1 Sam. 18-20

When the young maidens sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands,” a bitter jealousy took hold of Saul. He saw his hold on power slipping away. God’s Spirit had departed from Saul and now rested upon David. This drove Saul to rage whereby he plotted continuously to murder David. When leaders begin to lose power they’ve held for so long, they resort to desperate measures to retain their power.

To me, this is a good argument for term limits in government positions of control. In my opinion, entrenched leaders in our nation’s legislative bodies should be refreshed before they become so power and control sluggish. A healthy voting strategy is, “When in doubt, vote the incumbent our.” (Sorry to be political.)

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn. [Pr. 29:2]

1 Sam. 17

David was just a shepherd boy. He obviously got the short end of the stick in contrast to his older brothers who were preferred for war. They were a part of Saul’s army that was attempting to stop the aggression of the invading Philistine army. Goliath, the Philistine champion warrior taunted the Israeli army daily, challenging that an Israelite champion duel him for rights to victory. Everyone in the Israeli army was afraid, including King Saul. David wouldn’t have it. He accepted the challenge and skillfully defeated the giant with a sling and a rock. He had no armor to protect him. He DID have God’s power through faith and trust in His Name.

As an administrator at Trinity Christian School, I often would think, “I am not capable to be the leader of this school.” Instantly, I would put both hands in the air in praise and prayer and declare, “I can do ALL THINGS through Christ Jesus Who strengthens me.” God’s courage and wisdom would immediately transform my thinking, enabling me to proceed to attack whatever problem was confronting me. I proved it everyday for 16 years.

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” [1 Sam. 17:45]

1 Sam. 15, 16

When God asked Samuel to go to the house of Jesse, He didn’t yet tell him which son to anoint king. As he went, God would progressively reveal His will to the prophet. Sure enough, there was a process of finally selecting David. A lot depended upon Samuel’s ability to hear from God about each specific step of the required obedience.

A lot of life is like that … you take the obvious steps God places in front of you and trust Him to show you what to do when you arrive at His selected destination. It takes the “hearing of faith.” Your brain is similar … when you are midway through a project, your own brain will unveil solutions in a progressive manner. From experience, you begin to have confidence that solutions will present themselves mid-course. That makes for adventurous, exciting journeys in life. Have faith.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence to things not seen (yet). [Heb. 11:1]

1 Sam. 13, 14

Saul was continuously disobedient to the Lord. Whenever the situation became fearful, he would resort to carnal understanding rather than abide in a faith posture. He expressed to Samuel that, “The Philistines are going to attack me here in Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked the Eternal One to favor us. So I took matters into my own hands—I didn’t want to—but I offered the burnt offering myself (rather than follow official Kingdom protocol by having Samuel do it).” [1 Sam. 13:12 VOICE]

Often we get into stressful or challenging situations and rely upon our own experience, rationale, or resources to find a solution. At that point we should admit our mistake, stop, and pray to ask God for help.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge God and He will direct your steps. [Pr. 3:5,6]

1 Sam. 11, 12

After anointing Saul king and at a ripe old age, Samuel relinquished the leadership of Israel. In his parting remarks he asked, “Who have I cheated, whose ox have I taken, who have I oppressed or defrauded? If you think I have taken a bribe, I will repay it.” His integrity and character were faultless. Probably his greatest fault was that he had been a negligent father. (Many in ministry put their calling above devoting sufficient effort to raising their family.)

Leaders and pubic officials should be very cautious before receiving any side-line bonuses or gifts because of their position. If it is given with the right motive, there will be no strings attached.

Don’t accept bribes. Judges are blinded and justice is twisted by bribes. [Ex. 23:8 CEV]

1 Sam. 8-10

Saul was commissioned by his father to find two donkeys that had run away. He and a servant had exhausted their search. The servant suggested they consult the prophet, Samuel, to let God help them find the animals. Sure enough, Samuel knew where they were and predicted their capture. What’s more, God gave Samuel the insight that Saul was to be Israel’s king. God gave Samuel the job of anointing Saul.

Also called a seer, Samuel possessed a unique ability to know the future as was necessary to fulfill God’s plan. This was a gift of God. The Lord knows the future like He knows the present and the past. He can give this knowledge to people as He deems fit. Although this gift and operation of His Spirit has been misused, it still exists. [Eph. 3:5; 4:11]

1 Sam. 5-7

God’s destructive oppression and punishment can fall upon His enemies. Nations that troubled Israel incurred this penalty 24/7. For instance, the people of Ashdod were afflicted with hemorrhoid tumors, causing a great panic. Yuk! (God can hit you where it hurts)

Our concern should NOT be with those who trouble us. They are probably already experiencing some form of pressure from God. Hopefully it will lead them to repentance and a place in His Kingdom where they can begin receiving from His hand of provision. and blessing.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. [2 Cor. 2:14-16]

1 Sam. 3, 4

On a very significant night, God began speaking to the boy Samuel by calling his name. Eli got it right this time. He instructed Samuel on how to respond to the Lord’s voice. The key was listening.

Samuel went on the become God’s spokesman to the nation of Israel.

Wise parents keep their children near to God’s voice … reading the Bible to them, taking them to church and keeping them in children’s activities at church, cultivating a home atmosphere where prayer and praise are encouraged, telling them Bible stories to build their faith etc.

“Blessed is the man that heareth Me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of My doors.” [Pr. 8:34]

1 Samuel 1, 2

Hophni and Phinehas, Eli’s sons, were scoundrels. Eli had failed at raising them. They defiled the Lord’s altar by seducing female worshipers and corruptly taking the prime selections of meat offered for themselves. They were good at using the priesthood as an opportunity to advance themselves. (Sadly, this practice still happens TODAY in churches)

Eli paid a dear price for neglecting to raise his sons properly. His whole family in essence was cursed by God. Samuel was raised up by God to become what Eli’s sons had failed at.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. [Pr. 22:6]

Ruth 3, 4

Naomi knew Boaz was a diligent man. After Ruth had followed her mother-n-law’s instructions to procedurally make herself available to Boaz to be her kinsman redeemer, Naomi disclosed, “This man won’t rest until he has settled this matter today.” He obviously had the reputation of being a direct and efficient businessman. It was as she had predicted; he forthrightly secured his right as kinsman-redeemer to have her in marriage. Historical references allude that he was around 80 and she, 40.

Diligence is an honorable character quality. A less diligent man may have squandered the opportunity to find a place in the bloodline of King David and King Jesus.

Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth. [2 Tim. 2:15 ASV]