1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,240 Speaker 1: Let us pray. Wherefore the Lord God of Israel, Saith 2 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: I said, indeed that thy house and the house of 3 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:13,920 Speaker 1: thy father should walk before me forever. But now the 4 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 1: Lord Saith, be it far from me. For them that 5 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:21,599 Speaker 1: honor me, I will honor, and they that despise me 6 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 1: shall be lightly esteemed. First Samuel two twenty, Lord, I 7 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:32,839 Speaker 1: know that you are not taken back by bold prayers, 8 00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:36,760 Speaker 1: So like Hannah, I will not be ashamed to lay 9 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: before you and make my request known. Thank you Jesus 10 00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 1: that because of your sacrifice, I can come boldly before 11 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:49,000 Speaker 1: the Lord in prayer and make the desires of my 12 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:53,640 Speaker 1: heart known to him. As a child of God living 13 00:00:53,640 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 1: in alignment with my assignment, I thank you in advance 14 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 1: for moving and working on my behalf to bring my 15 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:06,240 Speaker 1: purpose into focus. In the same way Hannah dedicated Samuel 16 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:10,560 Speaker 1: to do your work, I also dedicate and devote my gifts, 17 00:01:10,959 --> 00:01:16,840 Speaker 1: my promotions, and all opportunities to you, because my focus 18 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:21,640 Speaker 1: is to bring you glory. Therefore, I will listen when 19 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:25,839 Speaker 1: you call me. Like Samuel, I will say speak, Lord, 20 00:01:26,240 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 1: for your servant is listening, because I know that one 21 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 1: word from you is worth a thousand elsewhere I declare 22 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 1: that I am chosen and that I am set apart. 23 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 1: I will live differently, speak differently, think differently, and believe 24 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 1: differently because I've been called to do great things. The 25 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 1: days of me playing small so others don't get uncomfortable 26 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 1: are done. You've placed me where I am, and I 27 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 1: am ready to receive my mind calling. I am your servant, 28 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:08,839 Speaker 1: Speak Lord, I'm ready in Jesus' name. 29 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:10,520 Speaker 2: Amen. 30 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:15,119 Speaker 1: Thank you for making prayer a priority in your day. 31 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:19,360 Speaker 1: To learn more about the Bible, stay tuned for today's story, 32 00:02:19,919 --> 00:02:30,520 Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a year dot com, 33 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:32,080 Speaker 1: The Rise of Samuel. 34 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 3: In our last story, we learned about the romance of 35 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:41,639 Speaker 3: Ruth and a kinsman redeemer, Boaz. Boaz redeemed Ruth from 36 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:45,240 Speaker 3: her poverty and loneliness, and the two were married. They 37 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:48,600 Speaker 3: had a child named Obed, who would be the grandfather 38 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 3: of one of Israel's greatest kings. Now we begin a 39 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:57,120 Speaker 3: new adventure with Samuel, a prophet, judge, and ruler over Israel. 40 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 3: He would pave the way for a new era in Israel, 41 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:06,160 Speaker 3: the era of Kings, inspired by the Book of First Samuel. 42 00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 2: Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham. With today's episode of the 43 00:03:12,639 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 2: Bible in a Year podcast. In yesterday's episode, we heard 44 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:19,840 Speaker 2: the story of how Boaz and Ruth married and had 45 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:23,640 Speaker 2: a son named Obd. Obd would be the grandfather of 46 00:03:23,720 --> 00:03:27,239 Speaker 2: Israel's greatest king, David. It was the dawn of a 47 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 2: new era in the history of God's people, the age 48 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,320 Speaker 2: of the Kings, and today we'll hear how this new 49 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 2: era began with a child born to a woman named Hannah. 50 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 2: This child, named Samuel, would be promised to God's service 51 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 2: by his mother, Hannah, who had prayed and longed for 52 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:46,640 Speaker 2: him many years. Samuel would grow to be a great 53 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:49,400 Speaker 2: prophet and judge, but first he would serve in the 54 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:53,360 Speaker 2: temple and receive a very special calling from God. Let's 55 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:54,760 Speaker 2: listen to today's reading. 56 00:03:56,560 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 3: The country of Israel lived in captivity to their own idolatry. 57 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:03,760 Speaker 3: After the Civil War of Benjamin and Israel, the people 58 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:07,080 Speaker 3: retreated back into their old ways of idle worship and 59 00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 3: living selfishly. During this time, there were a few remaining 60 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:14,200 Speaker 3: faithful who continued to devote their lives to the Lord, 61 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 3: seeking him in all their ways. One of those people 62 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 3: was a man in the hill country of Ephraim El Cana. 63 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 3: Al Cana had two wives, since one of his wives, Hannah, 64 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 3: was unable to have children. His other wife, Fanigna, had 65 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:35,640 Speaker 3: many children, but el Cana loved Hannah more. Panina lived 66 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 3: without the undivided love of her husband and spited Hannah 67 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 3: because of it. She tormented and teased Hannah endlessly, just 68 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:48,159 Speaker 3: as Jacob's wives Rachel and Leah. The two women hated 69 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:52,240 Speaker 3: one another because of their husband's lack of sins. Year 70 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:56,279 Speaker 3: by year, Hannah would endure the relentless provocation from Panina. 71 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:59,880 Speaker 3: Hannah would often approach the altar of God to pray. 72 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 3: Day after day, she would enter into the house of 73 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:05,920 Speaker 3: the Lord and beg him for a child. One day, 74 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 3: she lay on the floor of the temple and wept bitterly. 75 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:12,880 Speaker 3: Her tears fell upon the altar, and her indiscernible prayers 76 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:16,479 Speaker 3: echoed through the empty chamber. Hannah lifted her eyes to 77 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 3: heaven and prayed, Lord of Hosts, Maker of Heaven and Earth, 78 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 3: please look at my pain and have pity on me. 79 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:27,159 Speaker 3: If you give me a son, I promise to give 80 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:29,479 Speaker 3: him to you as a servant for the rest of 81 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:34,159 Speaker 3: his life. As Hannah continued to pray, Eli the priest 82 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:38,039 Speaker 3: of the temple watched her. Hannah was speaking so deeply 83 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 3: and from her heart that it almost seemed as though 84 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 3: she was drunk. Eli, an already grumpy old man, scoffed 85 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 3: at her and said, how long will you lay there drunk? 86 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 3: Hannah turned round. Startled by Eli's voice, she wiped her 87 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:56,920 Speaker 3: face and stood up. Oh no, my Lord, I am 88 00:05:56,960 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 3: simply a woman with a troubled spirit. I was bearing 89 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 3: my soul before God. She spoke softly, embarrassed at Eli's comments. 90 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:08,479 Speaker 3: Please do not see me as a worthless woman. I 91 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 3: just pray with great anxiety. Eli saw that she was 92 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 3: truly distraught. He sighed and then gave a quick smile. 93 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:20,160 Speaker 3: Go in peace, He said, God will answer, I am 94 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:23,760 Speaker 3: sure of it. Then Eli departed to leave Hannah to 95 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:27,960 Speaker 3: her prayers. Hannah smiled and returned to her husband to eat. 96 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 3: They worshiped God more in the House of God and 97 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 3: returned home. Time passed, and Paniona's pestering lost all its sting, 98 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 3: for Hannah had conceived a son and named him Samuel. 99 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:46,599 Speaker 3: The Lord had answered her prayers. Hannah remembered her prayer 100 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:49,159 Speaker 3: to God. She swore to God that if she was 101 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:52,280 Speaker 3: given a son, she would offer him up into his surface. 102 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:56,200 Speaker 3: When Samuel was old enough, she brought him to Eli. 103 00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:00,159 Speaker 3: Hannah held her child, trusting that God would be faith 104 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:04,200 Speaker 3: to do great things. Because of her faithfulness, her heart broke, 105 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:07,479 Speaker 3: just as abrahams once did when he brought Isaac to 106 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:12,360 Speaker 3: the altar. Sir Samuel studied and served under Eli. He 107 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:15,440 Speaker 3: grew to be strong, wise, and attentive to the voice 108 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:19,520 Speaker 3: of God's spirit. Samuel became like a son to Eli, 109 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:22,320 Speaker 3: which was fitting since his sons grew up to be 110 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 3: wicked and worthless men. They would steal from the offerings 111 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:29,040 Speaker 3: given to God and treat his altar like their own 112 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 3: personal feeding troth. The two men used their influence to 113 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:37,400 Speaker 3: seduce women who desired to serve God. They took advantage 114 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:40,400 Speaker 3: of the people and treated God's children as objects for 115 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 3: their own pleasure. Eli was an old man and unable 116 00:07:44,880 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 3: to keep his sons from sinning. Eli tried reasoning with them, saying, 117 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:52,520 Speaker 3: if you sin against man, there may be some one 118 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 3: to prey on your behalf for forgiveness. But you are 119 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 3: sinning against God, and there may be no one to 120 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:03,240 Speaker 3: help you. Naturally, the men refused to listen and continued 121 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:06,679 Speaker 3: to sin against God and his children. God was about 122 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 3: to do a new work in Israel, a work of 123 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 3: great justice, peace, and deliverance. He would not tolerate the 124 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:17,800 Speaker 3: priestly family to continue in such sin and selfishness. God's 125 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:21,920 Speaker 3: rage is not unpredictable or uncalled for. His anger is 126 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 3: precise and always pointed towards those who would hurt his 127 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:30,400 Speaker 3: people and scorn his name. Therefore God's rage burst like 128 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:34,480 Speaker 3: a mighty wildfire against the sons of Eli. He spoke 129 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:37,880 Speaker 3: in an ancient fury. The voice of a righteous king 130 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:41,520 Speaker 3: bellowed in Eli's ear as he spoke, saying, did I 131 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 3: reveal myself to your forefathers in Egypt? All to have 132 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:50,440 Speaker 3: you scorn my offering table? Your sons fatten themselves with 133 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:54,560 Speaker 3: the worship of my people. They abuse and neglect, and 134 00:08:54,679 --> 00:09:00,439 Speaker 3: you have allowed it. Eli began to tremble as God spoke, Hold, 135 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 3: the days are coming where your sons will be cast 136 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:07,720 Speaker 3: out into darkness. They shall behold the prosperity of my 137 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:10,959 Speaker 3: people and look upon them with envy. They shall both 138 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 3: die on the same day, and I shall raise up 139 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:16,920 Speaker 3: a priest of my own who shall be unified with 140 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:20,920 Speaker 3: my heart. And mind, and your son's lines shall beg 141 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:25,360 Speaker 3: for bread. Years had passed, and the boy Samuel was 142 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:29,040 Speaker 3: ministering to the Lord of Eli. He served Eli in 143 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:32,320 Speaker 3: his old age. He would tend to him, feed him, 144 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 3: and perform the duties of a priest on his behalf. 145 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:39,240 Speaker 3: Samuel was attentive and eager to help God's people draw 146 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 3: closer to him. One night, Samuel was lying down in 147 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:46,040 Speaker 3: the Temple of God, where the ark of the Covenant lay. 148 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 3: The candles and the temple flickered and made shadows dance 149 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:52,880 Speaker 3: around the walls. There was a slight breeze coming in 150 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:56,000 Speaker 3: through the back, and Samuel slept in the coolness of night. 151 00:09:56,320 --> 00:10:00,080 Speaker 3: Then a faint whisper grazed the ear of Samuel. He 152 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:03,720 Speaker 3: opened his eyes and walked towards Eli's chamber and said, here, 153 00:10:03,760 --> 00:10:07,680 Speaker 3: I am Eli. You called for me. Eli woke up 154 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:10,800 Speaker 3: from his sleep and said, you must be dreaming. I 155 00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:14,520 Speaker 3: did not call for you. Go back to sleep. So 156 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:17,640 Speaker 3: Samuel went back into the floor of the temple to rest. 157 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:20,840 Speaker 3: As he began to drift, he heard that still and 158 00:10:20,960 --> 00:10:27,200 Speaker 3: quiet voice once again, Samuel. The voice whispered intensely. Samuel 159 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:30,120 Speaker 3: jolted awake. This time, running to the bedside of Eli. 160 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 3: Here I am Eli, he shouted. Eli shook in his bed, 161 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 3: surprised and annoyed that he had been waking up again. 162 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:40,040 Speaker 3: He did not call him and shoot Samuel out of 163 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:44,000 Speaker 3: his room again. As Samuel was falling asleep, a voice 164 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:47,040 Speaker 3: beckoned him. When he went to the bedside of Eli again. 165 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:50,960 Speaker 3: Eli perceived it might be from the Lord. Eli waved 166 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:54,080 Speaker 3: for Samuel to come closer. He held his hand and 167 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 3: spoke gently, saying, Samuel, if you hear the voice again, 168 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:01,200 Speaker 3: do not come running to me, ask for it to 169 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:06,200 Speaker 3: speak again, and listen carefully. Samuel left Eli and knelt 170 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:09,160 Speaker 3: down at the altar of God. He closed his eyes, 171 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:15,640 Speaker 3: intent on listening. Samuel, Samuel, the voice said again. Samuel 172 00:11:15,720 --> 00:11:19,760 Speaker 3: remained still. Small drops of sweat began to form around 173 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:22,760 Speaker 3: his forehead. He knew now that it was the Lord 174 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 3: who beckoned him. Samuel gulped and said, here, I am Lord, 175 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 3: your servant. Hears pleased. God spoke with Samuel. Their conversation 176 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 3: reflected dimly the time God visited Moses in fire. God 177 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:42,160 Speaker 3: spoke with clarity, strength and love for his people. Behold, 178 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:45,880 Speaker 3: I am making things new in Israel. Every one who 179 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 3: hears will quiver as I eradicate the sons of Eli 180 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:54,200 Speaker 3: to establish my new priesthood. The next morning, Eli inquired 181 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:57,760 Speaker 3: of what Samuel heard from God. Samuel was not sure 182 00:11:57,800 --> 00:12:00,720 Speaker 3: whether he should divulge everything to Eli, for it meant 183 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:05,440 Speaker 3: grave news for his sons. Over breakfast, Samuel told Eli 184 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:10,840 Speaker 3: of his experience. Somber, thoughtful and content, Eli spoke and said, 185 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:15,520 Speaker 3: if it is the Lord's will, so be it. After this, 186 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:19,120 Speaker 3: Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him in everything 187 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:23,120 Speaker 3: he did. The favor of Joseph was upon him. Every 188 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:27,439 Speaker 3: word Samuel spoke uplifted the people, and no exhortation fell 189 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:31,560 Speaker 3: on deaf ears. Every tribe of Israel recognized Samuel as 190 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 3: their prophet and priest. It would be Samuel who would 191 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:38,880 Speaker 3: endure the complaints of Israel as Moses once did. He 192 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:41,840 Speaker 3: would lead them well, and soon he would pave the 193 00:12:41,880 --> 00:12:47,120 Speaker 3: way for a new era in Israel, the era of Kings. 194 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 2: Today's story begins with a man named Elkanah who lived 195 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 2: in Ephraim. He was one of the few who remained 196 00:12:56,160 --> 00:12:59,640 Speaker 2: faithful to God in those days. But though he was faithful, 197 00:12:59,640 --> 00:13:04,040 Speaker 2: he was also flawed because he had two wives Hannah 198 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:08,800 Speaker 2: and Penana, his wives, were bitter rivals, just like Leah 199 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:13,520 Speaker 2: and Rachel. You see, though Penana had given him many children, 200 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 2: Elkanah loved Hannah Moore. Hannah, however, was unable to conceive, 201 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:23,360 Speaker 2: and Pennanah held this over Hannah's head ruthlessly, tormenting her. 202 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:28,120 Speaker 2: Every year, when Alkanah went to offer sacrifices to God 203 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:31,280 Speaker 2: in the temple at Shiloh, Hannah would plead to God 204 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:36,920 Speaker 2: for a son. This continued year after year. Finally, one day, 205 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:39,120 Speaker 2: as she prayed, she promised God that if he had 206 00:13:39,200 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 2: give her a son, she would give that son back 207 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 2: to God to serve him all his life. When Eli, 208 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:48,280 Speaker 2: the temple priest, saw her praying, her lips moving without 209 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:50,920 Speaker 2: making a sound as she spoke to God, he thought 210 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 2: she was drunk. Listened to her response in First Samuel 211 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:58,960 Speaker 2: one point fifteen, Hannah answered, no, my Lord, I am 212 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 2: a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine 213 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:05,520 Speaker 2: nor strong drink, but I've been pouring out my soul 214 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 2: before the Lord. We should always remember when we are troubled, 215 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:13,280 Speaker 2: when we are in turmoil, when we are in anguish 216 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:16,160 Speaker 2: and desperate, there is no better place to pour out 217 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 2: our hearts, our souls than to God. God hears our 218 00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 2: prayers and cares for us, just as he did for Hannah. 219 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:26,440 Speaker 2: Hearing this response, Eli told her to go in peace 220 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:31,200 Speaker 2: that God would answer her request. So Hannah became pregnant 221 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:35,400 Speaker 2: with a son. She was overjoyed, but Hannah also knew 222 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 2: that her son would not stay with her because she 223 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:40,280 Speaker 2: had promised to God that she would give him back 224 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:43,760 Speaker 2: to him true to her word. When Samuel was winged, 225 00:14:43,800 --> 00:14:45,640 Speaker 2: she took him to Eli to be raised in the 226 00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:49,880 Speaker 2: service of God. And because of her great faithfulness, God 227 00:14:49,920 --> 00:14:53,120 Speaker 2: blessed Hannah even more, giving her three more sons than 228 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 2: two daughters. It's absolutely true, isn't it that you can 229 00:14:57,240 --> 00:15:02,320 Speaker 2: never outgive God. So Eli raised Samuel like a son, 230 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 2: and that's a very good thing. Because his own sons, 231 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 2: we find out, were up to no good. They served themselves, 232 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 2: not God, under the guise of their own priesthood. It 233 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:15,920 Speaker 2: was a terrible affront to Almighty God, and he would 234 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 2: not allow this to continue. But despite warnings, they would 235 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 2: not stop. So God told Eli that his sons would 236 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:26,960 Speaker 2: be cast out, and rather than work through Eli's worthless offspring, 237 00:15:27,280 --> 00:15:30,000 Speaker 2: God would raise up another priest, one who would serve 238 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:34,240 Speaker 2: him with integrity and devotion. One night, as he was sleeping, 239 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 2: Samuel heard a voice calling, but it was not Eli. 240 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:40,840 Speaker 2: Two more times, he thought Eli was calling him and 241 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 2: ran to Eli's room. Eli then understood what was going 242 00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 2: on and told Samuel to ask the voice to speak 243 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:52,800 Speaker 2: next time, and then to listen. Samuel heard the voice again, 244 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:56,240 Speaker 2: and this time he did listen. God told Samuel he 245 00:15:56,360 --> 00:15:58,480 Speaker 2: was about to make things new in Israel, and that 246 00:15:58,600 --> 00:16:01,160 Speaker 2: Eli's line would be wiped doubt to make way for 247 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:05,200 Speaker 2: a new priesthood. When Eli heard the news, he submitted 248 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:08,240 Speaker 2: to God's will, trusting in the grace and the goodness 249 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:13,120 Speaker 2: of God. Even in this Samuel would be this next priest, 250 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:16,880 Speaker 2: one like Israel had never known before. He would help 251 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 2: Usher in the time of kings. But first Israel would 252 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:22,920 Speaker 2: be visited by an old enemy. And we'll hear that 253 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 2: story the next time. Dear Lord, we thank you that 254 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:31,480 Speaker 2: you always hear our prayers. We thank you that you 255 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 2: speak to us even as we listen to you. So 256 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:40,080 Speaker 2: today we say speak, Lord, for your servant is listening, 257 00:16:40,560 --> 00:16:44,400 Speaker 2: just like Samuel of old, Just like Samuel so long ago, 258 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:48,760 Speaker 2: we submit our lives to do your will. Speak, Lord, 259 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 2: we are listening in Jesus's name. Amen. Thank you for 260 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:57,360 Speaker 2: listening to today's Bible of a Year podcast. I'm Jack 261 00:16:57,400 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 2: Graham of Dallas, Texas, and you can download the pray 262 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:04,160 Speaker 2: dot com app and make prayer the priority of your life. 263 00:17:04,200 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 2: It is our prayer that you would know Jesus Christ 264 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:11,159 Speaker 2: in a personal way. Jesus and knowing him is the 265 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:15,439 Speaker 2: key to understanding the Bible. Jesus is on every page 266 00:17:16,080 --> 00:17:19,240 Speaker 2: in the pathway of Scripture, so I pray that you 267 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:21,680 Speaker 2: would know him and look to Him for eternal life. 268 00:17:22,320 --> 00:17:24,520 Speaker 2: As we see all of these stories, some of them 269 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:28,480 Speaker 2: very sordid, we realize just how desperately we all need 270 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 2: the Lord. So invite Christ into your life and receive 271 00:17:32,359 --> 00:17:35,920 Speaker 2: Him as your Lord and savior. I would also encourage 272 00:17:35,960 --> 00:17:38,720 Speaker 2: you to download the pray dot com app and let 273 00:17:38,720 --> 00:17:42,040 Speaker 2: others know about this podcast. And if you want more 274 00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:46,240 Speaker 2: resources on how to know God and experience his presence 275 00:17:46,280 --> 00:17:50,120 Speaker 2: in your life, be sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. 276 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 2: God bless you.