Study Desk

The Lord called Samuel for the third time. Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "I am here. You called me." Then Eli realized the Lord was calling the boy.

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

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

The Lord said to Samuel, "Watch, I am going to do something in Israel that will shock those who hear about it.

but Eli called to him, "Samuel, my son!" Samuel answered, "I am here."

Samuel answered, "I am the seer. Go with me to the place of worship. Today you and your servant are to eat with me. Tomorrow morning I will answer all your questions and send you home.

Saul answered, "But I am from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel. And my family group is the smallest in the tribe of Benjamin. Why are you saying such things?"

Now you have a king to lead you. I am old and gray, and 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 testify against me before the Lord and his appointed king. Did I steal anyone's ox or donkey? Did I hurt or cheat anyone? Did I ever secretly accept money to pretend not to see something wrong? If I did any of these things, I will make it right."

"I am sorry I made Saul king, because he has stopped following me and has not obeyed my commands." Samuel was upset, and he cried out to the Lord all night long.

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

Goliath stood and shouted to the Israelite soldiers, "Why have you taken positions for battle? I am a Philistine, and you are Saul's servants! Choose a man and send him to fight me.

He said, "Do you think I am a dog, that you come at me with a stick?" He used his gods' names to curse David.

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

But David answered Saul, saying, "Who am I? My family is not important enough for me to become the king's son-in-law."

Saul's servants said these words to David, but David answered, "Do you think it is easy to become the king's son-in-law? I am poor and unimportant."

But David took an oath, saying, "Your father knows very well that you like me. He says to himself, ‘Jonathan must not know about it, or he will tell David.' As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I am only a step away from death!"

So David said, "Look, tomorrow is the New Moon festival. I am supposed to eat with the king, but let me hide in the field until the third evening.

If your father notices I am gone, tell him, ‘David begged me to let him go to his hometown of Bethlehem. Every year at this time his family group offers a sacrifice.'

If your father says, ‘Fine,' I am safe. But if he becomes angry, you will know that he wants to hurt me.