Study Desk

Then she fell with her face to the ground and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your eyes? Why do you care about me? I am a stranger from another land."

Then Ruth said, "Sir, I have found favor in your eyes. For you have brought comfort and have been kind in speaking to your woman servant. And I am not like any of your other women servants."

He said, "Who are you?" She answered, "I am Ruth, your woman servant. Spread your covering over me. For you are of our family."

It is true that I am of your family. But there is one closer than I.

I thought I should let you know about it. Buy it in front of those who are sitting here, and in front of the leaders of my people. If you will buy it, then buy it. But if not, tell me you do not want to buy it, so I may know. For you have the right to be the first one to buy it. And I am after you." The man said, "I will buy it."

Then her husband Elkanah said to her, "Hannah, why are you crying? Why are you not eating, and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"

But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not drunk wine or strong drink, but I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.

Hannah said, "O, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord.

Then the Lord called Samuel, and Samuel said, "Here I am."

He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call you. Lie down again." So Samuel went and lay down.

The Lord called again, "Samuel!" So Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But Eli answered, "I did not call you, my son. Lie down again."

The Lord called Samuel again for the third time. He got up and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy.

The Lord said to Samuel, "See, I am about to do a thing in Israel which will make both ears of everyone who hears it feel strange.

Eli called Samuel and said, "Samuel, my son." And Samuel said, "Here I am."

Samuel answered Saul and said, "I am the man of God. Go up before me to the high place. For you will eat with me today, and tomorrow I will let you go. And I will tell you all that is on your mind.

Saul answered, "Am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest of the family groups of Israel? Is not my family the least important of all the families of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me this way?"

Now see, the king walks in front of you. But I am old. My hair is growing white. See, my sons are with you. I have walked in front of you since I was young, until this day.

Here I am. Speak against me to the Lord and Saul His chosen one. Whose bull have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? To whom have I not been honest? For whom have I made it hard? From whose hand have I taken pay for closing my eyes to the truth? I will return it to you."

The young man who was carrying his battle-clothes said to him, "Do all that is in your mind. I am with you in whatever you think to do."

Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." So Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the end of the stick that was in my hand. Here I am. I must die."