1 Samuel by Dennis McCallum (2023)

God used Hannah, a barren and powerless but profoundly faithful woman to overturn and transform a corrupt system in Israel, leading to the transitional figure of Samuel.

The story of the Ark of the Covenant being lost to the Philistines is the story of God repudiating the idea that man can use spiritual magic to control God. The Israelites tried to use the Ark as a magical item to attain victory in battle but God did not honor that use of the Ark. The Israelites were badly defeated and had the Ark stolen by the Philistines.

The time of the Judges is ending and the people clamor for a king like the other nations. Although God knows this will end badly for the Israelites, He agrees to their demand because He has a better king in mind for the future.

Although Saul, the new king of Israel, was a good general who led the Israelites into some successful battles against the Philistines, he neglected to wait on God and took matters into his own hands. Fame and success led him to make foolish decisions and lean on self-will and manipulation instead of trusting and waiting on God.

After Saul's repeated disobedience to God's commands, God picks a new leader, the young shepherd boy, David. When the armies of God are being defied by the Philistine giant, Goliath, David trusts God to give Goliath into his hand even though he is only armed with a stone and a sling. Where the entire Israelite army cowered in fear, David had a divine perspective and was willing to do something audacious.