Father Mike Schmitz hosts day 98 of The Bible in a Year podcast, reading from The Bible using the Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition and The Great Adventure Bible from Ascension. This episode covers 1 Samuel chapters 6-8 and Psalm 86, marking the final day before tomorrow's first messianic checkpoint.

The reading chronicles the Ark's return from Philistine captivity, Samuel's judgeship over Israel, and the people's fateful request for a king. Father Mike announces that day 99 will begin The Gospel of John, to be read over seven days as the first New Testament section of the chronological reading plan.

Philistines Return the Ark with Golden Offerings

After seven months of plagues, the Philistines created guilt offerings of 'five golden tumors and five golden mice' representing their afflictions and potential plague-carrying rodents.

The Philistines devised a test using new cows and cart: 'if it goes up on the way to its own land, to Beth Shemesh, then it is he who has done us this great harm.'

Father Mike notes the Philistines showed wisdom in using consecrated items and testing for divine intervention, similar to how 'the church investigates' claimed miracles with natural explanations as the default position.

Seventy men of Beth Shemesh died for looking into the Ark, demonstrating God's holiness even when the Ark returned to Israel.

Samuel's Leadership and His Sons' Corruption

Samuel judged Israel faithfully, traveling a circuit 'year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah' before returning to his home in Ramah.

Samuel's sons Joel and Abijah 'turned aside after gain, they took bribes and perverted justice,' paralleling Eli's corrupt sons.

Father Mike emphasizes that 'God doesn't have grandchildren, He only has children' - each generation must choose faith anew, which can be devastating for faithful parents.

The corruption of priestly sons reflects the broader challenge where 'every generation has to choose him again,' regardless of their parents' faithfulness.

Israel Demands a King Despite Divine Warning

The elders demanded 'appoint for us a king to govern us like all the nations,' which God interpreted as rejection of His kingship, not Samuel's leadership.

God told Samuel: 'they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.'

Samuel warned that kings would conscript their children, 'take the tenth of your grain and vineyards,' and 'you shall be his slaves.'

Despite the warnings, the people insisted 'we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations,' choosing earthly conformity over divine guidance.

Father Mike observes this reflects humanity's tendency to choose 'a secondhand God' over direct relationship with the true God who promises to 'guide and guard, feed and lead.'