The Story
Feb 24, 2019 • Chris Reighley
The Story:
The Bible As One Continuing Story of God and His People
by Mac Lucado & Randy Frazee
The Story tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time!
God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story is all about: the story of the Bible, God’s great love affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption—and this story’s true!
God responds to humble, obedient hearts—not outward strength or status. Through Hannah, Samuel, and Saul, we witness a profound leadership transition: from faithful prayer to prophetic obedience to royal failure. Saul’s downfall highlights a critical truth—to obey is better than sacrifice. While Saul stood tall in appearance, his pride brought him low. God is preparing a better King—one after His own heart.
Passage: 1 Samuel 1–4; 8–13; 15
Main Idea: The posture of your heart matters more than your position in life.
Lesson 7: Standing Tall, Falling Hard
I. Hannah: A Faithful Heart That Hears God (1 Samuel 1–2)
- Hannah’s Distress and Prayer – 1 Samuel 1:1–20
- Samuel Dedicated to the Lord – 1 Samuel 1:21–28
- Hannah’s Prayer of Praise and Prophetic Insight – 1 Samuel 2:1–11
- God opposes the proud and exalts the humble
- Despite human evil, God is at work
- God will raise up a Messianic King
II. Eli: Spiritual Compromise and National Loss (1 Samuel 2–4; 5–6)
- Eli’s Corrupt Sons and Passive Leadership – 1 Samuel 2:12–36
- God Calls Samuel as a Prophet – 1 Samuel 3:1–21
- The Ark Captured; Eli Dies – 1 Samuel 4:1–18
- God Humiliates Dagon and Returns the Ark – 1 Samuel 5–6
III. Samuel: A Faithful Judge and Prophet (1 Samuel 7–9)
- Samuel Leads in Righteousness – 1 Samuel 7
- Israel Demands a King – 1 Samuel 8
- God Grants Their Request; Saul Introduced – 1 Samuel 9
IV. Saul: Chosen by the People, Rejected by God (1 Samuel 10–15)
- Privately Anointed, Publicly Presented – 1 Samuel 10
- Early Victories and Favor – 1 Samuel 11–12
- Rebellion and Rash Disobedience – 1 Samuel 13–14
- Impatient sacrifice
- Foolish vows
- Saul’s Rejection After Agag Incident – 1 Samuel 15
- “To obey is better than sacrifice” – 1 Samuel 15:22
- Saul rejected by God; Samuel mourns
- Saul’s incomplete obedience opens door to later enemies (Agag → Haman)
Key Themes & Takeaways
- God lifts up the lowly (Hannah), but opposes the proud (Saul).
- Obedience is the true test of leadership.
- The people wanted a king like the nations—God is preparing a king after His own heart.
- Samuel’s faithful leadership contrasts sharply with Saul’s spiritual compromise.