Episode 50: The King Who Couldn't Wait

Episode 50: The King Who Couldn't Wait

In this episode, Cousin Michael walks kids through 1 Samuel 13, where King Saul faces a massive Philistine army and a shrinking force of terrified soldiers. Samuel had told Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal for him to come and offer sacrifices, but as the days pass and soldiers desert, Saul panics and offers the sacrifice himself. The moment he finishes, Samuel arrives and delivers a devastating verdict: because Saul didn't obey, his kingdom will not endure, and God has already begun seeking "a man after His own heart." Instead of owning his failure, Saul blames his soldiers, Samuel's timing, and the circumstances. The chapter closes with Israel's dire situation—only six hundred men remain, and just Saul and Jonathan have swords. But the real loss isn't military; it's that Samuel walks away, leaving Saul without God's direction. Kids learn that obedience matters more than circumstances, partial obedience is still disobedience, and waiting on God is always worth it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com [https://start2finish.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 49: Thunder from Heaven

In this episode, Cousin Michael guides kids through 1 Samuel 12, where the aging prophet Samuel delivers his farewell speech to Israel. He first puts himself on trial, and no one can find a single fault in his lifelong leadership. Then he confronts Israel with their history—every time they forgot God, He let enemies defeat them, and every time they cried out, He sent a rescuer. But this time, instead of trusting God, they demanded a human king. To drive the point home, Samuel calls on God to send thunder and rain during the dry wheat harvest season—something that never happens—and God does it, terrifying the people into confessing their sin. But Samuel delivers a message of hope built around one powerful word: "yet." Yes, they sinned—yet God won't reject them if they turn back and serve Him wholeheartedly. Samuel promises to keep praying and teaching no matter what. Kids learn that past failures don't define the future when you turn back to God. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com [https://start2finish.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 48: Saul's Big Moment

In this episode, the cruel Ammonite king Nahash surrounds the town of Jabesh Gilead and threatens to gouge out every man’s right eye. When the desperate news reaches Saul’s hometown, the Spirit of God comes upon Saul in power, transforming the shy farmer who once hid in the luggage into a bold warrior-king. He rallies all Israel by cutting up his oxen and sending the pieces throughout the land, and 330,000 men show up united and ready to fight. Saul divides his army into three groups, launches a surprise attack before dawn, and completely destroys the Ammonite forces. Afterward, when the people want to punish those who had doubted Saul, he refuses, declaring, “No one shall be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel.” Kids learn that God’s Spirit can empower anyone who is willing, and that victory always deserves mercy and giving God the credit. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com [https://start2finish.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 47: The King Who Hid in the Luggage

In 1 Samuel 10:17-27, Samuel gathers all Israel at Mizpah for a national assembly to publicly reveal their new king. But first, he reminds them of the hard truth: by demanding a king, they had rejected God who had always saved them. Then Samuel uses lots to narrow down God’s choice—tribe by tribe, clan by clan, family by family—until Saul son of Kish is chosen. But when they look for Saul, he’s nowhere to be found. They ask God, and he reveals that Saul has hidden himself among the baggage! They drag him out, and when he stands before the people—a head taller than everyone else—they shout, “Long live the king!” Samuel writes down the rules of the kingdom, and everyone goes home. Some valiant men follow Saul, but some troublemakers reject him. The big takeaway? You can’t hide from what God calls you to do—so step up and trust him. Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by SAUL’S DELUXE HIDING SPOT LUGGAGE SET: For when God chooses you but you're just not feeling it! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com [https://start2finish.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 46: Looking for Donkeys, Finding a Kingdom

In 1 Samuel 9:1–10:16, a tall, handsome young man named Saul is sent by his father to find some lost donkeys. After three days of searching with no success, his servant suggests consulting a nearby prophet—who turns out to be Samuel. What Saul doesn't know is that God told Samuel the day before, "Tomorrow I will send you a man from Benjamin. Anoint him as leader over my people." When Saul arrives, Samuel treats him like royalty, then privately pours oil on his head and declares him Israel's new king. To confirm this is really from God, Samuel gives Saul three specific signs—all of which come true that very day, including the Spirit of God rushing upon Saul and changing his heart. When Saul gets home, he tells his uncle the donkeys were found but says nothing about the kingdom. The big takeaway? God is working behind the scenes even when you can't see it. Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by SAUL’S DONKEY TRACKING APP: Because not everyone who loses their donkeys is gonna end up finding a kingdom! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com [https://start2finish.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]