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I’m Tom Nicholas — a pastor, teacher, and community builder living in Billings, Montana. My life and ministry flow from one heartbeat: to see the Church alive — Spirit-filled, rooted in Scripture, and moving with Jesus into the world. I serve as a pastor, chaplain, and mentor, helping people grow in faith, leadership, and everyday discipleship. Whether around a campfire, in a coffee shop, or through digital spaces, I believe the gospel belongs where life happens — in the field, among the people, and around the table. Through The Church Alive, I write about biblical leadership, spiritual formation, and building vibrant, missional communities that reflect the love and courage of Christ.

📖 Week 25 — The Birth of a Prophet: Samuel and the Renewal of Israel

Main Reading: 1 Samuel 1–7
Theme: Hearing God, Spiritual Renewal, and Covenant Faithfulness
Messianic Focus: Yeshua as the True Prophet, Faithful Priest, and Righteous Judge

🌿 Overview

The book of Samuel marks the transition from the period of the judges — a time of moral chaos and spiritual decline — into the rise of the monarchy.

Israel is spiritually drifting:

  • corruption in the priesthood
  • poor leadership
  • idolatry creeping in
  • little prophetic vision
  • the Ark is mishandled
  • the people mistake ritual for relationship

Into this darkness, God brings forth Samuel, a child miraculously given in response to Hannah’s prayer.
Samuel becomes:

  • a prophet
  • a judge
  • a priestly leader
  • a reformer
  • a bridge from the age of Judges to the age of Kings

This portion focuses on:

  • Hannah’s faith
  • Samuel’s calling
  • the fall of Eli’s house
  • the Ark being captured and returned
  • Israel’s national repentance
  • victory when God is rightly honored

It is a study in spiritual renewal.

🌿 Key Scriptures

TopicPassage
Hannah’s prayer & vow1 Sam. 1
Samuel dedicated to the LORD1 Sam. 1:21–28
Hannah’s prophetic song1 Sam. 2:1–10
Sin of Eli’s sons1 Sam. 2:12–36
Samuel hears God’s voice1 Sam. 3
The Ark is captured1 Sam. 4
Judgment on Dagon & Philistines1 Sam. 5
Ark returns to Israel1 Sam. 6
Samuel leads Israel to repentance1 Sam. 7

🌿 Supporting Readings

  • Prophets/Writings: Psalm 99; Jeremiah 7
  • Messianic Writings: Luke 1–2; Hebrews 4–7; John 10

🌿 Hebrew Notes (Integrated)

1. Shmuel — שְׁמוּאֵל — “Heard by God”

From shama (to hear) + El (God).
Samuel’s very name reflects answered prayer.

2. Chanah — חַנָּה — “Favor / grace”

Hannah’s life displays patient trust and holy surrender.

3. Hineni — הִנֵּנִי — “Here I am”

Samuel’s response when God calls him.
A posture of availability and obedience.

4. Kavod — כָּבוֹד — “Glory / weight”

God’s glory departs Israel when the Ark is mishandled.

5. Teshuvah — תְּשׁוּבָה — “Return / repentance”

Samuel calls Israel to return with the whole heart.

🌿 Messianic Connection

Samuel’s story points forward to Messiah in profound ways:

1. Samuel and Yeshua: Miraculous births and dedicated lives

  • Hannah’s song anticipates Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1).
  • Both boys grow “in favor with God and man.”
  • Both bring the Word of the LORD to Israel.

2. Samuel as prophet, priest, and judge

Yeshua fulfills all these roles perfectly:

  • Prophet: speaks God’s Word with authority
  • Priest: intercedes for the people
  • Judge: rules with righteousness

3. God rejects corrupt priesthood and raises a faithful priest

Eli’s sons fail; God raises Samuel.
Likewise, Messiah becomes the faithful High Priest after a corrupt priesthood in His day.

4. The Ark and the presence of God

Israel treats the Ark like a magic charm.
Messiah teaches true worship comes from the heart, not superstition or ritual (John 4).

5. Victory comes from repentance, not ritual

This points directly to Messiah’s call:

“Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.”

6. Samuel intercedes — Messiah intercedes forever

Samuel cries out for Israel and God delivers them.
Messiah intercedes at the right hand of the Father.

🌿 Moral and Spiritual Application

1. God hears the cry of the humble.

Hannah’s tears become the seed of Israel’s renewal.

2. God raises leaders who listen.

Samuel hears God when others do not.
Availability matters more than ability.

3. Spiritual leadership requires purity.

Eli’s sons show that religious position cannot replace obedience.

4. Ritual without repentance is empty.

Israel tries to use the Ark like a good-luck charm — and fails.
We cannot manipulate God with outward forms.

5. God humbles idols.

Dagon bows before the Ark — God will topple false gods.

6. Repentance opens the way to victory.

When Samuel calls Israel to Teshuvah (return), everything changes.

7. God restores His glory among His people.

When we repent, pray, listen, and obey — God’s presence becomes real and powerful.

🕎 7-Day Devotional

DayReadingFocusHebrew NoteMessianic Insight
Day 11 Sam. 1Hannah’s faithChanah — graceMessiah hears the cry of the humble.
Day 21 Sam. 2:1–10Prophetic song—Messiah exalts the lowly.
Day 31 Sam. 2:12–36Corrupt priesthoodKavod — gloryMessiah restores true priesthood.
Day 41 Sam. 3Samuel’s callingHineni — here I amMessiah calls His disciples by name.
Day 51 Sam. 4–5Ark captured / Dagon falls—Messiah destroys spiritual strongholds.
Day 61 Sam. 6Ark returned—Messiah restores God’s presence among His people.
Day 71 Sam. 7National repentanceTeshuvah — returnMessiah brings renewal.

🌿 Discussion Questions

  1. What does Hannah teach us about faith in seasons of pain?
  2. Why was Samuel able to hear God when others couldn’t?
  3. How does the story of the Ark challenge our view of worship and ritual?
  4. How does this portion point to Yeshua as prophet, priest, and judge?
  5. Where is God calling you to Teshuvah — to return with your whole heart?

🌿 Prayer Focus

Ask God for a listening heart like Samuel’s.
Invite Him to reveal any areas where ritual has replaced relationship.
Pray for personal and communal renewal through Messiah.

🌿 Memory Verse

1 Samuel 3:10 —
“Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”

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