The Rev. Thomas Eckstein, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 1 Samuel 3:1-4:11.

Samuel, still a young boy, hears God calling him in the night. At first, he thinks it’s the voice of the high priest Eli, but it soon becomes evident that YHWH himself is calling. God reveals his judgment against the corrupt priest, Eli, and his sons. This comes to pass in the next chapter as the Israelites fight against the Philistines. The ark is captured and Hophni and Phinehas die on the battlefield.

The Book of 1 Samuel beings with the unique birth of Samuel, the last judge of Israel. Soon, the people of Israel begin to press upon the aging prophet Samuel to anoint a king over them like the other nations. YHWH assures Samuel that the people are rejecting their God, not Samuel. He advises Samuel to give the people what they want. What follows is the rise and fall of King Saul, the eventual anointing and coronation of David as king, the forerunner of Jesus. It’s a true story of political intrigue and warfare, but it’s also more than that. 1 Samuel shows us God working to save his people from their enemies and even from themselves.