Study Desk

She said to him, "Pardon me, sir. I am the same woman who stood near you praying to the Lord . I promise that I am telling the truth.

Hannah said, "My heart is happy in the Lord . I feel very strong in my God. I laugh at my enemies. I am very happy in my victory.

The Lord called Samuel, and Samuel answered, "Here I am."

Samuel thought Eli was calling him, so he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me." But Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back to bed." So Samuel went back to bed.

Again the Lord called, "Samuel!" Again Samuel ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me." Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back to bed."

The Lord called Samuel the third time. Again Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me." Finally, Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy.

Eli told Samuel, "Go to bed. If he calls you again, say, ‘Speak, Lord . I am your servant, and I am listening.'" So Samuel went back to bed.

The Lord came and stood there. He called as he did before, saying, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel said, "Speak. I am your servant, and I am listening."

He said, "I am the man who just came from the battle. I ran away from the battle today." Eli asked, "What happened, son?"

Samuel answered, "I am the seer. Go on up ahead of me to the place for worship. You and your servant will eat with me today. I will let you go home tomorrow morning. I will answer all your questions.

Saul answered, "But I am a member of the tribe of Benjamin. It is the smallest tribe in Israel. And my family is the smallest in the tribe of Benjamin. Why do you say Israel wants me?"

Now you have a king to lead you. I am old and gray, but my sons are here with you. I have been your leader since I was young.

Here I am. If I have done anything wrong, you must tell these things to the Lord and his chosen king. Did I steal anyone's ox or donkey? Did I hurt or cheat anyone? Did I ever take money, or even a pair of sandals, to do something wrong? If I did any of these things, I will make it right."

The young man who carried Jonathan's weapons said to him, "Do what you think is best. Whatever you decide, I am with you all the way."

"Saul has stopped following me, so I am sorry that I made him king. He is not doing what I tell him." Samuel became angry and cried to the Lord all night.

The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you feel sorry for Saul? I have rejected him as king of Israel. Fill your horn with oil and go to Bethlehem. I am sending you to Jesse who lives in Bethlehem, because I have chosen one of his sons to be the new king."

Each day Goliath would come out and shout a challenge to the Israelite soldiers. He would say, "Why are all of your soldiers lined up ready for battle? You are Saul's servants. I am a Philistine. So choose one man and send him to fight me.

David said to Saul, "People shouldn't let Goliath discourage them. I am your servant. I will go fight this Philistine."

Saul asked him, "Young man, who is your father?" David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse, from Bethlehem."

But David said, "I am not an important man from an important family. I can't marry the king's daughter."