1 Samuel
God Controlled, Motivated, and Guided David
When David was brought before Israelās monarch, Saul tried to talk him out of what appeared to be a foolish course of action (vv. 31-33). Human logic might have implied that he was embarking on a foolās errand, but his confidence in the God of his fathers was so strong it assured him of …
Godās Judgment Falls on Eli’s Family and on the Philistines
In Samuelās day the Philistines lived along the Mediterranean Sea near present day Gaza. They were constantly at war with Israel. During one particularly devastating battle the Israelites lost 4000 men (v. 2). The elders decided to bring the ark of the covenant closer …
Samuel’s Farewell Address
Samuel was a blameless leader for Israel (vv. 1-5). He did not resist the peopleās will when they cried out for a king. Samuel could not live forever and his sons, having earned a bad reputation (1 Sam. 8:2-3), …
The Search For a King
Several characteristics we learn about Saul from this passage:Saul was from a leading family (v. 1). “There was man of Benjamin whose name was Kish … a Benjamite, mighty man of power.Ć¢ā¬Ā Saul was from the house of Benjamin, the smallest tribe of Israel, an unlikely so …
Everybody Loves David (Except Saul)
After David killed Goliath, he and Jonathan became the closest of friends (v. 1). Their friendship is one of the deepest and closest in the Bible and this remained to the end. Saul wanted to keep David around so he could use him for personal gain, but Jonathan loved David as a person. We …
Saul’s First Victory
Following the events at Mizpah Saul returned to Gibeah where he apparently made no attempt to establish his leadership in the kingdom. Possibly this is because he did not want to give those who had opposed …
Samuel Gathered the leaders of Israel together
Saul returns home, and says nothing about the private anointing (vv. 14-16). He told his uncle about finding the donkeys with Samuel’s help, but Saul said nothing about the kingship. Samuel calls an assembly of all Israel. There, perhaps by use of Urim and Thummim, Saul is public …
Saul is Angry with Jonathan
Things happened just as David had predicted as Saul became violently angry when David did not show for the feast of the New Moon. Jonathan tried to reason with his father as he had done a few weeks before (vv. 24-31). Saul, however, hurled his spear, narrowly missing his son. Jon …
Reliance in the Midst of Trials
When David heard that the Philistines were attacking Keilah, a border town about 15 miles southwest of Bethlehem, he inquired of the Lord as to whether they should help them (vv. 1-2). Sometimes in ministry we are faced with opportunities that to us might seem obvious. People are …
David flees from Saul to Gath
Once again, the Ziphites betrayed Davidās location to Saul (v. 1). Saul took 3,000 troops and went to find David. When they reached the area where David was camped, they were very tired and bedded down for the night with the intention of launching a surprise attack on David and his people …