In First Samuel, chapter ten, verse five, prophesying involves praises to God through prophetic utterance and songs inspired by the Holy Spirit. The name of Gibeah, or Hill of God, was given to it for a well-known high place or sacrificial height in the town. These belonged to one of those seminaries termed “schools of …
In First Samuel, chapter ten, verse one, Saul’s anointing was dedicating him to God for the task to which he received the call and to impart enabling grace and gifts for his God-appointed assignment. “The Lord’s anointed” became a common term for Israel’s king as in verse nine of chapter twenty-six: Lamentations, chapter four, verse …
In First Samuel, chapter eight, verse twenty-two, although it was not God’s will to give Israel a king at this time, He did so. This example precedes according to God’s permission will rather than His perfect will. God permitted the appointment of a king and monarchial government despite its eventual trouble and disaster for the …
In First Samuel, chapter eight, verse seven, Israel’s government had been a theocracy: God ruled Israel as their king. He governed through direct guidance, through special revelation and the written word, and through chosen and anointed leaders. When Israel requested a monarchial government, her kings took office under hereditary succession rather than by God’s choice. …
In First Samuel, chapter eight, verse five, kingship was a part of God’s promise in His covenant with Abraham, as in Genesis seventeen, verse six: In Jacob’s blessing of his sons, he assigned the kingship to the tribe of Judah as in Genesis forty-nine, verse ten. Moses foretold of the day when Israel would no …
In First Samuel, chapter eight, verses one through three, Samuel made his sons judges in the southern part of Israel, but they did not follow the father’s good example. The choice belongs to them. However, the Bible does not blame Samuel the way it does Eli. Samuel had not allowed them to function as priests: …
In First Samuel, chapter seven, verse eight, we, as believers throughout our lives, victory over our spiritual adversaries depends on unceasing prayer to God. Prayer brings God into every aspect of our lives: our work, plan, family, problems, and successes. To fail to pray opens us up to Satan’s attack and our defeat. Samuel’s response …
In First Samuel, chapter seven, verse three, Samuel emphasized the Biblical principle that if God’s people hope to receive His protection and deliverance, they must first turn to Him with all their hearts and put away all forms of idolatry and compromise, as in Romans twelve verse two. All those who sincerely desire to please …
In First Samuel, chapter six, verse nineteen, many of the people of Beth-shemesh disregarded the commandment of the Lord not to look or touch the holy objects of the sanctuary as in Numbers four, fifteen, and twenty, respectively. By examining the Ark of the Lord, they demonstrated a total absence of the fear of the …
In First Samuel, chapter Four, verse twenty-one, Ichabod means “no glory.” The Glory of Israel was God and His manifested presence on Earth among His people. Phinehas’ widow was rightly concerned about the departure of God’s glory, as in verses nineteen through twenty-two. Similar to the new covenant, believers must be concerned if the spirit’s …
