They say you should be careful what you wish for, because it might come true. That aphorism pales in comparison to this one: be careful what you pray for! The first seven chapters of 1 Samuel tell the story of Hannah’s answered prayer. Ronald Wallace is a faithful guide.

This is the sort of book you get when a godly person has spent some time dwelling on the story and its implications. In fact, this book was birthed out of a series of weekly prayer meetings where Wallace expounded Hannah’s story.

The value of this volume lies in Wallace’s ability to make you think of all aspects of the narrative. We tend to grab one point in a story and make it our own—Wallace writes in panoramic style. This is an ideal book for any lay person who wants a companion to read along with 1 Samuel. ( )