The Lord again called, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But Eli ¹  said, “I didn’t call you, my son. Go back and lie down.”

if the king becomes angry and asks you, ‘Why did you go so close to the city to fight? Didn’t you realize they would shoot from the wall?

I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes. Indeed, I didn’t hear even half the story! ¹  Your wisdom and wealth ²  surpass what was reported to me.

But they did not repudiate ¹  the sinful ways of the family ²  of Jeroboam, who encouraged Israel to sin; they continued in those sins. ³  There was even an Asherah pole ⁴  standing in Samaria.

I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes. Indeed, I didn’t hear even half the story! ¹  Your wisdom surpasses what was reported to me.

I have not failed to tell about your justice; ¹  I spoke about your reliability and deliverance; I have not neglected to tell the great assembly about your loyal love and faithfulness. ² 

Where did John’s baptism come from? From heaven or from people?” ¹  They discussed this among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’

One of the high priest’s slaves, ¹  a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, ²  said, “Did I not see you in the orchard ³  with him?” ⁴ 

Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s residence. ¹  (Now it was very early morning.) ²  They ³  did not go into the governor’s residence ⁴  so they would not be ceremonially defiled, but could eat the Passover meal.

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel – and not with clever speech, so that the cross of Christ would not become useless. ¹ 

For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in ¹  with those who heard it in faith. ² 

So he returned to Judah and said, “I couldn’t find her. Moreover, the men of the place said, ‘There has been no cult prostitute here.’”

But Balaam replied ¹  to Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘All that the Lord speaks, ²  I must do’?”

Then you came back and wept before the Lord, but he ¹  paid no attention to you whatsoever. ² 

I have led you through the desert for forty years. Your clothing has not worn out ¹  nor have your sandals ²  deteriorated.

The people ¹  who did not die were struck with sores; the city’s cry for help went all the way up to heaven.

However, Saul said nothing about it ¹  that day, for he thought, ²  “Something has happened to make him ceremonially unclean. Yes, he must be unclean.”

The jar of flour was never empty and the jug of oil never ran out, just as the Lord had promised ¹  through Elijah.

However, due to your abundant mercy you did not do away with them altogether; you did not abandon them. For you are a merciful and compassionate God.

(just as many were horrified by the sight of you) ¹  he was so disfigured ²  he no longer looked like a man; ³