Some men heard what David had said, and they told Saul, who sent for him.
How Saul must have been disappointed to see a mere boy standing in front of him when he was no doubt expecting an imposing soldier that he had somehow failed to notice in the past!
…David said to Saul, “Your Majesty, no one should be afraid of this Philistine!
1 Samuel 17:31 – 37a Read More »
…A man named Goliath, from the city of Gath, came out from the Philistine camp to challenge the Israelites. He was over nine feet tall and wore bronze armor that weighed about 125 pounds and a bronze helmet. His legs were also protected by bronze armor, and he carried a bronze javelin slung over his shoulder. His spear was as thick as the bar on a weaver’s loom, and its iron head weighed about fifteen pounds.
1 Samuel 17:1 – 30 Read More »
The Lord’s spirit left Saul, and an evil spirit sent by the Lord tormented him.
This would not be the last occurrence of such an event (2 Chronicles 18:18-22). Please don’t ever leave me, Spirit (2 Samuel 7:15)!
…His servants said to him, “We know that an evil spirit sent by God is tormenting you. So give us the order, sir, and we will look for a man who knows how to play the harp.
1 Samuel 16:14 – * Read More »
…And Samuel said to him, “No, the Lord hasn’t chosen any of these.” Then he asked him, “Do you have any more sons?”
Jesse answered, “There is still the youngest, but he is out taking care of the sheep.”
“Tell him to come here,” Samuel said. “We won’t offer the sacrifice until he comes.” So Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes sparkled.
1 Samuel 16:8 – 13 Read More »
As long as Samuel lived, he never again saw the king; but he grieved over him. The Lord was sorry that he had made Saul king of Israel.
Samuel no doubt felt responsible for Saul’s failure but there are so many things that occur beyond our limited vision. What is the cause behind the effet is not always clear (2 Samuel 24:1).…
1 Samuel 15:32 – 16:7 Read More »
Samuel said, “Which does the Lord prefer: obedience or offerings and sacrifices? It is better to obey him than to sacrifice the best sheep to him. Rebellion against him is as bad as witchcraft, and arrogance is as sinful as idolatry.”
Disobedience is the root that manifests itself in so many different ways (Romans 1:28-32).
…“Because you rejected the Lord’s command, he has rejected you as king.”
1 Samuel 15:22b – 31 Read More »
“Why did you rush to grab the loot, and so do what displeases the Lord?”
The list is long of those that fall victim to the love of money: Laban (Genesis 24:29-30), Achan (Joshua 7:20-21), Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27), Judas (Matthew 26:14-16), Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11), … Others fall victim to the love of pleasure / sexe (Proverbs 7:6-23).…
1 Samuel 15:18-22a Read More »
The Lord said to Samuel, “I am sorry that I made Saul king; he has turned away from me and disobeyed my commands.”
This mirrors God’s response in Genesis 6:5-8 where it states he was “sorry” he created man. Regret seen from a certain perspective perhaps but we have to remember that we were chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).…
After Saul became king of Israel, he fought all his enemies everywhere… Wherever he fought he was victorious. …As long as he lived, Saul had to fight fiercely against the Philistines. So whenever he found a man who was strong or brave, he would enlist him in his army.
A bit like Saul before his conversion (Acts 8:3): zeal without knowledge (Romans 10:2).…
1 Samuel 14:47 – 15:9 Read More »
…“Look, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating meat with the blood in it.”
“You are traitors!” Saul cried out. …“Go among the people and tell them all to bring their cattle and sheep here. They are to slaughter them and eat them here; they must not sin against the Lord by eating meat with blood in it.”
1 Samuel 14:31 – 46 Read More »