This book, best used for group study, looks at Samuel as a prophet rather than a king-maker. Saul's character is well covered, and much emphasis is given to his disregard of God's voice. In this respect contemporary Christian's are challenged, but Elsworth is not specific enough about modern "idols". The redeeming work of Jesus is reiterated in several chapter endings, before the guides to study and discussion. Now, as then, God's people are tempted to go the way of contemporary culture and neglect God's voice and the bible. The Godly wisdom of our leaders may fall on deaf ears, as did Samuel's, but God's people should have God's word available.