Category Archives: 1 Samuel

Jonathan and David—Soul Friends 1 By the time David had finished reporting to Saul, Jonathan was deeply impressed with David—an immediate bond was forged between them. He became totally committed to David. From that point on he would be David’s number-one advocate and friend. 2 Saul received David into his own household that day, no […]

Hannah Pours Out Her Heart to God 1-2 There once was a man who lived in Ramathaim. He was descended from the old Zuph family in the Ephraim hills. His name was Elkanah. (He was connected with the Zuphs from Ephraim through his father Jeroham, his grandfather Elihu, and his great-grandfather Tohu.) He had two […]

1 Hannah prayed: I’m bursting withGod-news! I’m walking on air. I’m laughing at my rivals. I’m dancing my salvation. 2-5 Nothing and no one is holy likeGod, no rock mountain like our God. Don’t dare talk pretentiously— not a word of boasting, ever! ForGodknows what’s going on. He takes the measure of everything that happens. […]

“Speak, God. I’m Ready to Listen” 1-3 The boy Samuel was servingGodunder Eli’s direction. This was at a time when the revelation ofGodwas rarely heard or seen. One night Eli was sound asleep (his eyesight was very bad—he could hardly see). It was well before dawn; the sanctuary lamp was still burning. Samuel was still […]

The Chest of God Is Taken 1-3 Whatever Samuel said was broadcast all through Israel. Israel went to war against the Philistines. Israel set up camp at Ebenezer, the Philistines at Aphek. The Philistines marched out to meet Israel, the fighting spread, and Israel was badly beaten—about four thousand soldiers left dead on the field. […]

Threatened with Mass Death 1-2 Once the Philistines had seized the Chest of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, brought it into the shrine of Dagon, and placed it alongside the idol of Dagon. 3-5 Next morning when the citizens of Ashdod got up, they were shocked to find Dagon toppled from his […]

Gold Tumors and Rats 1-2 After the Chest ofGodhad been among the Philistine people for seven months, the Philistine leaders called together their religious professionals, the priests, and experts on the supernatural for consultation: “How can we get rid of this Chest ofGod, get it off our hands without making things worse? Tell us!” 3 […]

1 And they did. The men of Kiriath Jearim came and got the Chest ofGodand delivered it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. They ordained his son, Eleazar, to take responsibility for the Chest ofGod. 2 From the time that the Chest came to rest in Kiriath Jearim, a long time passed—twenty years […]

Rejecting God as the King 1-3 When Samuel got to be an old man, he set his sons up as judges in Israel. His firstborn son was named Joel, the name of his second, Abijah. They were assigned duty in Beersheba. But his sons didn’t take after him; they were out for what they could […]

Saul—Head and Shoulders Above the Crowd 1-2 There was a man from the tribe of Benjamin named Kish. He was the son of Abiel, grandson of Zeror, great-grandson of Becorath, great-great-grandson of Aphiah—a Benjaminite of stalwart character. He had a son, Saul, a most handsome young man. There was none finer—he literally stood head and […]