Saul’s disobedient actions involved at least three major errors. First, kings weren’t supposed to offer sacrifices on behalf of the community. Kings could offer sacrifices for themselves, but never for the nation.
Read MoreTag Archives: First Samuel
“We Want to Be Like Everyone Else”
From the time that Joshua died until Saul took the throne of Israel, the Hebrew government was not a monarchy like most surrounding nations. Theologians refer to it as a theocracy—”God-rule.”
Read MoreDisintegrating Families
The temptation of any child of vocational Christian ministers is to see the work of the ministry as just another thing, just another religious occupation.
Read MoreWatching the Kids
Eli was a great preacher, a fine priest. As the high priest, he was responsible, once each year, to enter the Most Holy Place and offer an atoning sacrifice on behalf of the nation. No one else had that privilege.
Read MoreThe Voice of God
Eli and Samuel were probably taking their turn sleeping in the tabernacle to keep the lamp lit. They slept in little rooms or closets near that special area of God’s presence.
Read MoreIsrael’s Dark Setting
The setting is Israel before the glory days of King David. There has been a long period—a couple hundred years—of intermittent warfare, cycles of events during which Israel would suffer invasion followed by famine.
Read MorePrinciples vs. Precepts
What an epitaph! Not, “I found David to be a great warrior,” or, “I found David to be a faithful shepherd,” or, “I found David to be a brilliant king”—none of those things. It says, “I found David to care about the things I care about. He’s a man whose heart beats in sync with Mine.
Read MoreTake Control
Behind the great tragedy of Saul’s life is a very interesting analogy—an analogy between Saul’s death and Christ’s death. At first glance we might say, “What in the world would we find common to both Saul and Christ?” Actually, there are six analogies worth noting.
Read MoreYour Epitaph
What do you think those who survive you will write as your epitaph? How will your obituary read? What words will be used in the eulogy to sum up your life? Saul’s epitaph was a sad one, summing up the tragic life of this man who played such an important role in David’s life.
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