Samuel is a miracle child born to barren parents at the end of the morally bankrupt times of the Judges. With ungodliness on the rise among the spiritual leaders and the people, the Lord raises up a godly leader who will serve as both Israel’s final Judge and first Prophet. The narrative of 1 Samuel unfolds in contrasting sets of characters either pursuing their sinful desires or pursuing the heart of God. God provides the nation of Israel with two kings who both bring a lot of hope and fail in tremendous ways. The successes and failures of human leadership point us to our desperate need for our true King, the King of kings, King Jesus who alone rules righteously.