When the Philistines come to attack King Saul's army, they send a representative from their side to offer the Israelites a deal. Not everyone has to fight! If someone defeats Goliath, their giant soldier, then the Philistines will become their servants. If Goliath wins, then Israel will serve them.  David arrives on the scene with food for his brothers. Although he is not yet an adult, he offers to fight Goliath. Isn't there somebody else who can do it?

Samuel was sad that King Saul had disobeyed God so flagrantly. King Saul was on his way out. But God told Samuel to go to Bethlehem where he could anoint the new king. Samuel met seven of Jesse's sons, and the Lord told him each time - "No - not this one." God doesn't look at the outer appearance, but he looks at the heart. Samuel said to Jesse, "Do you have any more sons?" The youngest one was out in the field with the sheep!

King Saul's son was excited about fighting the Philistines. He and his armor bearer went up the side of a hill to challenge their fort. Jonathan had a plan. If the Philistines said, "Come on up!" then that would be a sign from God that God would deliver the Philistines into Israel's hand. Sure enough Jonathan and his helper were invited to approach, and they killed 20 enemy soldiers. God's power helped shake things up, and Israel won the battle. But Saul had issued a command not to eat anything, and Jonathan had eaten a little bit of honey. Would Jonathan have to die for his disobedience? 

Samuel warns the people that asking for a human king is a mistake. God sends rain and thunder to show them they should listen to Samuel. Everyone needs to respect what God says, even King Saul. If they don't do what God says there will be trouble. Saul has an army of 2,000 men. His son Jonathan battles the Philistines with 1,000 men. When the Philistines hear about it, they get ready to fight with over 26,000 warriors! Saul is waiting in Gilgal for Samuel to come and offer the burnt offering, but the people are getting scared and leaving Saul! Saul makes excuses to himself, and goes ahead with the burnt offering without Samuel. What will Samuel say when he comes?

The people of Israel told Samuel they wanted to have a king like the nations that lived around them. Samuel warned them what it would be like to have a king, but they wanted one anyway. The Lord sent Saul to meet Samuel, and Samuel annointed him with oil. Then Saul ran into a group of worshipers, Saul, too, fell under the power of the Holy Spirit. God gave him a new heart.  There was no one like him, the handsomest man in Israel and the tallest. The people shouted, "Long live the king!"  

Hannah brings Samuel to the temple to help Eli, the priest. When he grows older, he hears a voice calling his name. He thinks it's Eli, but Eli sends him back to bed. After the third time of asking Eli if it was him, Eli realizes that it's the Lord calling Samuel. Eli tells him to stay in bed and tell the Lord he is listening. The Lord gives Samuel a message about Eli. God tells Samuel what he's going to do. When Eli hears it, he realizes that God is right.  

In 1 Samuel chapeter 1, Elkanah offers a sacrifice to the Lord. He passes the meat from the sacrifice to his wife, Peninnah and her children, and to his beloved wife Hannah, who has no chidren. Hannah felt bad that she had no children, and Peninnah made her feel even worse, year after year. Elkanah tried to cheer her up and told her he loved her more than 10 sons would. Hannah ate then, and pulled herself together to go pray. She promised God that if he would give her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord. Eli, the priest, saw her praying and thought she had been drinking. But when she explained that she had been praying, Eli put his prayer in agreement with hers. Hannah believed God had heard her. Would he answer her prayer? 

Naomi thinks of a way that Ruth can have a better life than just picking up leftover grain. If Boaz agrees to buy her land, then he will get Ruth as a wife, too.  Ruth washes up, puts on perfume, and wears her best clothes. Naomi sends Ruth to surprise Boaz in the middle of the night. He is surprised! 

When Naomi and Ruth get back to Bethlehem, the barley harvest has just begun. Ruth offers to pick up the leftover barley in the field, so she and Naomi will have something to eat. The field belongs to Boaz. When he sees Ruth, he is kind to her. He gives her some lunch, and tells her to stay in his field, so she can be safe and comfortable.  She shares the good news with Naomi, who is glad to know Ruth has met a man who is a close relative. Naomi wants a happy ending for Ruth. What is Naomi's secret plan? 

Naomi's family moves to Moab when there is a food shortage. Sadly, her husband dies. Her two sons get married in Moab, but then they die, too, leaving Naomi, and her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. When the news comes that there's food again in Israel, Naomi and the women set off for Bethlehem. But Naomi tells Orpah and Ruth to go back to their families so they can get married again. Ruth, however, refuses to leave her. Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem, with Naomi feeling very bitter about what has happened.  But God sees things differently. Wait until next time to find out what God is up to!