This man Elkanah went up with all his family to make the yearly sacrifice to the Lord and to keep his vow,

I prayed for this boy, and the Lord has given me the request that I asked of him.

Now Samuel was ministering before the Lord. The boy was dressed in a linen ephod.

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

However, Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son!” He replied, “Here I am.”

Now the Philistines had captured the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.

Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord on your behalf.”

In his old age Samuel appointed his sons as judges over Israel.

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

We will be like all the other nations. Our king will judge us and lead us and fight our battles.”

So Samuel listened to everything the people said and then reported it to the Lord.

Now the day before Saul arrived, the Lord had told Samuel:

Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by lot.

The Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and he became very angry.

“So now, take your positions and watch this great thing that the Lord is about to do in your sight.

Then Saul struck down the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, which is next to Egypt.

He captured King Agag of the Amalekites alive, but he executed all Agag’s people with the sword.

Now please forgive my sin! Go back with me so I can worship the Lord.”

When they arrived, Samuel noticed Eliab and said to himself, “Surely, here before the Lord stands his chosen king!”

When Saul and all the Israelites heard these words of the Philistine, they were upset and very afraid.