DVD Individual Messages

Defeated by the Philistines, Israel’s army brought the ark of the covenant to Shiloh to assure victory in the next battle—and were soundly beaten again! Their mistake? Failing to recognize their first defeat as punishment for disobedience, they forsook repentance and superstitiously trusted in the ark rather than in the living God. Such misplaced faith ... Continue Reading 

After years of spiritual famine when the word of the Lord was rare and visions infrequent, God broke into the silence through the calling of Samuel. With tender persistence, the Lord called until Samuel recognized His voice. His first assignment? To deliver devastating news to Eli about the coming judgment of the priest’s household. In the ... Continue Reading 

Because Eli’s sons had rejected God’s sacrifice as the basis for forgiveness, the Lord declared judgment against Eli’s house. Acting as God’s prophet, Samuel presented His message to Eli, experiencing for the first time the immense challenge of conveying God’s word—especially the truth of coming wrath. As Alistair Begg explains, though ... Continue Reading 

Shiloh was the scene of extreme corruption when Hannah left her consecrated son at the temple to serve the Lord as she’d promised. In sharp contrast to Eli’s sons, who incurred God’s wrath for their defiant contempt and immorality, the boy Samuel stood out as a ray of light, growing in favor with God ... Continue Reading 

Like the lost described in Romans 1, Hophni and Phinehas were given up by God to the lusts of their hearts. Even in the darkness of their sin, though, a light shone through a man bearing God’s word. He announced the judgment looming over Eli’s house for spurning God’s mercy and assured a prospect ... Continue Reading 

After Samuel’s dedication, Hannah praised God for hearing her prayers and remembering her affliction. The joy expressed by her words, Alistair Begg explains, was rooted not in her circumstances alone, but in what God had done, was doing, and was going to do for His people. Her hope rested in the certainty that God guards the ... Continue Reading 

After years of backsliding, Israel was a spiritually fruitless nation—and, as Alistair Begg explains, Hannah’s barren condition mirrored her people’s predicament. When the Lord granted Hannah a son, then, He answered more than a mother’s prayers: Samuel’s arrival fulfilled God’s covenant promise to establish His Word by providing leadership for Israel ... Continue Reading 

In times of prolonged suffering, we can easily grow bitter and resentful toward God and others. Unable to conceive year after year, Elkanah’s wife Hannah was familiar with sorrow. This woman of faith did not hide or minimize her pain, though; rather, she brought her affliction before God in prayer. Alistair Begg explains that when we ... Continue Reading 

Everyone experiences disappointment or sadness to some degree. In Psalm 13, David demonstrated what it means to trust God in tough times. Feeling forgotten, forsaken, sorrowful, and subdued, David cried out for God’s consideration and illumination. As he prayed, his perspective changed, and he was able to rejoice—even though his circumstances remained the same. Alistair ... Continue Reading 

As we launch a new study of 1 Samuel, we remember that although the book’s narrative took place thousands of years ago, it is included in the Bible for our instruction and encouragement. Beginning with barren, brokenhearted Hannah, this story introduces us to ordinary people with real aspirations, fears, and failures who are helpless and hopeless ... Continue Reading