Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Samuel 1:3 - Samuel’s Call to Prophecy

We read of Samuel's first prophecy, his humility and how his prophecy began to spread truth among Israel.  The downfall of the house of Eli is now inevitable.

Samuel 1:2c - When a Religious Leader Abuses His Power

We read of the downfall of Eli's family due to corruption and abuse.  The abuse of power leads to the necessity of another source of power, the political power of the King. The religious leadership of Eli's family has utterly failed.

Samuel 1:2b - The Despicable Behavior of Eli’s Son’s

We read of the despicable abuse of the young priests of the pilgrims to Shiloh, and the growth of the young man Samuel as he learned the ways of God.

Samuel 1:2a - Hannah’s Song

We read the beautiful song of Hannah which she sang upon bringing her young som Samuel to the Tabernacle.

Samuel 1:1 - Childless in Ramah

We read the story of Hannah, the childless wife of Elkanah.  She is tormented by her co-wife Peninah, and she presents herself at the tabernacle to pray.  God hears her prayer, and she devotes her son Samuel to a life of holiness.

Judges 21 - Finding Wives for the Surviving Benjaminites

The Book of Judges concludes with another example of the skewed sense of justice and unity among the people of Israel. Somehow, the tragedy of the loss of the tribe of Benjamin sets in, but the people "solve" the problem by slaughtering another town and having the Bejaminites steal women as wives.

Judges 20b - The Tribe of Benjamin is Defeated

The civil war rages on, and the people of Israel deploy an old strategy of feigned retreat.  This exposes the Benjaminites to an attack from the rear, and eventually utter defeat.

Judges 20a - Civil War Breaks Out Again

The people of Israel gather to attack Benjamin to avenge the death of the concubine at the hands of the people of Givon.

Judges 19 - Benjamin Sinks to the Level of Sodom

We read the horrific episode of the Concubine of Givah, and get a sense of the terrible moral decline of the people of Israel.

Judges 18 - Mass Murder and the Idol of Micah

We read the very unfortunate tale of the Danites and how the idol of Micah led to the destruction of a peaceful town.