Galatians   Paul's concern for the church at Galatia is so overwhelming that he jumps right in with only a brief greeting, " I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel..." ( v6).   The main issue is that some have come to the church and began teaching what Paul calls a distortion,  it is " contrary" ,  and "different" .  It is a gospel that is according to man, unlike the gospel that Paul preached, which was " through a revelation of Jesus Christ". 

Paul's whole letter is written with the purpose of distinguishing this contrary teaching with the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He contrasts the Law and the Promise;  Righteousness based on works vs righteousness based on faith;  Sonship vs Slavery;  Walking by the Spirit vs walking by the flesh.

Paul begins his argument right in the beginning, even the greeting - "Paul, an apostle, not sent from men, nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead.... who gave Himself for our sins that He might deliver us out of this present evil age according to the will of our God and Father..."( v2.4)   Here is the True Gospel - Christ Jesus, Who died for our sins and who rose again. Period.  Jesus, who called them by grace.

Paul, by experience, knows the inability of the Law to bring salvation.  He knows what it is like to trust in the Law.  He lived that life and he lived it to the best of his ability.  But when he met Jesus, he knew that all of that was useless.  His life was forever changed by the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Paul hated that the church in Galatia was heading backwards... they were going back into slavery, back into self-righteousness, back into the Law... where there was no salvation.  "Let him be accursed" Paul says, of those who are preaching this distorted gospel.  For it is not good news at all.

Father in heaven,  Let Your holy Name be spoken only with reverence and awe.  May we know more of the beauty of Your holiness.  You are perfect in every way, perfect in holiness, perfect in love, perfect in power, and perfect in grace.  We praise You and worship You alone.  Father,  help us to walk by Your Spirit in Christ Jesus,  clinging to the Truth and opposing the false teachings, the lies of the evil one.  Fill us with Your Spirit and produce in us the fruit that only You can.. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We have crucified the flesh and belong to Christ Jesus, now and forever. Amen.

1 Samuel 28-31  Saul led Israel into one last battle with the Philistines.  But, he was so afraid that he asked a medium to conjure up Samuel for him.  What seems remarkable is that she does it!  Samuel tells Saul that the Lord is just doing what He had said he would do, taking Israel out of Saul's hands and giving it to David.

Meanwhile David is dismissed from the battle with Israel because the commanders of the Philistines don't trust him.  When he and his men return home, they find that the Amalekites had come in and taken all their families and burned down their town.  David goes after them and not only rescues them but takes everything that the Amalekites had.  He splits up the spoil with all his men and has enough to send generous gifts to all his friends in Judah..

Back at the battlefield, the Philistines chase down Israel and Saul is wounded.  He is afraid of what the enemy will do and asks his armor bearer to kill him, but the boy cannot do it, so he falls on his own sword.  His sons are also killed in battle.   The Philistines display Saul's head and body on a wall, along with his sons'.  "Valiant men"  of Jabesh-gilead hear about this and travel all night to retrieve the bodies, which they burn and bury appropriately.

And so ends the first book of Samuel. Israel is on the edge of its greatest days, yet everything is dark and frightening.  If they could see ahead just a few years, they would be greatly encouraged... but then we know that further down the road, disaster would strike again and again.  We are told that all that has been written here is for an example for us. Saul's lack of spiritual integrity led to his failure as God's anointed king.  David, though not a perfect man by any means, had a heart that followed after God.  We too must choose.  It is not enough to have some knowledge about God.  We must choose to follow the Lord, to love Him with all of our heart and soul and mind and strength.  We may fail at times, even David did, but we must not give up.  Cling to Jesus, be an overcomer, persevere until the end.  He will not give up on us.

Father,  Jehovah Nissi,  You are our banner.  We must fight the good fight for our faith.  We cannot do it alone, with our own strength or will, but by Your Spirit. Cover us with Your wings, keep us as the apple of Your eye.  We turn to You and pray for Your help,  to live a life pleasing to You, to bear good fruit, to Know You more and more.  Thank You for salvation through Jesus Christ the Lord, amen.

1 Samuel 26  Saul hears that David is in a certain place and he brings an army of 3000 to search for him.  David hears that Saul has come again and he confirms it by sending out spies.  While Saul and his army are sleeping, David and his nephew Abishai walk into Saul's camp and take his spear and his water jug.  When they get to a safe distance away, David calls to Abner, Saul's cousin and leader of his army.  Once again, David had an opportunity to kill Saul, but he refused to touch the Lord's anointed king.

David does what is right.  Saul admits it and confesses that he has sinned against David.  Again they part ways.

Yet, the next thing we read in Chapter 27 is that David says to himself, " Now I will perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines..."
So, for the 2nd time, David goes to Gath, to the king Achish, the same one that he had pretended to be crazy before.  This time he takes over 600 soldiers and their families with him and convinces the king to let them live in the country. David and his family and his army go to live in Ziklag.

From there David and his men raid the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites, enemies of Israel; but he tells Achish that he has raided Judah, Jerhmeelites and the Kenites, people of Israel. Achish believed that David was making himself an enemy of Israel.  David never allowed one person to live in the places he raided, so that no one would be able to tell on him. This went on for a year and 4 months.

Again, we see these 2 sides of David.  He is honorable towards Saul, even though Saul wouldn't think twice about killing him.  But, he is deceptive and dishonest to Achish, while taking advantage of him.
It is interesting that during this time  with the Philistines there is no mention of the Lord.  Has David lost focus? Has he lost faith?

Father in heaven, we all face times of discouragement and disappointment.  Perhaps we have tried to run away, even as David did.  But You see us.  You are Jehovah-Jirah, the God who sees and provides and delivers.  There are no surprises for You.  You know our hearts and You will hear our prayers and cries to You.  Help us to hear Your voice, to remember that You never leave us or forsake us.  That You have a plan and it is always for our good, to draw us closer to Yourself.  To transform us into the people You want us to become. Thank You for being ever loving, patient and kind.  We lift our eyes to You, for You are "righteous in all Your ways and kind in all Your deeds."   You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.  You keep those who love You and You destroy the wicked. "My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever" ( Psalm 145)  Amen.

1 Samuel 23-25  These chapters tell of David's life as he hides from Saul.

In chapter 23 David and his men help deliver Keilah from the Philistines, but then have to leave because Saul was coming after him.  The men from Keilah would hand David over to Saul, and the Ziphites also were willing to hand David over.

In Chapter 24 Saul is pursuing David and when he goes into a cave, David and his men are hiding there.  David cuts off a piece of Saul's robe, but refuses to harm Saul.  He confronts Saul and humbles himself before Saul, swearing to never harm him. Saul leaves David alone for the moment.

In Chapter 25 we learn that Samuel died.  Also, we learn of David's encounter with Abigail, as she intervenes when her husband Nabal refuses to help David and his men.  Nabal dies and David takes Abigail to be his wife.  She is a wise woman who trusts the Lord.  Seems a very good choice for David.  He also marries Ahinoam,  and he was still married to Michal, Saul's daughter, although Saul had given her to another man.  In fact, it appears that later David ended up with at least 8 wives and many concubines. He had at least 20 children that are named.

David was far from being a perfect man.  We know that he loved the Lord. We know that he was considered a great king.  We know that the Lord had chosen David because of his heart for God.  Yet, we cannot think that David was anything but a fallen man, just like the rest of us.  What can we learn from David's story?  That no matter our bad choices, our failures, or our circumstances... God is in control.  He is able to do great things through us, even when we are flawed.  He does desire our full devotion and obedience, but He also knows our weaknesses and failures.  So thankful for a patient and perfect God, El Shaddai, the all-Sufficient and All bountiful Source of blessing.  When we are weak - He is strong. Praise God!

Father, we exalt You!  You are kind and loving and patient with us.  You provide and protect Your servants.  You call us Your own and You have made us Your children.  How wonderful You are!
Jehovah-Rophe - The Lord our Healer,  You are the remedy, the cure for our souls.  You are our rest.
We need You now. Come and fill our hearts again with the knowledge of Your Greatness.  Amen.

1 Sam. 21-22  David flees from Saul.  He first goes to Nob to see the priest, Ahimelech.  There, he asks for bread and for a weapon.  He takes the sacred bread and the sword of Goliath.  We find out later that he also has Ahimelech "inquire of the Lord"  for him.

David first tries to go to Gath, but has to pretend to be insane in order to escape from there.  Then he goes to the cave of Adullam.  When his whole family comes there, David takes his parents to Moab in order to keep them safe.  Then he is directed by the prophet Gad to go back to Judah.

Meanwhile Saul has begun his pursuit of David and blames his servants for not telling him about Jonathan's covenant with David.  Doeg the Edomite reports about seeing David with the priests at Nob. So Saul summons all the priests to come to him.  He accuses them of conspiring with David and kills all of them and all of their families, except for one son, Abiathar, who escapes and flees to David.

Here is David, the anointed king, chosen by God to lead Israel.  Yet,  he is in hiding from the same man who he had served faithfully, his own father-in-law.  Saul is going from bad to worse.  Killing the innocent priests is an evil and desperate act that reveals how hard his heart had become.   David humbly waits to see what God will do for him.  Saul doesn't even care about those that God has ordained as His own, the priests.

Faithfully waiting and trusting God.
Or, viciously plowing down anyone that doesn't do the evil that is in his heart.

We each choose what side we will be on.  David was being accused, chased, forced into hiding... Yet we know that he loved God and was living by faith in God.   Being on the Lord's side is not easy.  But, it is worth it.

Father God, Adonai, our Lord and Master, we are Your servants and You are our protector and provider. As we meditate on Your Word, will You show us how to live in obedience and trust, even as David did.  We know that our world is increasingly evil and that Your people are being pursued and persecuted around this world.  We pray for You to bring them through, to help, to heal, and to guide them to safety.  El Shaddai, bless Your people with great spiritual blessings, that they, that we ,will persevere until the end.  Be glorified in all the earth.  Be magnified in our lives, that the greatness of Your majesty be made known.  Through the blessed Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

1 Sam. 18  After slaying Goliath, David was brought to Saul's house and made a leader in his army.  David prospered, but remained humble.  He even continued to play the harp for Saul when needed.
Saul's feelings towards David were spiraling downward:
V 9 - Saul was suspicious of David.
V10-11 Saul tried to intimidate David by throwing spears at him.
V 12  Saul was "afraid of David"
V15 Saul "dreaded" David
V 17 Saul wished David would be taken out by the Philistines
V21  Saul wanted David to marry his daughter, who would be a snare( a noose/ trap) to him.
V 25  Again Saul sent David out to the Philistines.. hoping he would die.
V29  Saul was even more afraid of David " Thus Saul was David's enemy continually"

Even under these circumstances, David remained loyal to Saul and faithful to God.  We are told that David prospered and that he behaved "more wisely than all the servants of Saul."  In spite of Saul's attitude towards David,  Jonathan and all of Judah loved David.  The Lord was with David.  Everyone knew it and that was what frightened Saul the most, and what made everyone else jubilant.

Chapters 19-20  tell the story of Saul's anger and hatred of David, contrasted with Jonathan's love and devotion to David.  As Saul seeks to kill David, Jonathan protects him.  David and Jonathan make a covenant between them and the Lord.  Their friendship was stronger than the father and son relationship between Saul and Jonathan.

Father in heaven, may Your Name be honored and Your will be done.  May Your Kingdom come.  Jehovah, the self-existant One Who reveals Yourself to us in Your holiness, it is to You we come, praising You and thanking You for the provisions that You have made for us.  As You prospered David through the troubles with Saul, will You enable us to stand firmly in Christ through the troubles of our society.  May we walk in wisdom and faith, by Your Spirit. May we serve You with peace in our hearts by the strength that You give us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1 Sam. 17  David and Goliath.. one of the most well known Bible stories of all time is told here.  Saul and the army are camped on one side of the valley of Elah.  The Philistines are on the other side.  They send a giant of a man, over 9 feet tall, completely clothed with armor and a big mouth - to challenge and taunt the Israelites.  This happens every day for 40 days.  Every time that Goliath yells out his taunt, the army of Israel shakes and trembles, until the day that David comes to the camp.  David is the little brother and Eliab, the oldest, is unhappy with David's questions.  This doesn't stop David from offering to fight the giant.  David convinces Saul that he can face the giant.  He does so with only a sling and a stone.

We know the story.  We know that David slays the giant with one little stone and then uses Goliath's own sword to cut off his head.  We know that this was a turning point for the battle and that the Israelites prevail over the Philistines.  We know that David is made the head of Saul's army.  And we know that this leads to Saul's mistrust and hatred of David.

How is it that all of this happens?  David is still a young man,  probably a teenager.  David has absolute faith in the Lord.  He seems to have no fear of the giant, no fear of his brother's displeasure, and no fear of Saul, the king, whose place he has been anointed to take.  David does not seem to be after fame or power for himself.  His focus is on the Lord, " .. that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel."  David testifies of the Lord's deliverance of him in the past and is confident of the Lord's deliverance in the present.  It makes me wonder where he gained such faith.  God had a special plan and purpose for David and David was totally surrendered to God's will for him.

Father in heaven,  may our hearts be yielded to You today in complete surrender, just a David's was.
May we be unafraid of the giants in our land, those who taunt Your people, and those who are afraid to fight the enemy.  Give us the kind of faith that enables us to make a stand for the Name of the Lord. Thank You for Your Word and the Truth we can live by.  You are the Lord Almighty, El Shaddai, all sufficient and all bountiful, the source of all blessing.  You are Adonai, our Master, and we are Your servants, kept by Your Hand.  We look to You and wait on You, Lord.  Let Your will be done and Your Name glorified we pray. Amen

1 Sam. 16  The Lord tells Samuel to go to Bethlehem because He had "selected a king" for Himself from there.  The Lord specifically chooses David,  the youngest of his family. David is anointed right then and there and is filled with the Spirit of the Lord.  Later David is drafted as a minstrel and armor bearer for Saul. At this point Saul loved David, but this would be changed later when he realizes that David is a better man than he.

This chapter is just the introduction to David and to a new regime that will culminate in the King of kings, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, "the son of David".   David is hand selected by the Lord.  He is not chosen for his outward appearance, even though he is described as handsome,  but for his heart.
Later, when Saul's servant talks about David, he says, "Behold I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the Lord is with him." ( v18).  That is quite a reputation.


Father in heaven, we thank You for the way You know each of us individually.  You know what is in our hearts.  You lead us according to Your plans, not our own.  And when we walk in faith and obedience, You do mighty things for us and through us.  We desire to live for You and to walk in Your ways so that our reputations will reflect You - that others will be able to say, "The Lord is with him/her."  Anoint us with Your Spirit and flow through our lives, our service, our ministries, so that others may know You more.  We ask this in the Name of the Lord Jesus, amen.

1 Samuel 15  Saul has another chance to listen and obey God's commands, but he fails once again.  This time Saul is told to destroy all of Amalek.  But instead Saul spares the king, Agag, as well as the best of the animals.  The Lord sends Samuel to confront Saul and at first Saul lies saying that he did follow the Word of the Lord.  Then he blames the people for sparing the animals, saying that it was for the purpose of sacrifices to the Lord that they were spared. He didn't fool Samuel and he didn't fool God.

Samuel says this, " Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry."    Because of this deliberate rebellion and disobedience, Saul is rejected as king of Israel.  Although Saul begs for pardon, his attitude is still one of rebellion.   The Lord "regretted" making Saul king.  And Samuel went home grieving over Saul.

Rebellion and insubordination.  The Lord calls these worse sins than divination and idolatry.  In Deuteronomy 18:10 the Lord says that those who practice divination are detestable!  We know what He thinks of idolatry - The first 3 commandments address that sin.  The seriousness of rebellion, failing to heed the voice of God, failing to obey... is something we need to think about and carefully examine in our own lives.  How often do we rebel in our hearts?  How often do we fail to heed what God is telling us to do?  May God have mercy!

Father in heaven, forgive us this day for the stubborn and rebellious ways that we have acted towards You and towards Your Word.  Lead us in the ways of righteousness and obedience. Deliver us from evil.  Thank You for the salvation that we have in Christ Jesus!  He has cleansed us from all iniquity by the sacrifice of His body and the shedding of His blood.  Oh how we praise You! Bountiful grace and wonderful love You have shown to us.  We give You all our thanks and all praise.  Amen.

1 Samuel 13-14  Saul and Jonathan go up against the Philistines.  They are seriously out-numbered. The men of Israel are shaking in their boots.  Many are hiding in caves, thickets, cliffs, cellars and pits.  Many are deserting.  It is at this moment that Saul fails at the most important aspect of his reign as king of Israel, for Saul chooses to take it upon himself to offer sacrifices before the Lord.  Saul's character is revealed here - he lacked faith;  he lacked wisdom; and he lacked the fear of the Lord.

"The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, .." Samuel tells Saul.    Saul's kingdom would not be established forever.  It could not endure because Saul did not trust God enough to obey Him when it counted. 

Jonathan had more faith and wisdom than his father Saul.  He also had more courage.  It is Jonathan that takes the lead in battle against the Philistines, trusting the Lord to deliver them.  And it is Jonathan who gains the allegiance of the people when Saul seeks to put him to death for disobeying his command to not eat until the battle was won.

Saul's lack of faith in God and failure to obey His commands will lead to more and more problems in his life and in the future of Israel.  And so it is with all of us.  When we fail to trust God with our problems, when we fail to obey His Word, then we will be like Saul.  We will make foolish decisions and bluster through difficulties, trying to hide ourselves, our true selves, with outward bravado.
Saul surrounded himself with "any mighty man or any valiant man.." that he saw.  He didn't trust God to protect him.  He feared people more than he feared God.  His life decisions reveal the lack in his heart.

Father in heaven,  help us to hear Your voice through Your Word today.  May we learn to trust You more and to always obey Your Word, even when the circumstances around us seem the most difficult.
Increase our faith. Increase our love and make our hearts after Your own.  Forgive us for the times we fail You.  Deliver us from evil, from all evil. In the Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

1 Sam. 11 A group of Ammonites comes up against Jabesh-gilead in Israel.  The town cannot fight on its own, so they offer to surrender.  However, the leader of the Ammonites decides that their surrender would include gouging out the right eyes of all the people!   Jabsesh and the elders ask for 7 days to see if they can get some help and the Ammonites agree to that.  So messengers are sent out.

When the messengers come to Saul's town, we find out that he is living life as normal, even though he has been appointed king.  Saul hears the news and "Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily ... and he became very angry."   Saul rallies all of Israel to come and fight together, so they do and defeat the Ammonites.   This convinces everyone that Saul is the right choice for the kingship .  Saul gives glory to the Lord for this and offers peace offerings.

A new era has begun in Israel. Things are looking hopeful and people are rejoicing.

Chapter 12 Samuel has one more message for these jubilant people, a message that sobers them and focuses them back to the true source of deliverance and hope.   He begins with  personal accountability -  has he walked before them in honesty and justice and integrity?  They agree that he has.  Likewise - has God acted righteously towards Israel?  Yes, they would have to agree.  Yet they wanted a king..  a man, instead of the King, Jehovah, the self-existent, eternal, One; their God, the Supreme Ruler and Creator.  Samuel says, "... here is the king whom you have chosen..." 

They have chosen the lesser.  They have rejected the Greater.   And even then, the Lord still calls them to Himself.  Don't turn aside, follow the Lord, serve the Lord, listen to His voice and obey His Word. And He will still be your God.  "For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself." 

Father in Heaven,  our Lord and our God, holy is Your Name.  Thank You for making us Your people.  For redeeming us through the blood of Jesus, Your blessed Son.  Thank You for bearing with us through our wrong choices and weak faith.  We don't want the lesser things Lord.  We want to serve You and You alone. Eternal, never failing, always faithful  and gracious God, You are King Eternal and we worship You. Bless Your holy Name. Amen

1 Sam. 9-10 Saul is described as "choice and handsome";  more handsome than any other and taller than any other.  He would at least outwardly, make a king to be proud of.  The first thing we hear about Saul is when he is sent to look for his father's missing donkeys. ( Which by the way, he doesn't find!)  When he is about to give up looking, Saul's servant suggests that they go see the "seer" to help find the donkeys.  The perception of Samuel seems more like a fortune teller than a man of God, but Samuel is expecting Saul, for God had selected him to be the "prince" over Israel.

Samuel tells Saul of 3 signs that he will encounter that will prove to him that what God has said, He will do.  First, Saul will meet 2 men near Rachel's tomb who will tell him that the donkeys have been found and that his father is concerned for him.  Next, he will meet 3 men going to Bethel with kids, bread and wine, and they will give him 2 loaves of bread.  Thirdly, he will encounter a group of prophets and the Spirit of the Lord will come upon him mightily so that he will also prophesy.   All of these things happen just as Samuel said.  Still, Saul is not really comfortable with all that is happening to him.

Samuel calls together all of the people to come before the Lord at Mizpah.  He stresses that what is about to happen is a rejection of the Lord, but that He has chosen a king for them.  Using the casting of lots, the tribe of Benjamin is selected,  then from there the family of Matrite is chosen, and from there Saul is chosen.  But Saul hides!

The Lord has chosen Saul.  The people, for the most part, accept him.  Some "valiant men whose hearts God had touched went with him.  But certain worthless men said, 'How can this one deliver us?'"  

Why did God choose Saul?  He knew that Saul would fail.  There was no indication that Saul trusted in God or even knew Him .  In fact, it was Saul's servant who wanted to go to Samuel and had the money to give Samuel.  Saul himself had no aspiration to be king.  So, why did God choose him?
The people of Israel approved of Saul because of his outward appearance.  They didn't know anything about him but willingly accepted him as king. And, there is the beginning of trouble from the outset.

Father in Heaven, Your ways are mysterious to us sometimes.  We know that Your ways are perfect and that You are in control.  Help us to understand and to learn from Your Word so that we may walk carefully in Your ways.  The people of Israel did look at the outward appearance of Saul, but even then, You knew his heart.  Likewise, You know our hearts.  Your desire is for us to fear You, love You and walk in Your ways. You have chosen us, through Christ Jesus, to be Your children, to serve You and to cling to You always.  Complete in us Your full will, to Your glory and honor.  In Christ we pray, amen.

1 Sam. 8   Samuel is growing old and appoints his sons to be judges over Israel, but like Eli, he does not have sons that are worthy of such an appointment.  Samuel's sons are dishonest, taking "bribes and perverting justice."  The elders quickly dismiss them and request that Samuel appoint a king.   "Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all nations." (v5).

Samuel was unhappy about this request.  When he prays to the Lord about it, he is told to do what the people have asked.  The Lord is not surprised by this request,  He knew it was coming.  It proved two things:  1. Israel had rejected the Lord from being king over them.
             2. Israel had forsaken God and was serving idols.
God chose to give Israel what they thought they wanted,  but He warned them first:
A king would take their sons - to serve among chariots and horsemen.
A king would take their commanders to work in his fields and make his weapons.
A king would take their daughters to serve as perfumers, cooks, and bakers.
A king would take the best of their produce .
A king would take their servants and their donkeys to serve him.
A king would take their tithe from their flocks.
And finally,  a king would take them.. to be his servants.

There would come a day when Israel would cry out to the Lord because of their king, but Samuel says, "the Lord will not answer you in that day." ( v18)

The people refused to listen and still demanded a king.  They wanted a leader to fight their battles.  They forgot that it was the Lord who had delivered them time and time again. That the battle was His.
The Lord told Samuel, "Listen to their voice, and appoint them a king."

God is never surprised by the foolishness and ignorance of men.  He is never alarmed at our demands.  He does sometimes give us what we ask for... knowing that it is not the best for us, but willing to use even those things to bring about His will.  Ultimately the appointment of a king for Israel leads to the King of kings - Jesus Christ.  He will be king forever, not only for Israel but for all the nations.

Father in heaven, thank You for always loving us and working out Your own good will for us.  Thank You for the Kingdom of God, a kingdom that will never end.  May Your Kingdom come!  Father, will You help us to choose You in every aspect of our lives, to always be our King. May we serve You and love You will all of our might, with all of our heart, and with all of our soul.  It is in the Name of our King, Jesus that we pray, Amen.

2 Samuel 4-7 This is such an interesting sequence of events.  Samuel has become Israel's prophet and judge.  Eli and his sons are still the priests, but God is about to bring judgement on them for their sinfulness.

Israel goes into battle against the Philistines and they are losing badly. The elders decide that they should bring the ark of the Lord from Shiloh, so that "it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies." ( v3)   Amazing how ignorant they were about God and about His holy temple!  So, they send people to get the ark and Hophni and Phinehas came along.  When the ark entered the camp of the Israelites, there was a great shout and the noise reached the Philistines.   The Philistines "were afraid"!  They had more fear of God's Presence than the people of God did!
However, they decided to be courageous and fight, so they did, defeating Israel and killing 30,000 of Israel's soldiers.  Not only that, but they took the ark of God.  Hophni and Phinehas both died also.

When Eli was told that his sons were dead and that he ark was taken, he fell backwards and broke his neck. When Phinehas' wife heard that her husband was dead and that the ark was taken, she delivered her baby and died also. Her last words were to call her son Ichabod, " The glory has departed from Israel, because the ark of God was taken and because of her father-in-law and her husband." ( v21-22)

Chapter 5 is great!  The Philistines bring the ark of God into the "house of Dagon".  When they came in the next morning the idol was on its face before the Ark.  They picked it up, but the next day the same thing happened. This time the head and the palms of the idol were broken off.  The Lord began to smite the villagers with tumors.  So they sent the ark to Gath.  The people in Gath began to experience confusion and tumors broke out on the men of the city.  So, they sent the ark to Ekron.  The Ekronites would have nothing to do with this, so they decided to send the ark back to Israel!

The ark was placed on a wagon hitched to two cows and sent down the road.  It headed straight to Beth-shemesh. The Levites took the ark and offered the cows as burnt offerings.  However, some of the men of Beth-shemesh decided to take it upon themselves to look into the ark. The Lord struck down 50,070 men because of this sinful behavior.  They still were ignorant and rebellious against the Laws of God.  The people of Beth-shemesh contacted the people of Kiriath-jearim, who came down and took the ark to the house of Abinadab.   They chose Eleazar, Abinadab's son to be the priest and consecrated him.  The ark remained there until David came to bring the ark to Jerusalem.

These events brought Israel back to the Lord.  Samuel spoke these words, " If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods.. .and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone;  He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines." ( 7:3)  Israel agreed to do this.  They removed the idols, they gathered together to pray and fast at Mizpah.   The Philistines came up against them, but as they drew near, "The Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so that they were routed before Israel."  ( 7:10)

Samuel returned to Ramah, his hometown.  He built an altar to the Lord there.  From there he would travel to  Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah to judge Israel each year.

God is holy and He never changes.  People are still foolish and ignorant of Who God is and what His Word says. Where there is no fear of God, no honor given to Him, the Creator and Ruler of Heaven and earth, the wrath of God is revealed.  ( Romans 1).  Ungodliness, unrighteousness, suppression of the truth, denial of the evidence clearly seen in creation... leave men with no excuse.   God's judgement is clearly seen in our day, just as it was in the times of Samuel and Paul -
"God gave them over to the lusts of their hearts to impurity." ( Romans 1:24) - which leads to dishonored bodies.
"God gave them over to degrading passions..." (Romans 1:26) - which leads to unnatural and indecent relationships.
"... God gave them over to a depraved mind." (Romans 1:28) - which leads to "unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful... worthy of death." (Romans 1:29-32)

Father in heaven, You are holy, holy, holy!  May we never fail to honor You or forget Your Greatness.  Your desire if for us to be holy as You are holy and You have made a way for us by sending Your Son, Jesus Christ to redeem us.  Through Him we are declared righteous.. such amazing mercy and grace!  Praise and worship and thanksgiving we give to You , for You are God alone.
Lead us in Your paths, write Your Word on our hearts, be glorified in all that we do in Your Name.
We commit our ways to You Lord, we trust in You also, so that You will "bring forth Your righteousness as the light." Psalms 37:5.  We delight in You.  We rest in You.  And we wait patiently for You, by the power of Your Spirit.  Grant to us the desires of our hearts we ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

1 Samuel 3  Eli, the priest, almost blind, a failure as a father and a priest, is sleeping in the temple at Shiloh.  Samuel, a young boy, dedicated to the Lord by his mother, is actually sleeping in the place where the ark of the Lord is being kept.  We are told that  the "word of the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent".   The people, even the priests were not faithful to the Lord. In fact, there was little that God would be pleased with in Israel at that time.  Yet, He had a plan.

The Lord speaks audibly to Samuel 3 times, calling him by name.  Samuel is young, he has never heard the Lord's voice, in fact we are told that "Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord yet been revealed to him."   He was living in the temple and didn't know the Lord!  He was ministering in the temple, doing what Eli told him to do, yet he didn't even know the Lord.
Eli finally figures out that the Lord is calling Samuel and tells him to say, " Speak, Lord, for Thy servant is listening."

This very first message from the Lord to Samuel is a message of judgement against Eli and his family.  That had to be hard for this young man.  The person who was his caretaker, mentor, friend, father figure... was going to be judged and there would be no atonement for his sins.  Nevertheless, Samuel had to tell Eli the vision and Eli accepted the Word of the Lord.

This was the beginning of Samuel's role as the Lord's prophet. "Thus Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fail." (v19).  It also was the return of God's Presence in Israel. "And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, because the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord."  This is a true turning point in the nation of Israel. One young boy, hearing the voice of God, knowing the Word of God, and speaking the Truth of God... leads a nation back to God.

Father in heaven,  thank You for revealing Yourself to each of us through Your Word.  Thank You that we can know that Your Word is Perfect and never fails.  Thank You that You called us each by name even when we didn't know You, and You drew us near to Yourself.  You are amazing Lord! Thank You that You take the weak and lowly to use for Your purposes.  And thank You Lord that You can even use one such as me...  for I am Yours through the grace of our Lord Jesus. Be with us, even as You were with Samuel we pray.  In the Name of the Lord Jesus,  amen.

1 Samuel 1-2   I have always thought of Hannah as an older woman, like Sarah or Elizabeth, barren and past child-bearing age, but as I read this today, there is nothing that indicates that that is true. What we do know is that  she is a married woman who had no children.  Her husband has two wives, Peninnah and Hannah.  We are not told which one was the first wife, only that Peninnah had children and Hannah did not.  We are also told that Elkanah loved Hannah and that Peninnah harassed Hannah.  Not exactly a great family life.

Hannah was "greatly distressed".  Her distress grew more and more each year that she failed to have a child.  She wept and refused to eat even when she was given a double portion from the yearly sacrifices.  But, Hannah also learned how to pray.  When Hannah prayed, it was with her whole heart.  ".. but I have poured out my soul before the Lord", Hannah tells Eli.  ( v15) Hannah made a vow to the Lord and even though it must have been so hard, she kept that vow.  Samuel was born and when he was barely weaned, Hannah took him to the priest, Eli, and left him there in Shiloh, dedicated to the Lord.  Hannah was blessed with 3 more sons and 2 daughters, but she returned yearly to Shiloh with new clothing for Samuel, watching as he grew "before the Lord".  Samuel "was growing in stature and in favor both with the Lord and with men."  How Hannah must have rejoiced!

In contrast to Hannah and Samuel,  we read about Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas.  We are told that these sons  "were worthless men; they did not know the Lord and the custom of the priests with the people."  In 1 Sam. 2: "12-17 we read that the men forcibly took from the sacrificial offerings what they wanted, not following the commandments of God. They would eat the fat instead of burning it as an offering to the Lord... as described in Leviticus 3 " it is an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the Lord."  All the fat belonged to the Lord.  Hophni and Phinehas had no regard for the Law or for the people.   In verses 22-25 we are told that Eli heard what his sons were doing.  Not only were they taking what did not belong to them of the offerings, but they were immoral.  They were having sex with women that "served at the doorway of the tent of meeting."  They were evil men, not men of God.  The Lord convicts Eli. " Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me, by making yourselves fat with the choicest of every offering of My people Israel?"  They were showing disregard not honor for the Lord.  In fact the Lord says they "despise" Him.

Because of Eli's failure to make his sons do right in the office of priests, two things would happen:
First, both of his sons would die on the same day.
Second, the office of priesthood would be taken out of his family line. "But I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul; and I will build him an enduring house and he will walk before My anointed always." 

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name.  Lord God, You are holy and worthy of our worship and esteem.  May we be faithful to serve You in obedience and reverential fear.  We need to learn from Your Word, Lord God.  To be obedient to Your commands and precepts.  Not that we are under the Law of Moses, for we have been freed from the Law of sin and death,  but we are under the Law of Grace. We belong to You and we abide in Christ by faith, through grace.   Thank You for being patient and forgiving.  Your lovingkindness is unsearchable and unending.  Father, make us like Jesus, obedient to every Word that You speak.  We are weak, but He is strong.  We will cling to Him.
Fill us Holy Spirit for the day ahead, for the things that You desire to do through our lives, for we present our bodies, living and holy sacrifices, acceptable to God, our spiritual service of worship. Amen.

2 Cor. 11-13  Paul speaks what he calls "foolishness" and "boasting" - he examines himself, in writing so that the church in Corinth can know the truth of who he is and his motives for writing them this letter.  He also exhorts them to examine themselves in like manner.  Why?  He loves them!
"I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy..."
"..I am afraid, lest... your minds be led astray.."
"And I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls." ( 12:15)
"For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish..."
"I am afraid that when I come again Gad may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many.. who have sinned.. and not repented.." 

Besides the physical and spiritual trials that Paul lists in chapters 11-12, Paul says that the hardest thing for him is "the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches."   His heart was burdened for those that he had led to Christ and he couldn't bear the thought of them falling away from faith. Paul loved the people of Corinth and the other churches like a parent loves their children.  We can relate to that... We want nothing more than to know that our children are walking with Jesus, that their faith is real,  that they KNOW God.

But, like Paul, we can pray, we can hope, and we can examine our own lives and be the best examples we can possibly be;  we can even boast... but that does not mean anything unless those we are concerned about take initiative to examine themselves.  " Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you - unless indeed you fail the test?" ( 13:5)  We each must scrutinize our own lives, our own minds and hearts;  This examination should reveal if we are approved  or unapproved ( rejected)..  Do we have Jesus Christ in us? 

Look back at 12:20-21... the things that Paul lists here, things he does not wish to find - strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances,  unrepentance, impurity, immorality, and sensuality ... these are the qualities that are evidence of lives without Christ.

13:11 gives us a glimpse into some qualities that reveal the Presence of Christ - joy,  order (being complete) ; comforting one another,  being like-minded,  living in peace with one another;  the love of God for one another.

 Paul was able to keep going because Christ's grace was sufficient for him and His power made up for Paul's weaknesses.  He wanted the church to stop pretending that they were strong and to admit their own weakness.  They needed to honestly evaluate themselves. We must do this too.

Father in heaven, may the grace of our Lord Jesus, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all today.  Amen.