# 156 - Samuel's Farewell - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Samuel gives his final address to the people of Israel, reminding them of God’s faithfulness and warning them of the cost of turning away. As Saul steps into leadership, the prophet urges both king and people to walk in humility and obedience, trusting that only God can sustain the nation.

Episode 156 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 121:8, “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:36) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:36) Samuel's Farewell

(14:21) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 155 - Saul: The Conqueror - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Saul rises from obscurity to lead a fierce rescue—and prove himself as king. But even in victory, questions loom: is this the beginning of God’s deliverance, or the first crack in a crown forged by human desire?

Episode 155 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me"

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:12) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:07) Saul: The Conqueror

(23:13) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 154 - Saul: The King - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Israel's first king is revealed—but not with triumph or celebration, rather with trembling and hesitation. In this pivotal episode, Saul is called out of hiding to wear the crown the people demanded, raising the haunting question: what happens when God gives us what we ask for, even when it's not what we need?

Episode 154 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by James 4:6, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:17) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:10) Saul: The King

(14:10) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 153 - Saul: The Anointed - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Saul sets out to find lost donkeys but instead stumbles into divine destiny. In this episode, the reluctant future king of Israel is anointed by Samuel, setting in motion a story of leadership, fear, and the fragile weight of being chosen. Through the ordinary, God begins something extraordinary.

Episode 153 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Matthew 20:26, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:27) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:22) Saul: The Anointed

(20:26) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 152 - Israel Rejects God - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Israel demands a king, longing to look like the nations around them—even if it means rejecting God’s reign. In this episode, Samuel pleads with the people, warning them of what’s to come, while God, in His mercy, allows their request. A powerful story of trust, rebellion, and the cost of choosing human strength over divine leadership.

Episode 152 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:37) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:43) Israel Rejects God

(15:52) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 151 - The Rise of Samuel - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Samuel calls Israel to lay down their idols and return to the Lord with all their hearts. Witness how true repentance leads to divine deliverance, as the God who thunders becomes the defender of His people once more.

Episode 151 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting."

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:30) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:22) The Rise of Samuel

(18:54) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 150 - The Revenge of the Ark - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, the Ark of the Covenant is captured by the Philistines, they quickly discover that God’s holiness cannot be contained or controlled. In this episode, witness how Yahweh defends His own name, topples idols, and turns judgment into a call for reverence and return.

Episode 150 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Exodus 15:11, “Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?”

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:19) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:16) The Revenge of the Ark

(19:27) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 149 - The Ark of the Covenant is Stolen - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Israel suffers a devastating defeat as the Ark of the Covenant is taken by the Philistines and Eli’s family faces tragic consequences. The story reveals the danger of treating holy things as tools for personal gain, and reminds us that God’s presence cannot be manipulated.

Episode 149 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/who-we-are?utm_source=pray

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:06) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(01:56) The Ark of the Covenant is Stolen

(20:17) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.