With this sermon we are starting a new series through the books of 1-2 Samuel. Originally one scroll in Hebrew, these books recount the series of events that saw Israel transition from judges to kings, and from tabernacle to temple.

The backdrop for Samuel is summed up with the final verse of Judges: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (21:25). This helps us understand what 1-2 Samuel are all about. They are about God’s plan to set a king “after his own heart” on the throne of Israel—a son who would bring the blessing of God to his ruined people and his fallen world. And this means that this opening story is about much more than one woman’s prayer for a son. It’s about the new thing that God was about to do in Israel.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that God is always at work to fulfill his purpose especially in hopeless circumstances. He intends to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found. And so we can trust that he will hear the prayers of his people, remember us, and act for our good and his glory.