One ancient Hebrew manuscript became four at the creation of the Greek Septuagint LXX.

Hannah makes a desperate vow that a not-yet conceived child would become a Nazarite for life.

God blessed Hannah with a son whom she named Samuel, with the meaning that God is the father.

Hannah proclaimed to God that she rejoiced in His salvation and gave Him credit for everything.

God divides and separates His true believers from those who claim to be part of His church but are not.

“When a man sins against God, who can possibly intercede and mediate for him?”

God’s leaders must be diligent, be vigilant, do the difficult tasks, and be willing to be held responsible.

The loss of the Ark to the Philistines and death of the priests meant God had withdrawn from Israel.

The Philistines, aware of the plagues of Egypt, told their priests to return the Ark and appease God.

The Israelites develop an emotional desire for God, but Samuel warns that they must remove the pagan gods.

Paganism at first was but a tiny and unnoticed blemish on Christianity; now it’s the new normal.

Applying the sheepfold metaphor to how worshipers of God ought to read and perceive Scripture.

Israel wanted to give up being a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” for status in the world’s eyes.

God told the Hebrews they could have a king, but they would have to live with the consequences.

To help alleviate Saul’s skepticism, Samuel gives three predictions that show how God is in control.

Saul was the divinely ideal choice as well as a logical and practical selection for king of Israel.

Saul proves himself and establishes his merit to be Israel’s king by rescuing Jabesh-Gilead.

The people acknowledged that Samuel had served them faithfully and not done them any wrong.

For the sake of His great reputation, God forgives Israel for rejecting Him by choosing a human king.

Samuel tells Saul that God had already decided on a replacement king, one who would be a man after His own heart.

Jonathan was unselfish, noble, and determined in his faith in God’s power to deliver.

Saul strengthened Israel’s military power but failed due to his neglect and disobedience to God’s Word.

Amalek (representing people opposed to God and His people) finally meets its fate at Armageddon.

Following a commandment of God only a little bit is just as disobedient as not following it at all.

“Does God take as much pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying what He says?”

Because King Saul called upon the Name of the God but wouldn’t obey, God permanently rejected him.

King David would be a demonstration of what happens when God’s will is set above all else.

David gets anointed as “King in waiting,” “King over the House of Judah,” and “King over Israel.”

David slew Goliath yet would still face another battle with the illegitimate King Saul.

Jonathan made a covenant of friendship with David and gave him his cloak, armor, and weapons.

Saul tried to kill David in various ways, even by deceiving Jonathan with a false oath using God’s name.

Saul sent men to kill David and even pursued David himself, but the Spirit of God overcame them all.

Jonathan conceded that his father Saul had deceived him and that God had chosen David as King.

To escape King Saul’s attempts to kill him, David used deception that later proved harmful to others.

Centuries in the future, Jesus would teach about David’s flight to Nob and of eating the showbread.

Saul’s rage against the Priesthood shows a pattern that may soon repeat with the Anti-Christ.

David sought God’s will with the Urim and Thummim to see if the city he rescued would betray him.

David detested the thought of murder and spared the life of the one who sought to kill him.

Saul finally admits that David will be king, but David irrationally almost commits an unredeemable act.

Abigail the prophetess saved David from the sin of blood guilt which had no atonement nor forgiveness.

Again, Saul pursued David; and again, David spared Saul’s life but no longer trusted Saul’s words.

David allied with the Philistines and began plundering while Saul sought guidance from the dead.

Saul did not expect to hear from Samuel that God had already determined his death.

David finds his village Ziklag emptied of its women and children—Amalek had come for revenge.

David had a crisis with his men while Saul and his sons became targets for the Philistine archers.