April 14, 2025 • 17 mins
In this Bible Story, Samuel is introduced. He was attentive to the voice of God, served the Lord and his people selflessly, and was chosen by God to guide Israel in a period of darkness and uncertainty. This story is inspired by 1 Samuel 1-3. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.
Today's Bible verse is 1 Samuel 2:30 from the King James Version.
Episode 75: In the time of the judges, there was a man named Elkanah. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah, and each year he would take his family up to Shiloh to worship the Lord. Peninnah would ridicule Hannah because she was barren. So Hannah prayed to God at Shiloh and asked Him for a son. She promised that she would dedicate her son to Him for all his life if He should give her but this one request. As we will find out, God is not one to turn away a person whose heart is sincerely turned toward Him.
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Music by: Andrew Morgan Smith
Bible Story narration by: Todd Haberkorn
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let us pray. Wherefore the Lord God of Israel, Saith
I said, indeed that thy house and the house of
thy father should walk before me forever. But now the
Lord Saith, be it far from me. For them that
honor me, I will honor, and they that despise me
(00:22):
shall be lightly esteemed. First Samuel two twenty, Lord, I
know that you are not taken back by bold prayers,
So like Hannah, I will not be ashamed to lay
before you and make my request known. Thank you Jesus
(00:42):
that because of your sacrifice, I can come boldly before
the Lord in prayer and make the desires of my
heart known to him. As a child of God living
in alignment with my assignment, I thank you in advance
for moving and working on my behalf to bring my
purpose into focus. In the same way Hannah dedicated Samuel
(01:06):
to do your work, I also dedicate and devote my gifts,
my promotions, and all opportunities to you, because my focus
is to bring you glory. Therefore, I will listen when
you call me. Like Samuel, I will say speak, Lord,
for your servant is listening, because I know that one
(01:29):
word from you is worth a thousand elsewhere I declare
that I am chosen and that I am set apart.
I will live differently, speak differently, think differently, and believe
differently because I've been called to do great things. The
(01:50):
days of me playing small so others don't get uncomfortable
are done. You've placed me where I am, and I
am ready to receive my mind calling. I am your servant,
Speak Lord, I'm ready in Jesus' name.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Thank you for making prayer a priority in your day.
To learn more about the Bible, stay tuned for today's story,
brought to you by Bible in a year dot com,
The Rise of Samuel.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
In our last story, we learned about the romance of
Ruth and a kinsman redeemer, Boaz. Boaz redeemed Ruth from
her poverty and loneliness, and the two were married. They
had a child named Obed, who would be the grandfather
of one of Israel's greatest kings. Now we begin a
new adventure with Samuel, a prophet, judge, and ruler over Israel.
(02:57):
He would pave the way for a new era in Israel,
the era of Kings, inspired by the Book of First Samuel.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham. With today's episode of the
Bible in a Year podcast. In yesterday's episode, we heard
the story of how Boaz and Ruth married and had
a son named Obd. Obd would be the grandfather of
Israel's greatest king, David. It was the dawn of a
new era in the history of God's people, the age
(03:30):
of the Kings, and today we'll hear how this new
era began with a child born to a woman named Hannah.
This child, named Samuel, would be promised to God's service
by his mother, Hannah, who had prayed and longed for
him many years. Samuel would grow to be a great
prophet and judge, but first he would serve in the
temple and receive a very special calling from God. Let's
(03:53):
listen to today's reading.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
The country of Israel lived in captivity to their own idolatry.
After the Civil War of Benjamin and Israel, the people
retreated back into their old ways of idle worship and
living selfishly. During this time, there were a few remaining
faithful who continued to devote their lives to the Lord,
seeking him in all their ways. One of those people
(04:18):
was a man in the hill country of Ephraim El Cana.
Al Cana had two wives, since one of his wives, Hannah,
was unable to have children. His other wife, Fanigna, had
many children, but el Cana loved Hannah more. Panina lived
without the undivided love of her husband and spited Hannah
(04:39):
because of it. She tormented and teased Hannah endlessly, just
as Jacob's wives Rachel and Leah. The two women hated
one another because of their husband's lack of sins. Year
by year, Hannah would endure the relentless provocation from Panina.
Hannah would often approach the altar of God to pray.
(05:00):
Day after day, she would enter into the house of
the Lord and beg him for a child. One day,
she lay on the floor of the temple and wept bitterly.
Her tears fell upon the altar, and her indiscernible prayers
echoed through the empty chamber. Hannah lifted her eyes to
heaven and prayed, Lord of Hosts, Maker of Heaven and Earth,
(05:21):
please look at my pain and have pity on me.
If you give me a son, I promise to give
him to you as a servant for the rest of
his life. As Hannah continued to pray, Eli the priest
of the temple watched her. Hannah was speaking so deeply
and from her heart that it almost seemed as though
she was drunk. Eli, an already grumpy old man, scoffed
(05:45):
at her and said, how long will you lay there drunk?
Hannah turned round. Startled by Eli's voice, she wiped her
face and stood up. Oh no, my Lord, I am
simply a woman with a troubled spirit. I was bearing
my soul before God. She spoke softly, embarrassed at Eli's comments.
Please do not see me as a worthless woman. I
(06:08):
just pray with great anxiety. Eli saw that she was
truly distraught. He sighed and then gave a quick smile.
Go in peace, He said, God will answer, I am
sure of it. Then Eli departed to leave Hannah to
her prayers. Hannah smiled and returned to her husband to eat.
They worshiped God more in the House of God and
(06:31):
returned home. Time passed, and Paniona's pestering lost all its sting,
for Hannah had conceived a son and named him Samuel.
The Lord had answered her prayers. Hannah remembered her prayer
to God. She swore to God that if she was
given a son, she would offer him up into his surface.
(06:52):
When Samuel was old enough, she brought him to Eli.
Hannah held her child, trusting that God would be faith
to do great things. Because of her faithfulness, her heart broke,
just as abrahams once did when he brought Isaac to
the altar. Sir Samuel studied and served under Eli. He
grew to be strong, wise, and attentive to the voice
(07:15):
of God's spirit. Samuel became like a son to Eli,
which was fitting since his sons grew up to be
wicked and worthless men. They would steal from the offerings
given to God and treat his altar like their own
personal feeding troth. The two men used their influence to
seduce women who desired to serve God. They took advantage
(07:37):
of the people and treated God's children as objects for
their own pleasure. Eli was an old man and unable
to keep his sons from sinning. Eli tried reasoning with them, saying,
if you sin against man, there may be some one
to prey on your behalf for forgiveness. But you are
sinning against God, and there may be no one to
(07:58):
help you. Naturally, the men refused to listen and continued
to sin against God and his children. God was about
to do a new work in Israel, a work of
great justice, peace, and deliverance. He would not tolerate the
priestly family to continue in such sin and selfishness. God's
rage is not unpredictable or uncalled for. His anger is
(08:21):
precise and always pointed towards those who would hurt his
people and scorn his name. Therefore God's rage burst like
a mighty wildfire against the sons of Eli. He spoke
in an ancient fury. The voice of a righteous king
bellowed in Eli's ear as he spoke, saying, did I
reveal myself to your forefathers in Egypt? All to have
(08:45):
you scorn my offering table? Your sons fatten themselves with
the worship of my people. They abuse and neglect, and
you have allowed it. Eli began to tremble as God spoke, Hold,
the days are coming where your sons will be cast
out into darkness. They shall behold the prosperity of my
(09:07):
people and look upon them with envy. They shall both
die on the same day, and I shall raise up
a priest of my own who shall be unified with
my heart. And mind, and your son's lines shall beg
for bread. Years had passed, and the boy Samuel was
ministering to the Lord of Eli. He served Eli in
(09:29):
his old age. He would tend to him, feed him,
and perform the duties of a priest on his behalf.
Samuel was attentive and eager to help God's people draw
closer to him. One night, Samuel was lying down in
the Temple of God, where the ark of the Covenant lay.
The candles and the temple flickered and made shadows dance
(09:49):
around the walls. There was a slight breeze coming in
through the back, and Samuel slept in the coolness of night.
Then a faint whisper grazed the ear of Samuel. He
opened his eyes and walked towards Eli's chamber and said, here,
I am Eli. You called for me. Eli woke up
from his sleep and said, you must be dreaming. I
(10:10):
did not call for you. Go back to sleep. So
Samuel went back into the floor of the temple to rest.
As he began to drift, he heard that still and
quiet voice once again, Samuel. The voice whispered intensely. Samuel
jolted awake. This time, running to the bedside of Eli.
Here I am Eli, he shouted. Eli shook in his bed,
(10:34):
surprised and annoyed that he had been waking up again.
He did not call him and shoot Samuel out of
his room again. As Samuel was falling asleep, a voice
beckoned him. When he went to the bedside of Eli again.
Eli perceived it might be from the Lord. Eli waved
for Samuel to come closer. He held his hand and
spoke gently, saying, Samuel, if you hear the voice again,
(10:58):
do not come running to me, ask for it to
speak again, and listen carefully. Samuel left Eli and knelt
down at the altar of God. He closed his eyes,
intent on listening. Samuel, Samuel, the voice said again. Samuel
remained still. Small drops of sweat began to form around
(11:19):
his forehead. He knew now that it was the Lord
who beckoned him. Samuel gulped and said, here, I am Lord,
your servant. Hears pleased. God spoke with Samuel. Their conversation
reflected dimly the time God visited Moses in fire. God
spoke with clarity, strength and love for his people. Behold,
(11:42):
I am making things new in Israel. Every one who
hears will quiver as I eradicate the sons of Eli
to establish my new priesthood. The next morning, Eli inquired
of what Samuel heard from God. Samuel was not sure
whether he should divulge everything to Eli, for it meant
grave news for his sons. Over breakfast, Samuel told Eli
(12:05):
of his experience. Somber, thoughtful and content, Eli spoke and said,
if it is the Lord's will, so be it. After this,
Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him in everything
he did. The favor of Joseph was upon him. Every
word Samuel spoke uplifted the people, and no exhortation fell
(12:27):
on deaf ears. Every tribe of Israel recognized Samuel as
their prophet and priest. It would be Samuel who would
endure the complaints of Israel as Moses once did. He
would lead them well, and soon he would pave the
way for a new era in Israel, the era of Kings.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Today's story begins with a man named Elkanah who lived
in Ephraim. He was one of the few who remained
faithful to God in those days. But though he was faithful,
he was also flawed because he had two wives Hannah
and Penana, his wives, were bitter rivals, just like Leah
and Rachel. You see, though Penana had given him many children,
(13:14):
Elkanah loved Hannah Moore. Hannah, however, was unable to conceive,
and Pennanah held this over Hannah's head ruthlessly, tormenting her.
Every year, when Alkanah went to offer sacrifices to God
in the temple at Shiloh, Hannah would plead to God
for a son. This continued year after year. Finally, one day,
(13:36):
as she prayed, she promised God that if he had
give her a son, she would give that son back
to God to serve him all his life. When Eli,
the temple priest, saw her praying, her lips moving without
making a sound as she spoke to God, he thought
she was drunk. Listened to her response in First Samuel
one point fifteen, Hannah answered, no, my Lord, I am
(13:58):
a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine
nor strong drink, but I've been pouring out my soul
before the Lord. We should always remember when we are troubled,
when we are in turmoil, when we are in anguish
and desperate, there is no better place to pour out
our hearts, our souls than to God. God hears our
(14:19):
prayers and cares for us, just as he did for Hannah.
Hearing this response, Eli told her to go in peace
that God would answer her request. So Hannah became pregnant
with a son. She was overjoyed, but Hannah also knew
that her son would not stay with her because she
had promised to God that she would give him back
(14:40):
to him true to her word. When Samuel was winged,
she took him to Eli to be raised in the
service of God. And because of her great faithfulness, God
blessed Hannah even more, giving her three more sons than
two daughters. It's absolutely true, isn't it that you can
never outgive God. So Eli raised Samuel like a son,
(15:02):
and that's a very good thing. Because his own sons,
we find out, were up to no good. They served themselves,
not God, under the guise of their own priesthood. It
was a terrible affront to Almighty God, and he would
not allow this to continue. But despite warnings, they would
not stop. So God told Eli that his sons would
(15:23):
be cast out, and rather than work through Eli's worthless offspring,
God would raise up another priest, one who would serve
him with integrity and devotion. One night, as he was sleeping,
Samuel heard a voice calling, but it was not Eli.
Two more times, he thought Eli was calling him and
ran to Eli's room. Eli then understood what was going
(15:45):
on and told Samuel to ask the voice to speak
next time, and then to listen. Samuel heard the voice again,
and this time he did listen. God told Samuel he
was about to make things new in Israel, and that
Eli's line would be wiped doubt to make way for
a new priesthood. When Eli heard the news, he submitted
to God's will, trusting in the grace and the goodness
(16:08):
of God. Even in this Samuel would be this next priest,
one like Israel had never known before. He would help
Usher in the time of kings. But first Israel would
be visited by an old enemy. And we'll hear that
story the next time. Dear Lord, we thank you that
you always hear our prayers. We thank you that you
(16:31):
speak to us even as we listen to you. So
today we say speak, Lord, for your servant is listening,
just like Samuel of old, Just like Samuel so long ago,
we submit our lives to do your will. Speak, Lord,
we are listening in Jesus's name. Amen. Thank you for
(16:54):
listening to today's Bible of a Year podcast. I'm Jack
Graham of Dallas, Texas, and you can download the pray
dot com app and make prayer the priority of your life.
It is our prayer that you would know Jesus Christ
in a personal way. Jesus and knowing him is the
key to understanding the Bible. Jesus is on every page
(17:16):
in the pathway of Scripture, so I pray that you
would know him and look to Him for eternal life.
As we see all of these stories, some of them
very sordid, we realize just how desperately we all need
the Lord. So invite Christ into your life and receive
Him as your Lord and savior. I would also encourage
you to download the pray dot com app and let
(17:38):
others know about this podcast. And if you want more
resources on how to know God and experience his presence
in your life, be sure to visit Jack Graham dot org.
God bless you.
Let us pray. Wherefore the Lord God of Israel, Saith
I said, indeed that thy house and the house of
thy father should walk before me forever. But now the
Lord Saith, be it far from me. For them that
honor me, I will honor, and they that despise me
(00:22):
shall be lightly esteemed. First Samuel two twenty, Lord, I
know that you are not taken back by bold prayers,
So like Hannah, I will not be ashamed to lay
before you and make my request known. Thank you Jesus
(00:42):
that because of your sacrifice, I can come boldly before
the Lord in prayer and make the desires of my
heart known to him. As a child of God living
in alignment with my assignment, I thank you in advance
for moving and working on my behalf to bring my
purpose into focus. In the same way Hannah dedicated Samuel
(01:06):
to do your work, I also dedicate and devote my gifts,
my promotions, and all opportunities to you, because my focus
is to bring you glory. Therefore, I will listen when
you call me. Like Samuel, I will say speak, Lord,
for your servant is listening, because I know that one
(01:29):
word from you is worth a thousand elsewhere I declare
that I am chosen and that I am set apart.
I will live differently, speak differently, think differently, and believe
differently because I've been called to do great things. The
(01:50):
days of me playing small so others don't get uncomfortable
are done. You've placed me where I am, and I
am ready to receive my mind calling. I am your servant,
Speak Lord, I'm ready in Jesus' name.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Thank you for making prayer a priority in your day.
To learn more about the Bible, stay tuned for today's story,
brought to you by Bible in a year dot com,
The Rise of Samuel.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
In our last story, we learned about the romance of
Ruth and a kinsman redeemer, Boaz. Boaz redeemed Ruth from
her poverty and loneliness, and the two were married. They
had a child named Obed, who would be the grandfather
of one of Israel's greatest kings. Now we begin a
new adventure with Samuel, a prophet, judge, and ruler over Israel.
(02:57):
He would pave the way for a new era in Israel,
the era of Kings, inspired by the Book of First Samuel.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham. With today's episode of the
Bible in a Year podcast. In yesterday's episode, we heard
the story of how Boaz and Ruth married and had
a son named Obd. Obd would be the grandfather of
Israel's greatest king, David. It was the dawn of a
new era in the history of God's people, the age
(03:30):
of the Kings, and today we'll hear how this new
era began with a child born to a woman named Hannah.
This child, named Samuel, would be promised to God's service
by his mother, Hannah, who had prayed and longed for
him many years. Samuel would grow to be a great
prophet and judge, but first he would serve in the
temple and receive a very special calling from God. Let's
(03:53):
listen to today's reading.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
The country of Israel lived in captivity to their own idolatry.
After the Civil War of Benjamin and Israel, the people
retreated back into their old ways of idle worship and
living selfishly. During this time, there were a few remaining
faithful who continued to devote their lives to the Lord,
seeking him in all their ways. One of those people
(04:18):
was a man in the hill country of Ephraim El Cana.
Al Cana had two wives, since one of his wives, Hannah,
was unable to have children. His other wife, Fanigna, had
many children, but el Cana loved Hannah more. Panina lived
without the undivided love of her husband and spited Hannah
(04:39):
because of it. She tormented and teased Hannah endlessly, just
as Jacob's wives Rachel and Leah. The two women hated
one another because of their husband's lack of sins. Year
by year, Hannah would endure the relentless provocation from Panina.
Hannah would often approach the altar of God to pray.
(05:00):
Day after day, she would enter into the house of
the Lord and beg him for a child. One day,
she lay on the floor of the temple and wept bitterly.
Her tears fell upon the altar, and her indiscernible prayers
echoed through the empty chamber. Hannah lifted her eyes to
heaven and prayed, Lord of Hosts, Maker of Heaven and Earth,
(05:21):
please look at my pain and have pity on me.
If you give me a son, I promise to give
him to you as a servant for the rest of
his life. As Hannah continued to pray, Eli the priest
of the temple watched her. Hannah was speaking so deeply
and from her heart that it almost seemed as though
she was drunk. Eli, an already grumpy old man, scoffed
(05:45):
at her and said, how long will you lay there drunk?
Hannah turned round. Startled by Eli's voice, she wiped her
face and stood up. Oh no, my Lord, I am
simply a woman with a troubled spirit. I was bearing
my soul before God. She spoke softly, embarrassed at Eli's comments.
Please do not see me as a worthless woman. I
(06:08):
just pray with great anxiety. Eli saw that she was
truly distraught. He sighed and then gave a quick smile.
Go in peace, He said, God will answer, I am
sure of it. Then Eli departed to leave Hannah to
her prayers. Hannah smiled and returned to her husband to eat.
They worshiped God more in the House of God and
(06:31):
returned home. Time passed, and Paniona's pestering lost all its sting,
for Hannah had conceived a son and named him Samuel.
The Lord had answered her prayers. Hannah remembered her prayer
to God. She swore to God that if she was
given a son, she would offer him up into his surface.
(06:52):
When Samuel was old enough, she brought him to Eli.
Hannah held her child, trusting that God would be faith
to do great things. Because of her faithfulness, her heart broke,
just as abrahams once did when he brought Isaac to
the altar. Sir Samuel studied and served under Eli. He
grew to be strong, wise, and attentive to the voice
(07:15):
of God's spirit. Samuel became like a son to Eli,
which was fitting since his sons grew up to be
wicked and worthless men. They would steal from the offerings
given to God and treat his altar like their own
personal feeding troth. The two men used their influence to
seduce women who desired to serve God. They took advantage
(07:37):
of the people and treated God's children as objects for
their own pleasure. Eli was an old man and unable
to keep his sons from sinning. Eli tried reasoning with them, saying,
if you sin against man, there may be some one
to prey on your behalf for forgiveness. But you are
sinning against God, and there may be no one to
(07:58):
help you. Naturally, the men refused to listen and continued
to sin against God and his children. God was about
to do a new work in Israel, a work of
great justice, peace, and deliverance. He would not tolerate the
priestly family to continue in such sin and selfishness. God's
rage is not unpredictable or uncalled for. His anger is
(08:21):
precise and always pointed towards those who would hurt his
people and scorn his name. Therefore God's rage burst like
a mighty wildfire against the sons of Eli. He spoke
in an ancient fury. The voice of a righteous king
bellowed in Eli's ear as he spoke, saying, did I
reveal myself to your forefathers in Egypt? All to have
(08:45):
you scorn my offering table? Your sons fatten themselves with
the worship of my people. They abuse and neglect, and
you have allowed it. Eli began to tremble as God spoke, Hold,
the days are coming where your sons will be cast
out into darkness. They shall behold the prosperity of my
(09:07):
people and look upon them with envy. They shall both
die on the same day, and I shall raise up
a priest of my own who shall be unified with
my heart. And mind, and your son's lines shall beg
for bread. Years had passed, and the boy Samuel was
ministering to the Lord of Eli. He served Eli in
(09:29):
his old age. He would tend to him, feed him,
and perform the duties of a priest on his behalf.
Samuel was attentive and eager to help God's people draw
closer to him. One night, Samuel was lying down in
the Temple of God, where the ark of the Covenant lay.
The candles and the temple flickered and made shadows dance
(09:49):
around the walls. There was a slight breeze coming in
through the back, and Samuel slept in the coolness of night.
Then a faint whisper grazed the ear of Samuel. He
opened his eyes and walked towards Eli's chamber and said, here,
I am Eli. You called for me. Eli woke up
from his sleep and said, you must be dreaming. I
(10:10):
did not call for you. Go back to sleep. So
Samuel went back into the floor of the temple to rest.
As he began to drift, he heard that still and
quiet voice once again, Samuel. The voice whispered intensely. Samuel
jolted awake. This time, running to the bedside of Eli.
Here I am Eli, he shouted. Eli shook in his bed,
(10:34):
surprised and annoyed that he had been waking up again.
He did not call him and shoot Samuel out of
his room again. As Samuel was falling asleep, a voice
beckoned him. When he went to the bedside of Eli again.
Eli perceived it might be from the Lord. Eli waved
for Samuel to come closer. He held his hand and
spoke gently, saying, Samuel, if you hear the voice again,
(10:58):
do not come running to me, ask for it to
speak again, and listen carefully. Samuel left Eli and knelt
down at the altar of God. He closed his eyes,
intent on listening. Samuel, Samuel, the voice said again. Samuel
remained still. Small drops of sweat began to form around
(11:19):
his forehead. He knew now that it was the Lord
who beckoned him. Samuel gulped and said, here, I am Lord,
your servant. Hears pleased. God spoke with Samuel. Their conversation
reflected dimly the time God visited Moses in fire. God
spoke with clarity, strength and love for his people. Behold,
(11:42):
I am making things new in Israel. Every one who
hears will quiver as I eradicate the sons of Eli
to establish my new priesthood. The next morning, Eli inquired
of what Samuel heard from God. Samuel was not sure
whether he should divulge everything to Eli, for it meant
grave news for his sons. Over breakfast, Samuel told Eli
(12:05):
of his experience. Somber, thoughtful and content, Eli spoke and said,
if it is the Lord's will, so be it. After this,
Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him in everything
he did. The favor of Joseph was upon him. Every
word Samuel spoke uplifted the people, and no exhortation fell
(12:27):
on deaf ears. Every tribe of Israel recognized Samuel as
their prophet and priest. It would be Samuel who would
endure the complaints of Israel as Moses once did. He
would lead them well, and soon he would pave the
way for a new era in Israel, the era of Kings.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Today's story begins with a man named Elkanah who lived
in Ephraim. He was one of the few who remained
faithful to God in those days. But though he was faithful,
he was also flawed because he had two wives Hannah
and Penana, his wives, were bitter rivals, just like Leah
and Rachel. You see, though Penana had given him many children,
(13:14):
Elkanah loved Hannah Moore. Hannah, however, was unable to conceive,
and Pennanah held this over Hannah's head ruthlessly, tormenting her.
Every year, when Alkanah went to offer sacrifices to God
in the temple at Shiloh, Hannah would plead to God
for a son. This continued year after year. Finally, one day,
(13:36):
as she prayed, she promised God that if he had
give her a son, she would give that son back
to God to serve him all his life. When Eli,
the temple priest, saw her praying, her lips moving without
making a sound as she spoke to God, he thought
she was drunk. Listened to her response in First Samuel
one point fifteen, Hannah answered, no, my Lord, I am
(13:58):
a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine
nor strong drink, but I've been pouring out my soul
before the Lord. We should always remember when we are troubled,
when we are in turmoil, when we are in anguish
and desperate, there is no better place to pour out
our hearts, our souls than to God. God hears our
(14:19):
prayers and cares for us, just as he did for Hannah.
Hearing this response, Eli told her to go in peace
that God would answer her request. So Hannah became pregnant
with a son. She was overjoyed, but Hannah also knew
that her son would not stay with her because she
had promised to God that she would give him back
(14:40):
to him true to her word. When Samuel was winged,
she took him to Eli to be raised in the
service of God. And because of her great faithfulness, God
blessed Hannah even more, giving her three more sons than
two daughters. It's absolutely true, isn't it that you can
never outgive God. So Eli raised Samuel like a son,
(15:02):
and that's a very good thing. Because his own sons,
we find out, were up to no good. They served themselves,
not God, under the guise of their own priesthood. It
was a terrible affront to Almighty God, and he would
not allow this to continue. But despite warnings, they would
not stop. So God told Eli that his sons would
(15:23):
be cast out, and rather than work through Eli's worthless offspring,
God would raise up another priest, one who would serve
him with integrity and devotion. One night, as he was sleeping,
Samuel heard a voice calling, but it was not Eli.
Two more times, he thought Eli was calling him and
ran to Eli's room. Eli then understood what was going
(15:45):
on and told Samuel to ask the voice to speak
next time, and then to listen. Samuel heard the voice again,
and this time he did listen. God told Samuel he
was about to make things new in Israel, and that
Eli's line would be wiped doubt to make way for
a new priesthood. When Eli heard the news, he submitted
to God's will, trusting in the grace and the goodness
(16:08):
of God. Even in this Samuel would be this next priest,
one like Israel had never known before. He would help
Usher in the time of kings. But first Israel would
be visited by an old enemy. And we'll hear that
story the next time. Dear Lord, we thank you that
you always hear our prayers. We thank you that you
(16:31):
speak to us even as we listen to you. So
today we say speak, Lord, for your servant is listening,
just like Samuel of old, Just like Samuel so long ago,
we submit our lives to do your will. Speak, Lord,
we are listening in Jesus's name. Amen. Thank you for
(16:54):
listening to today's Bible of a Year podcast. I'm Jack
Graham of Dallas, Texas, and you can download the pray
dot com app and make prayer the priority of your life.
It is our prayer that you would know Jesus Christ
in a personal way. Jesus and knowing him is the
key to understanding the Bible. Jesus is on every page
(17:16):
in the pathway of Scripture, so I pray that you
would know him and look to Him for eternal life.
As we see all of these stories, some of them
very sordid, we realize just how desperately we all need
the Lord. So invite Christ into your life and receive
Him as your Lord and savior. I would also encourage
you to download the pray dot com app and let
(17:38):
others know about this podcast. And if you want more
resources on how to know God and experience his presence
in your life, be sure to visit Jack Graham dot org.
God bless you.
Host
Jack Graham
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