Uncategorized

In First Samuel, chapter fifteen, verse two, the Amalekites were the descendants of Amalek and had been the first to oppose God and the nation of Israel in the wilderness. They represent hostile power and evil opposition to God, His people, and His truth. It was the responsibility of Saul to destroy the Amalekites and […]

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

In First Samuel, chapter thirteen, verse fourteen, David was a man after God’s heart in many ways. He was a man of spiritual hunger and holy passion for God. However, out of David’s life of prayer and spiritual intimacy with God, he wrote many psalms. In contrast to Saul, his desire to please God was

In First Samuel, chapter thirteen, verse thirteen, the Lord had commanded Saul to wait in Gilgal for the arrival of Samuel, who would offer sacrifices and provide instruction, as in chapter ten, verse eight. God tested Saul’s obedience by the providential delay of Samuel beyond the agreed-upon seven days. In desperation and presumption, Saul offers

In First Samuel, chapter twelve, verse twenty-four, although King Saul was the ruler of Israel, Samuel, as a prophet of God, continued to call both the king and the people to walk in God’s way. Representing God and His Word, the prophet stood apart from Saul and all the future kings of Israel as God’s

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

In First Samuel, chapter twelve, verse twenty-two, God continues to work with the Israelites even though they had made a wrong choice and departed from His perfect will for them. In His mercy and patience, God will often keep helping us even when we make bad choices and enter a path that is not wholly

In First Samuel, chapter twelve, verse twenty-one, Samuel warned the Israelites not to follow after useless and powerless idol gods. Only the Lord could give them the help they needed in any crisis. Many who will not have Christ to reign over them would yet be glad to have him intercede for them, to turn

In First Samuel, chapter twelve, verse fourteen, Samuel made it clear that God’s blessing and welfare of the nation are conditional not upon having a king but upon their response of reverence for and service to God with obedience to his covenant word. Samuel, with mournful earnestness, would drive home to the hearts of the

In First Samuel, chapter twelve, verses seven through eighteen, Samuel manifested the true prophet’s heart by pleading with the people to remain faithful to God and His commandments. Samuel remained faithful to God and his purpose throughout his life and never deviated from his original personal integrity, mission, or message. Samuel obtained testimony from them