In today’s reading, following the return of the ark to Israel Samuel calls the people of Israel to repentance, to turn away from false gods, which in their mourning of recent events they readily do, and the LORD grants them a lasting victory over the Philistines at Mizpeh. In the years that follow, as Samuel enters his old age, the Israelites demand a king to be appointed over them “to fight our battles for us”, and Samuel seeks the LORD’s counsel, the prophecy of which declares that the king they would receive will be far more then really wanted.

Into/Outro music: "Unexpectedly" (c) 1995 Alex Grant Used by permission