“Do what seems best to you,” her husband Elkanah told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the Lord make good his word.” So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

The Lord Calls Samuel

The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.

The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

And Samuel’s word came to all Israel.

The Philistines Capture the Ark

Now the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites camped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines at Aphek.

Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king.

When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger.

As surely as the Lord who rescues Israel lives, even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan, he must die.” But not one of them said a word.

Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel:

For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”

But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!”

Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.”

Word came to Saul: “David is in Naioth at Ramah”;

Then Jonathan said to David, “I swear by the Lord, the God of Israel, that I will surely sound out my father by this time the day after tomorrow! If he is favorably disposed toward you, will I not send you word and let you know?

David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath.

With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

David’s men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported every word.

Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request.”

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife.

Now let my lord the king listen to his servant’s words. If the Lord has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, people have done it, may they be cursed before the Lord! They have driven me today from my share in the Lord’s inheritance and have said, ‘Go, serve other gods.’

Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.