Previously on the chosen people.

God most I, Lord of host,

if you will indeed look upon the affliction of your servant

and remember me.

If you will give your servant a son,

then I will give him to you all the days of his life.

Hannah conceived, as the child grew in her womb, her faith grew in her heart.

I shall call him Samuel, for I have asked for him from the Lord.

Samuel counted himself blessed beyond measure to be able to serve the Lord in the

tabernacle. Elkanah, Anna, in all my years, I have not found one of the Lord's servants to be

like Samuel. May the Lord give you more children through this woman, the gift she has given to him.

For Hoffney and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, life had become monotonous.

They had known no other life than that in the shadow of their father.

For most Jewish young men to take the role of priest would have

been an honor. Yet no honor was found within these two. They strode arrogantly among the

worshippers. Though they were to act as intercessors between God and his people, they knew nothing

of the Lord. The edict confirmed Eli's greatest fear.

He had been broken over evil brought about by his sons.

But no good father would ever wish such a fate on his children.

The elderly priest sat in stunned silence as the man of God finished.

I will raise up for myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in my heart and in my mind.

I will firmly establish his priestly house and they will minister before me, anointed always.

...