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In chapter 1 of the Book of 1 Samuel, we meet Hannah.  At this point in her life, her husband is not enough to bring her joy. She is overwhelmed by her barrenness and prays to God in her distress. We see God provide Hannah with a blessing in the form of a son, whom she names Samuel. What Samuel becomes to Israel is where our story gets more interesting! Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineFeasts and Festivals ChartContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website form Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

In chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of 1 Samuel, the story transitions from Hannah and the birth of her son Samuel who will be the future prophet and priest, to Eli, the current high priest. The story of Eli's wicked family is a sad contrast to Samuel's faithful family. Hophni and Phinehas are not qualified to lead the people. But God has provided one last judge to lead Israel and transition the nation to a king.  Samuel grows into the judge, priest, and prophet God called him to become. Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineFeasts and Festivals ChartContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website form Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

Chapters 4 and 5 of the Book of 1 Samuel, are part of what is called the ark narrative because they tell the story of the Philistine's victory over Israel and their possession of the ark of the covenant.  Samuel is absent from these chapters. The focus is on the failure of Eli and his sons as spiritual leaders.  The loss of the Ark of the Covenant was a visible symbol of Israel’s broken covenant with God.   In chapter 7, Samuel is reintroduced to lead Israel to repentance and deliverance from the Philistines. The first scene in chapter 4 begins with a note from the author that Samuel is doing his job.  He is spreading the word of God; however, what happens next implies that Israel was not listening.  Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website form Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

When we open today in 1 Samuel 6,  the Israelites have lost the ark and are suffering without the presence of God. The Philistines have gained the ark but are suffering with the presence of God! Samuel is nowhere to be seen...yet. Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Path to Good or EvilThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website form Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

 In the first seven chapters of 1 Samuel, we learn the story of Samuel himself. In the following six chapters, we learn of the first King of Israel, Saul.  Israel once again is not satisfied by having the one true God as their king. They want a human ruler and so the search begins...and ends with Saul. Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website form Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

In 1 Samuel 10, 11, and 12, our story has a back-and-forth feel like a game...a chess game. Each team now has a king. Team Israel has a king – Saul. Team God has a king – God and a voice -- Samuel. Let's study the rise of King Saul together. Thank you for being part of the club. BlogBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website form Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

In 1 Samuel 13 and 14,  the Israelites are hopeful that Saul is the answer to the long-awaited promise made in Genesis. While it looks to them that Saul is the king--often called the "second Adam"--he is not. His fall comes fast. Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website form Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

Even though Saul has been told that his descendants will not be king and that God has chosen another man to replace him, that person has not been revealed, and Saul is still the king.  1 Samuel 15 shows the door still open for Saul to redeem himself in some way in whatever days he has left. An opportunity to find favor with the Lord arrives in the form of an order from Samuel to destroy the Amalekites. Can Saul do the right thing?  Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Path to Good or EvilThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website form Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

 In 1 Samuel 16 and 17, the reign of Saul as king of Israel does not end overnight. It was a gradual process; much happened in between, with several lessons for us.  Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Path to Good or EvilThe Old Testament BooksThe New Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website form Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

The story in Ruth begins with Naomi and her family relocating to Moab from Bethlehem due to a famine in Israel, which is ironic given that Bethlehem means "house of bread." Naomi's husband, Elimelek, meaning "my God is king," reflects a connection to the final verse of Judges, stating that in those days, Israel had no king.  Tragedy befalls Naomi, whose name means sweet, in Moab as her husband and sons die, both having married Moabite women in violation of God's laws for Israel. The marriages, lasted ten years without producing children. Naomi, left in personal famine, a childless widow, learns of the end of the famine in Israel and decides to return, marking a turning point. Naomi returns to Israel, empty and bitter. She encourages her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to seek a new beginning with their Moabite families. However, Ruth, displaying unwavering loyalty, chooses to stay with Naomi. This pivotal decision underscores Ruth's unwavering devotion to Naomi and her newfound faith in the God of Israel. Orpah returns to Moab, while Ruth makes a covenant-like pledge to Naomi and the God of Israel. The narrative unfolds in Bethlehem, where Naomi's bitterness lingers. Despite being embraced by God and Israel, Ruth remains identified as "Ruth the Moabite," highlighting her foreign status. The story sets the stage for God's providential intervention in the lives of Naomi and Ruth. Ruth Advent Bonus Episodes:  The Book of Ruth is creatively a Christmas Story because the solution to the Israelite's problem, the need for a king, is announced at the end of the Book of Ruth. So, for season 8, the 4 episodes of Ruth will each have a bonus Advent episode. There is much meaning to the song O Little Town of Bethlehem and it starts here in the Book of Ruth! Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Old Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website form Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

Welcome to the Ruth Advent series! We hope that this amazing story will make Advent come alive for you in a new way.  We recommend you play Ruth 1 Episode 1 first to listen to the chapter and discussion before listening to this Advent Bonus episode. This is the first of four bonus episodes from the Book of Ruth that correspond to the birth of Christ a thousand years before his arrival. The Advent focus in this story is hope, something Naomi desperately needs. The story takes place in that same O Little Town of Bethlehem, where unbeknownst to anyone, the dark streets shined with the everlasting light, and the hopes and fears of all the years were going to be met through a faithful couple, not Joseph and Mary, but another couple Boaz and Ruth. Contact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website form Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

In chapter 2 of the Book of Ruth, Ruth meets Boaz. The chapter is loaded with five scenes–all conversations between the three main characters, Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz.  Naomi and Ruth are settled in Bethlehem, but their situation is not good. They need to provide for themselves, but Naomi seems unable to help. Ruth must take matters into her own hands despite the fact that she is the unwelcome Moabite in the little Israelite town of Bethlehem. Ruth steps out in faith and providentially lands in Boaz's field, where Ruth meets Boaz for the first time. Boaz steps up and provides for Ruth and Naomi. Conversations happen, and Boaz is intrigued. Ruth is very different from him. He is rich, she is poor. He is a native, she is a foreigner. He is older, she is younger. Yet despite their differences, Boaz sees something more important in Ruth. He sees a genuine faith in God. It attracts his attention, and suddenly, we are in a tale as old as time, with a few twists! Ruth Advent Bonus Episodes:  The Book of Ruth is creatively a Christmas Story because the solution to the Israelite's problem, the need for a king, is announced at the end of the Book of Ruth. So, for season 8, the 4 episodes of Ruth will each have a bonus Advent episode that drops on Fridays. There is much meaning to the song O Little Town of Bethlehem and it starts here in the Book of Ruth! Thank you for being a part of the club. Show Notes BlogThe Old Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book Club Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram Like or comment on Susan's Facebook or Instagram Leave us an Apple review Contact us through our website form Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!