Eli replied, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the request that you have asked of him.”

The ark of God was taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas, were killed.

“When these signs have taken place, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God will be with you.

As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed his inmost person. All these signs happened on that very day.

Even Saul went to his home in Gibeah. With him went some brave men whose hearts God had touched.

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

Then Saul’s servants said to him, “Look, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you!”

The Lord is alive! My protector is praiseworthy! The God who delivers me is exalted as king!

But now the Lord my God has made me secure on all fronts; there is no adversary or dangerous threat.

Now my father David had a strong desire to build a temple to honor the Lord God of Israel.

Now, O God of Israel, may the promise you made to your servant, my father David, be realized.

Everyone in the world wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.

He built high places for all his foreign wives so they could burn incense and make sacrifices to their gods.

He worshiped and bowed down to Baal, angering the Lord God of Israel just as his father had done.

Judah also failed to keep the commandments of the Lord their God; they followed Israel’s example.

You must never forget the agreement I made with you, and you must not worship other gods.

Instead you must worship the Lord your God; then he will rescue you from the power of all your enemies.”

Have any of the gods of the nations actually rescued his land from the power of the king of Assyria?

He abandoned the Lord God of his ancestors and did not follow the Lord’s instructions.

They placed his armor in the temple of their gods and hung his head in the temple of Dagon.