May 2023

The Philistines’ garrison

In First Samuel, chapter fourteen, verse one, emphasizes that the Israelites defeated the Philistines only because God acted on their behalf. They were discouraged, outnumbered, and inadequately armed, as in chapters thirteen, nineteen through twenty-two, with no reasonable hope of victory yet won the battle because “the lord saved Israel that day.” When circumstances seem …

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God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray

In First Samuel, chapter twelve, verse twenty-three, Samuel was a man of prayer. He was born in answer to his mother’s prayer: as in chapter one, verses ten through twenty. He prayed for God’s people and, over prayer, saw Israel deliver them from their enemy in chapter seven, verses five to fourteen. Samuel prayed when …

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