Chapters of the Bible

The tribe of Dan, seeking territory, sends spies who persuade Micah's Levite priest to join them. The Danites steal Micah's idols and establish their own corrupt religious center in the north.

A Levite travels to retrieve his concubine, who fled. They stop in the town of Gibeah in Benjamin, where a wicked mob rapes and kills the concubine, leading to outrage across Israel.

The tribes of Israel gather to demand justice against the men of Gibeah. The tribe of Benjamin defends the rapists, leading to a terrible civil war where Benjamin is nearly annihilated.

The tribes realize they have vowed to not give the remaining Benjaminites their daughters as wives. They arrange a complicated plan to secure wives for the survivors to prevent the tribe of Benjamin from vanishing.

A famine drives Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons from Bethlehem to Moab. Elimelech and his sons die. Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, but only her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth, follows.

Ruth begins gleaning (gathering leftover grain) in the fields of Boaz, a wealthy and kind relative of Naomi. Boaz shows Ruth great favor, recognizing her loyalty to Naomi and her God.

Naomi instructs Ruth on a bold, custom request to Boaz: asking him to act as a kinsman-redeemer (one who restores the family's property and name). Boaz agrees to fulfill his duty.

Boaz resolves the kinsman-redeemer legal process at the city gate. He marries Ruth, and their son, Obed, becomes the grandfather of King David, securing Ruth's place in the lineage of Christ.

Hannah, a barren woman, prays fervently at the Tabernacle for a son, vowing to dedicate him to God's service. God answers her prayer, and she gives birth to Samuel and dedicates him to Eli the priest.

Hannah sings a powerful song of praise to the Lord, celebrating His power to raise up the humble and bring down the proud. The chapter highlights the wickedness of Eli's sons, who abuse their priestly office.

Samuel is sleeping near the Ark of the Covenant when God calls his name. Samuel, thinking it is Eli, answers him. God reveals to Samuel that He is about to judge Eli's house permanently.

The Philistines defeat Israel in battle and capture the Ark of the Covenant. The shock of the news kills Eli, and his daughter-in-law names her newborn son Ichabod ("The glory has departed").