Send us Fan MailThe Books of Samuel begin not with a throne, but with a barren woman praying. In this Week 1 study, we explore 1 Samuel 1–15 and the rise of Samuel, the corruption of Eli’s priesthood, the Ark narrative, Israel’s demand for a king, and Saul’s tragic collapse.This session examines:* Hannah’s theology of reversal* The return of prophetic authority* Why Israel wanted a king “like the nations”* Saul’s rise and failure* Covenant obedience vs outward religion* Ancient Near Eastern kingship background* Hebrew word studies including Mashiach, Hesed, and Shama* How Samuel points forward to Jesus as the true KingSamuel is not merely political history. It is a theological warning about power, covenant loyalty, pride, and human kingship apart from God.This teaching integrates:* Hebrew language insights* Historical context* Literary structure* Scholarly analysis* Christ-centered interpretation* Connections between Old and New Testament themesKey Texts:* 1 Samuel 1–15* Hannah’s Song* Saul’s rejection* “Obedience is better than sacrifice”Walk the Way — Modern Mind, Ancient Book.#Samuel #BibleStudy #1Samuel #OldTestament #Jesus #HebrewBible #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalHistory #AncientIsrael #Faith⸻Open-access or university-based starting points:* Yale University    Hebrew Bible lectures (Christine Hayes)* Harvard University    Hebrew Bible resources* University of Notre Dame    Samuel and Deuteronomistic History materials* Princeton Theological Seminary* The Southern Baptist Theological SeminaryRecommended scholarly commentaries:* McCarter — Anchor Yale Samuel* Alter — The David Story* Brueggemann — First and Second Samuel* Bergen — NAC Samuel* Gordon — Word Biblical Commentary