Tag Archives: 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 25

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In 1 Samuel 25 we read the story of Abigail and Nabal. In this chapter we find one of the most inspirational characters of the Bible; a woman who was in a difficult circumstance yet still faithfully acted in the best interests of her husband. “The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved”.

Nabal claims not to know David, despite David being famous throughout Israel for the victory over Goliath. He had married the kings daughter. Nabal’s refusal to acknowledge David or provide food and water for David and his men demonstrates just how badly behaved Nabal was.

Abigail takes responsibility for her husband’s shortcomings, and pleads for David’s mercy. She takes large amounts of food and wine to David and his men, seeking forgiveness for Nabal, and taking responsibility for the way David’s men had been treated. She single-handedly prevented David and his men from slaughtering Nabal and his household.

As such, Abigail is a great example to us all of Paul’s advice in Galatians 6, “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”. It wasn’t Abigail’s responsibility to solve this problem, but she recognised the need and did something about it. So we should assist each other in our walk towards the kingdom.

1 Samuel 10

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In 1 Samuel 10 we read the odd story of Saul being anointed king. Saul was in the land of Zuph, looking for his father’s donkeys. Having gone to the city where Samuel was, to enquire about the donkeys, Samuel anoints Saul and gives him a prophecy about both his father’s donkeys and the events that Saul would experience for the rest of the day.

The prophecy is very specific, “Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine… After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim … as soon as you come to the city … Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.”

God seems to have influenced Saul, “When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day.” Samuel’s strange and highly specific prophecy comes to pass, and Saul prophesied to the extent that “it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”” God also affected the hearts of those who travelled with Saul, “Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched.”

This touching of Saul’s heart wasn’t a permanent thing; he later reverts to his own ways. But it shows to us the power of God’s word, that it can affect our hearts as well. Let’s listen to His word, as Saul listened to Samuel, and be influenced for good.

1 Samuel 26-27, Matthew 14

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David demonstrates great courage, sneaking into the camp of Saul by night, and taking Saul’s spear and water. Yet he refuses to listen to the advice of Abishai and kill Saul, leaving the judgement of Saul to God.  David shows mercy in letting Saul live, and in trying to help Saul realise the error of his ways, even though he continues to fear for his life.

We also read of Jesus’ compassion, teaching and feeding the multitudes, healing them, before going up a mountain to pray.  Yet even while praying, he doesn’t neglect his disciples, noticing their distress and walking on the water to their boat to help them.  When they reach the shore, Jesus is again presented with numerous sick people to heal. We get the impression that Jesus is constantly kept busy with the needs of others, even at the expense of time alone with his father.

Contrast between  this period in David’s life, when he trusted in his strength for survival, and the time Jesus spends with God to help him through his ministry. Shows the importance of relying on God, of prayer, and of serving the needs of others.

1 Samuel 23, Isaiah 66, Matthew 11

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1 Samuel 23 is a classic example of David’s faith in God. Rather than giving in to the fears of the 600 men with him, David trusts in God, seeking God’s advice, following it and encouraging those around him.  While we don’t have the Ephod that David used to communicate with God, we do have God’s word and prayer. Like David, we need to rely on God’s word and our relationship with Him to survive our daily battles, although they’re not typically as life threatening as the battles David faced.

God’s word reveals in passages like Isaiah 66 the way in which we should live – humble and contrite in spirit, trembling at God’s word.  Heaven is God’s throne and the earth is His footstool, He created all the things we can see, so we can have confidence in His power to save.

So let’s take Jesus’ advice, learn from him, place our burdens on him, and find rest in the confidence we have in God’s plan of salvation.

1 Samuel 20, Isaiah 64

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Today we read the emotional story of Jonathan & David’s farewell.  We read of the faith of Jonathan, choosing God’s anointed over his own family, of the love of God they both shared. This was a difficult time in David’s life, running and hiding from Saul, in fear of his life, yet his faith in God remained strong.

Isaiah describes our relationship with God, “O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” God is shaping us to be vessels “for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”  Shaping clay into a vessel is a difficult process, with the clay naturally resisting the hand of the potter. So it is with our life, needing the hand of God constantly shaping our life into a vessel that He can use.

1 Samuel 17, Isaiah 61, Matthew 6

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In 1 Samuel 17 we first read of the faith of David, some insight into why he was chosen by God to be king. David’s faith was real and living, enabled him to vigorously defend God’s chosen people against “this uncircumcised Philistine.”  David realised that God “saves not with sword and spear”, but with faith demonstrated in one’s life.

It is living faith in God that “brings good news to the poor…liberty to the captives…comfort to all who mourn…garment of praise instead of a faint spirit”.  Isaiah goes on to say “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.”

Jesus continues his sermon on the mount with practical advice for living a Godly life. Prayer is a vital aspect, as is correct perspective. We have no need to be anxious, knowing that God cares for us just as he does the birds of the air. Let us “lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven”, looking after the needs of others and maintaining a close relationship with God.

1 Samuel 15, Isaiah 59, Matthew 3-4

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Today we read of Saul continuing in his efforts to please the people of Israel, rather than following God’s instructions delivered through Samuel. Saul is again rebuked, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”

God is more interested in the effort we put into serving Him, than the times which we fail. God’s “hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah’s message to Israel condemned them for “denying the Lord, and turning back from following our God.”  Hiding from God is not the answer when we fall down.

God’s “own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.” God has reached out to offer us salvation through His beloved Son.  Let’s follow Jesus’ advice when he said “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.“

1 Samuel 13, Isaiah 56-57, Revelation 21-21

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Contrast between Saul’s sacrifices, and those who hold fast God’s covenant.  Saul’s offerings were not performed in accordance with the command of God, and so the kingdom of Israel would belong to another king.

But to those who keep the Sabbath, who do not profane it but hold fast to God’s covenant, God says he will “bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar“.

Our lives in this present age do not compare to the promise of what is to come, the new heaven and new earth, dwelling with God amongst us, as His people.  Our lives today will determine whether we are found written in the Lamb’s book of life, able to enter the city lit by the glory of God.  Let’s thirst after the water of life without price, so that we can share in the tree of life and in the holy city described in Revelation.

1 Samuel 9, Isaiah 53, Revelation 15-16

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Today we read of the personal cost involved in Jesus’ sacrifice. Despised and rejected by men, pierced and crushed, oppressed and afflicted, no majesty or beauty apparent in his form, chastised in order to bring us peace.  Yet as a result many are accounted righteous.

Jesus “bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.” Such a contrast from the king that Israel chose, fruitlessly searching for his father’s donkeys. Jesus is the Lamb of God, the first-fruits of those who have “conquered the beast and its image”.

Jesus led the way, it’s up to us now to follow his example, so that we too can sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty… your righteous acts have been revealed”.

 

1 Samuel 7-8, Isaiah 52

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Israel desired a king to be like the nations around them, to go out before them and fight their battles, and God tells Samuel to obey their request.

By contrast, in Isaiah we see the inspirational word picture of the future, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’“.  Rather than a time of war, it is a time of peace. Rather than a king ruling, it is God that reigns.

This future is certain. God will comfort His people. He will redeem Jerusalem. The whole earth will see the salvation of our God. We can be part of that future, provided we endure the difficulties of life today, realising that God is always by our side, “The Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”