” (2 Samuel 2:5)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 25:34–36; Hebrews 6:10.