It is a dark day for Israel – they are defeated twice in battle against the Philistines, the Ark of the Covenant is captured, and roughly 34000 Israelites perish including Eli and his two sons. “And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, ‘Why has the Lord defeated us today…
Author: Conqueror in Training
1 Samuel 3
This chapter details God calling Samuel to be His prophet. We’re not told exactly how old Samuel is at this point, though the text indicates he is still growing, so he is likely under 18. “Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, ‘Here I am!’ and ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am,…
1 Samuel 2
This chapter is filled with many details regarding Hannah, Samuel, Eli (the current high priest of the temple), and Eli’s family. There is too much going on to cover it all. I highly recommend you read v1-11 yourself, which contains Hannah’s prayer at the time she dedicated Samuel. “And there came a man of God…
1 Samuel 1
This chapter details the the events leading up to the birth of Samuel. “There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah… He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had…
1 Chronicles 2
This chapter continues the genealogy from Israel (Jacob) through David. “These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah; these three Bath-shua the Canaanite bore to him. Now Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the sight of…
1 Chronicles 1
Today we will begin something a little different – there is so much overlap between Samuel, Kings and Chronicles, that we’ll attempt to follow them in parallel. What I mean is, read a passage in one book (eg. Samuel) then the corresponding passage in another book (eg. Chronicles). This chapter recaps the genealogy of Adam…
Ruth 4
In this chapter Boaz converses with the kinsman-redeemer who has first claim on Ruth (and the other property of Naomi’s family). Boaz offers everything to this man who has first right, because it was the right thing to do culturally and morally (this man is a closer relative than Boaz). “…the redeemer… came by. So…
Ruth 3
This chapter is far too rich in culture and nuance to cover everything in detail, so I’ll attempt to summarize some key points. “So [Ruth] went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to…
Ruth 2
Ruth goes out to gather grain for her and Naomi. They are quite poor, so she gets permission to glean (pick up the grain missed / dropped by the reapers). One of the fields she goes through is owned by a relative of Naomi’s late husband – Boaz – and he takes notice of her….
Ruth 1
Here we find the backstory of Naomi – a woman from Bethlehem (in Judah) who travels with her husband and two sons to Moab (a neighboring, non-Hebrew nation). Her sons marry two Moabite women, one being Ruth. Unfortunately, her husband and sons both die, so Naomi moves back to Bethlehem, and Ruth insists on coming…