ESOCS Devotional 26 June 2026 – The Priestly Blessing
MEMORY VERSE: “Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.” 1 Samuel 16:15 KJV
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 1:1-20
Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. 4 And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.
8 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
9 So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the [c]tabernacle of the Lord. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 11 Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”
12 And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. 13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!”
15 But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.”
17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”
18 And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
19 Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the Lord.”
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There are certain issues that can only be resolved at the instance of priestly prayers. Some breakthroughs are gotten at the verge of the priestly blessings. No doubt, one may have engaged in personal prayers, fasting, sacrifices, services etc. but what is left to unlock the doors is a prophetic word from the priest, spiritual father, or commissioned servants of God. Jesus directed the leprous men to show themselves to the Priest and by the singular action, they were cleansed (Luke17:14).
Therefore, the importance of a Priest in enforcing God’s blessings, healing, and deliverance cannot be overemphasized. This is the import of our text today.
Hannah had secretly offered her prayers, groaning, and made a vow to God. But the arrival of Eli the Priest and his prayers graced and put a seal of confirmation upon the request Hannah’s request to God. Notice that immediately after the prophetic declaration by the Priest her spirit was liftted and her countenance was no more sad (1Sam. 1:18).
This therefore is a call on all ministers, Priests, Clergy men and Elders to be conscious of their God given assignment. Numbers 6:22-26 says, “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto the: The Lord lift his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” . We must be committed at all times praying and blessing the children and congregation God has given to us. It is not expected of us to for any reason to curse or pray against those God has brought our way. As Priests, we must realize our place in enforcing God’s blessings upon the people.
Furthermore, the attitude of Hannah towards the Priest cannot be overlooked. Even when in assumption the Priest spoke wrongly of her, yet it never demeaned her value for the Priest. Hear this, it is your sense of value that determines the flow of virtue. She never responded wrongly to the Priest. This addresses the bad attitude many members display towards the servants of God and elders. It is unfortunate that many persons do not understand that God has positioned those Priests to put a seal on their request and prayers.
Reflections
- Never lose value or respect for the Priest no matter the circumstance. Have faith in God and in the prayers of the Priest. Release goodwill and service to the Priests.
Prayer
- Father, thank you for giving us Priests for our blessing. Forgive our days of ignorance and grant us the grace to have value and respects for your servants, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 11:1-12; Isaiah 52:1-12; Ephesians 4:1-16; Revelation 10:1-End
ESOCS Devotional 26 June 2026
