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 MoreTag Archives: First Samuel
Disintegrating 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.
Read More“A Very Present Help”
David had reached the point in life where some people think of taking their own lives. He was so far down the ladder of despair that he’d reached the bottom rung. The last stop. The place where you either jump off into oblivion or you cry out to God for His forgiveness. For rescue.
Read MoreHe’ll Handle It
Mission accomplished! Everybody wins. David and his men go back full of food and all the wiser. Fantastic! Abigail goes home, and her husband puts his arm around her and says, “Honey, thanks. You’re a great lady . . . more precious than rubies.” No. I wish it said that. On the contrary.
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