Jephthah led Israel for six years; then he died and was buried in his city in Gilead.

Manoah’s wife gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The child grew and the Lord empowered him.

So the Levite agreed to stay with the man; the young man was like a son to Micah.

Micah paid the Levite; the young man became his priest and lived in Micah’s house.

They turned and went on their way, but they walked behind the children, the cattle, and their possessions.

They surrounded the Benjaminites, chased them from Nohah, and annihilated them all the way to a spot east of Geba.

Eighteen thousand Benjaminites, all of them capable warriors, fell dead.

So she gathered grain in the field until evening. When she threshed what she had gathered, it came to about thirty pounds of barley!

Naomi took the child and placed him on her lap; she became his caregiver.

But he would give a double portion to Hannah, because he especially loved her. Now the Lord had not enabled her to have children.

As she continued praying to the Lord, Eli was watching her mouth.

So he said to her, “How often do you intend to get drunk? Put away your wine!”

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.