Saul was out of control! He was trying to kill David, the person God has chosen to be the next king of Israel. In fact, he was determined to do this. He personally tried to kill him (18:10-11,19:9-10), he put David in a situation where he thought there was a good chance he’d be killed (18:12-17), and thenContinue reading “When The Spear Is Pointing At You”
Category Archives: 1 Samuel
Two Kings And The School Of Suffering
It would be hard to read 1 & 2 Samuel (originally just one book), without getting the idea that the writer’s intent is to convey the events leading to a monarchy in Israel. Even more to the point, he would have us to understand how the Davidic kingship was established. That being the case, we see this theme pursued and developed through atContinue reading “Two Kings And The School Of Suffering”
It’s A God Thing (2)
There’s more to be said about discerning God’s activity in our world. James tells us that every good thing comes from Him (1:16-17)—can’t we just say that all good things are God things? We can if we’re saying that we recognize that He is the ultimate source of all our blessings. I think that’s not onlyContinue reading “It’s A God Thing (2)”
It’s A God Thing (1)
It’s a done deal that David is to be the next king of Israel. He is a man after God’s “own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). No less than Samuel the prophet showed up at his house to anoint him. It doesn’t get any more definite than that! Of course the current king, Saul, is none too happy about thisContinue reading “It’s A God Thing (1)”
What About The Amalekites? (3)
Understanding that God doesn’t punish the innocent is helpful, but it doesn’t completely clear things up, does it? In fact, it just merges us into the much larger question: Why do the innocent suffer have to suffer at all? Why doesn’t God simply punish the wicked and spare the righteous? Wouldn’t that send a much clearer message toContinue reading “What About The Amalekites? (3)”
What About The Amalekites? (2)
A look at the text God tells Samuel, “I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt,” (v. 2). You can read about this in Exodus 17:8-16 and Deuteronomy 25:17-19. Saul observes this part of the command quite carefully as he separates the Kenites from the Amalekites (v. 7). Whatever else then isContinue reading “What About The Amalekites? (2)”
What About The Amalekites? (1)
What are we to do with texts like 1 Samuel 15:3: Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys. How are we to understand them? A few things seem clear. The first isContinue reading “What About The Amalekites? (1)”
Humble Hannah
When you’ve finished reading about the remarkable Moabite woman named Ruth, if you turn the page you are immediately introduced to another worthy woman by the name of Hannah. Like Ruth, her story is meant to be tied into the monarchy of Israel. We’re to understand that the great kings of Israel had their beginnings in theseContinue reading “Humble Hannah”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 