Week 23 (June 1–7): “My Heart Rejoiceth in the Lord” (Ruth 1; 1 Samuel 1–7)

Week Overview

Life often includes “delays and detours that take us in unexpected directions.” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “June 1–7. ‘My Heart Rejoiceth in the Lord’”) Ruth and Hannah faced losses and longings that did not match their plans, yet their stories show how turning to the Lord can lead to guidance, protection, and eventual blessing.

Key Scripture Moments

1) Ruth chooses covenant belonging over the familiar

Ruth’s decision point comes when she can return to what she knows or join Naomi’s people and faith. The lesson frames it this way: “Ruth was not an Israelite, but she married one, and when her husband died, she had a choice to make. Would she return to her family and her old, familiar life, or would she embrace the Israelite faith and a new home with her mother-in-law?” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “June 1–7. ‘My Heart Rejoiceth in the Lord’”)

This suggests that covenant discipleship often begins with a deliberate choice to belong to the Lord’s people, even when the path looks uncertain.

2) Hannah brings honest sorrow to the Lord

Hannah’s pain is named directly: she could not have children, and that left her “in bitterness of soul.” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “June 1–7. ‘My Heart Rejoiceth in the Lord’”) Her story models prayer that does not pretend everything is fine, and faith that keeps reaching toward God while answers are still ahead.

3) Hannah’s worship becomes a pattern for rejoicing

The week’s title centers on Hannah’s words: “My heart rejoiceth in the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:1). The lesson applies this to modern life: “throughout the trials and surprises between here and your eternal destination, you can learn to say with Hannah, ‘My heart rejoiceth in the Lord’ (1 Samuel 2:1).” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “June 1–7. ‘My Heart Rejoiceth in the Lord’”)

4) The ark teaches Israel about trust and obedience

Israel tried to treat a sacred object as a shortcut to safety: “the Israelites apparently thought that simply possessing the ark of the covenant would protect them.” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “1 Samuel 2; 4–7”) The lesson asks readers to consider why that did not work and points to “the unrighteous actions of Eli’s sons” (1 Samuel 2:12–25) as part of the spiritual problem. (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “1 Samuel 2; 4–7”)

Hidden Connections

• Ruth’s trust and modern discipleship language: The lesson highlights Ruth’s growing reliance on the Lord and invites reflection on how readers have “come to trust” the Lord (Ruth 2:12) in difficult times. (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “Ruth; 1 Samuel 1”)
• Hearing God’s voice across scripture: Samuel “heard the voice of the Lord but did not recognize it.” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “1 Samuel 3”) The bundle links this to additional passages about recognizing revelation: 1 Kings 19:11–12; Luke 24:15–32; 3 Nephi 11:3–7; Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–23; 8:2–3; 9:7–9. (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “1 Samuel 3”)

Pattern Discovery

Two recurring patterns run through Ruth and 1 Samuel 1–7:

1. Loss or longing, then faithful action: Ruth and Naomi suffer great loss (Ruth 1:1–5), and Hannah longs for blessings not yet received (1 Samuel 1:1–10). (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “Ruth; 1 Samuel 1”) Their stories emphasize continuing to act in faith while outcomes remain unknown.

2. Sacred things require a faithful relationship with God: Israel’s experience with the ark shows that the Lord’s help is connected to trust and obedience, not symbolism alone. (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “1 Samuel 2; 4–7”)

Simple Questions

1. Where do you see “delays and detours” in Ruth’s or Hannah’s experiences? (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “June 1–7. ‘My Heart Rejoiceth in the Lord’”)
2. What details in Ruth’s choices show faith when her future security was unclear? (see Ruth 1:4–18; Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “June 1–7…”)
3. What does Hannah’s “bitterness of soul” teach about bringing real feelings into prayer? (see 1 Samuel 1:1–10; Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “June 1–7…”)
4. How does the phrase “come to trust” the Lord (Ruth 2:12) describe a process rather than a single moment? (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “Ruth; 1 Samuel 1”)
5. Why did “simply possessing the ark of the covenant” fail to protect Israel? (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “1 Samuel 2; 4–7”)
6. When you feel like Samuel, hearing but not recognizing the Lord’s voice, which cross-references in the bundle would you study first, and why? (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “1 Samuel 3”)

One Big Idea

The Lord guides covenant disciples through unexpected paths, and His help is received through trust, prayer, and obedience. The lesson states that everyone’s journey differs, yet “everyone who turns to the Savior receives His help and guidance.” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “Ruth; 1 Samuel 1”)

Living It

• When plans unravel, choose one faithful step that matches Ruth’s steady trust: keep worshipping with the Lord’s people and keep moving forward in goodness while the future remains unclear. (see Ruth 2:12; Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “Ruth; 1 Samuel 1”)
• Make prayer more like Hannah’s example: bring the real burden to God and keep showing up in worship while waiting for answers. (see 1 Samuel 1:1–10; Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “June 1–7…”)
• Treat sacred things with the seriousness Israel learned: seek the Lord’s protection through repentance and obedience rather than relying on outward tokens alone. (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “1 Samuel 2; 4–7”)

Faith Builder (Modern Prophetic Connection)

President Russell M. Nelson is quoted in the bundle: “Does God really want to speak to you? Yes!” (Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 93–96; quoted in Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “1 Samuel 3”) For further study, see also “Walk in God’s light” (For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices, 16–20). (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “1 Samuel 3”)

These accounts invite readers to keep trusting the Lord through detours, keep praying through longing, and keep listening until His voice becomes familiar.