In the Book of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel we will encounter two extraordinary priests - Eli and Samuel - and two extraordinary kings - Saul and David. Eli and Samuel, Saul and David are us. Since the Christian is both priest and king, we need to study the lives of these biblical characters to make a choice day after day regarding which kind of priest and which kind of king we will finally be.
Good reading.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of Ruth Challenge – Day 21 – 1 Samuel 1 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”
15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. (1 Samuel 1:12-18)
Often times it is at the edge of our breakthrough that the most challenging tests appear. Hannah was about to get her breakthrough, God was about to answer her prayer to have a son, when she encountered her most challenging test. The man of God, Eli the priest, who was supposed to have spiritual discernment to assess her situation in order to help her, was the one who was opposing her prayer by accusing her of loose living (v. 12). How she responds was going to determine her future.
A key to success in prayer is the power of agreement. “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven,” said the Lord Jesus (Matthew 18:19). And because she stayed humble through her ordeal, she secured the agreement of the man of God, and she got her breakthrough. Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him. (v. 17)” Hannah and Eli agreed together, then heaven touched earth to bring Hannah the solution to her problem, she got her boy.
Try to be in agreement with your pastor, you may get the answer to your prayers sooner than expected.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of Ruth Challenge – Day 22 – 1 Samuel 2 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
in the Lord my horn[a] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.
2 “There is no one holy like the Lord;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
3 “Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the Lord is a God who knows,
and by him deeds are weighed. (1 Samuel 2:1-3)
Anyone who desires to increase God’s blessings in his life needs to start with gratitude and continue with gratitude. Hannah had a heart of gratitude to the Lord. She gave her best to the Lord because she was grateful. In 1 Samuel 1:27-28 she said, “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there “. Her generosity of giving her one son to the Lord was greatly rewarded. And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. (v. 21).
Hannah’s gratitude to the Lord was a combination of deeds and words. She gave to the Lord, and then she praised the Lord for what he had done for her, for his justice and mercy. “The Lord raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap and he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor (v. 8)”. Our praises make us realize that everything we are and everything we have are from the Lord. We don’t need to struggle, we don’t need to despair; everything is going to be fine. Since God is for us who can be against us?
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 23 – 1 Samuel 3 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me. ”Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel! ”Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (2 Samuel 3:6-10)
God is speaking to us all the time. However, when it comes to the voice of the Lord there are three important questions that we need to ask of ourselves. Can I hear the voice of the Lord? If I hear it, can I recognize it as such? When I know it is the Lord who is talking to me, can I listen?
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” There is no need to envy the prophets of the Old and the New Testament for the fact that God spoke to them. We as Christians has the Holy Spirit living inside of us to guide us, to teach us, to lead us in every decision of life. All we need is to learn to discern his voice and to listen.
Read the Bible, pray, listen to your local pastors and leaders, be actively involved in your church, God will use a multitude of channels to talk to you. When we learn to tune on God’s voice and to listen, our lives will never be the same again.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 24 – 1 Samuel 4 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
12 That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line and went to Shiloh with his clothes torn and dust on his head. 13 When he arrived, there was Eli sitting on his chair by the side of the road, watching, because his heart feared for the ark of God. When the man entered the town and told what had happened, the whole town sent up a cry.
14 Eli heard the outcry and asked, “What is the meaning of this uproar?” The man hurried over to Eli, 15 who was ninety-eight years old and whose eyes had failed so that he could not see. 16 He told Eli, “I have just come from the battle line; I fled from it this very day.” Eli asked, “What happened, my son?”
17 The man who brought the news replied, “Israel fled before the Philistines, and the army has suffered heavy losses. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” 18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and he was heavy. He had led[b] Israel forty years. (2 Samuel 4:12-18)
Only God’s justice is perfect justice, because he knows every situation perfectly. The Lord had given so many warnings to Eli and his two sons Hophni and Pinehas that they practically became agents of their own death. God was very patient with Eli’s family in spite of their wrong doings. He even went to the extreme of having their replacement a boy, Samuel, raised by that same family to teach them by example how to be faithful to the Lord, with no effect.
“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more (Luke 12:48). Every person that God puts in a leadership position must understand that in God’s service privilege comes with a lot of responsibility.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 24 – 1 Samuel 5 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon. 3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. 4 But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. 5 That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold. (1 Samuel 5:1-5)
This is a classic Power Encounter moment. The people of Israel were defeated not because God was powerless to defend them, but because of their sin. Theirs was a sin of presumption, they thought they could willfully disobey God’s laws, but at the same time enjoy his blessings. In the end, God had to show to the Philistines that he alone is God. The presence of the Ark of God in the temple of Dagon, the god of the Philistine, caused the destruction of that false deity. There is no power but of God (Romans 13:1b).
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 26 – 1 Samuel 6 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
19 But God struck down some of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy[a] of them to death because they looked into the ark of the Lord. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the Lord had dealt them. 20 And the people of Beth Shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from here?”
21 Then they sent messengers to the people of Kiriath Jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord. Come down and take it up to your town.” (1 Samuel 6:19-21)
In the book of Hebrews we read, “3 Behind the second curtain was a second section[a] called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant (Hebrews 9:3-4). At first sight, one could say that the content of the ark was very simple. But look can be very deceiving, the ark represented the very presence of God.
“Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God (v. 20)? Only Aaron and his descendants dressed with their special vestments were able to go into the Most Holy Place, and that only once a year. Without proper cover no one stood a chance, “For our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).” What are we to do? Like a fireman approaching a fire, we must clothe ourselves, we clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus, with his holiness and his righteousness. “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh (Romans 13:14).
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 27 – 1 Samuel 7 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.
12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer,[b] saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
13 So the Philistines were subdued and they stopped invading Israel’s territory. Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines. 14 The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to Israel, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites (1 Samuel 7:10-14)
All of us can say with Samuel “Thus far the Lord has helped us (v. 12).” No matter what our situation, the Word of God commands us to count our blessings and to praise the Lord, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6).” Indeed God deserves our praise for he has done great things for us. Our assurance is that, what God starts, he is willing to bring to completion. “We keep our eyes on Jesus, the he founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).”
Not only did God keep the enemies of the children of Israel at bay, but he initiated a program of restauration for them. What the adversary has stolen from us, in due time God will give it back to us. For with God we can never lose. “Surely God goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalms 23:6).”
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 28 – 1 Samuel 8 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
19 But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” 21 And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord. 22 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.” Samuel then said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.” (1 Samuel 7:10-14)
Prayer is the most powerful act that one can perform in this world. Every time we come to God with our needs, and with our desires we get an answer. However, the prayer of petition which is not mixed with humility can be a dangerous undertaking, for “we do not know what we ought to pray for (Romans 8:26).” Therefore we should be very careful not to force an answer from the Lord, because we may get what we are asking for. ““And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king (v. 22).”” It was indeed a sad day in Israel.
How do we get out of this dilemma? First, we need to welcome the help of the Holy Spirit who intercedes for us and helps us to pray according to the perfect will of God. “… but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).”
Second, we need to pray in the Spirit. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people (Ephesians 6:18).” “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20).”
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 29 – 1 Samuel 9 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
15 Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: 16 “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.”
17 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”18 Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”19 “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart. 20 As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?”
21 Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”(1 Samuel 9:15-21)
God is faithful to his people even when they are not. God is merciful and gracious to his people all the times. Even after the people had rejected God, and had demanded a king to rule over them, God graciously provided them a King to deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. Why? God said, “I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me (v. 15).” God has compassion for them. Have you cried to the Lord lately? God's mercy reaches out to all of us. Every child of God can depend on God’s grace [his unmerited favor] for his blessings.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 30 – 1 Samuel 10 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
9 As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. 10 When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. 11 When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
12 A man who lived there answered, “And who is their father?” So it became a saying: “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 13 After Saul stopped prophesying, he went to the high place. (1 Samuel 10:9-13)
In order for Saul to fulfill his calling to be king of the people of Israel, God’s people, God had to transform him. Saul needed the empowering of the Spirit of God. This passage reminds us of the directives given by the Lord in Acts 8:1 to his disciples before his ascension to heaven, “ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).” The Spirit of God empowered Saul for a specific task, to be king of Israel. The Holy Spirit of God empowers us to the task of witnessing to Jesus to the ends of the earth. The church, the body of Christ, needs to fulfill that task.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 30 – 1 Samuel 11 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
12 The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.”
13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.”
14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration. (1 Samuel 11:12-15)
Can you forgive an offense? In this passage Saul shows one of the best qualities of a true leader of the people of the Lord, that of overlooking an offense. There are two determining factors for people to forgive quickly and willingly. First, they must know for sure that God is protecting their back because often unforgiveness is the result of fear. Second, they must recognize that all they have and all they have accomplished came from the Lord.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 1 – 1 Samuel 12 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” (1 Samuel 12:20-25)
Prayer is the most important activity that we can perform. The word of God command us to pray continuously, “Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).” We may not see the point in continuing to pray when we face with a very persistent problem such as changing the heart and disposition of people toward God. But as leaders, parents, teachers, we cannot stop praying for those that the Lord has put on our path no matter how long it takes. We should all remember Samuel’s determination to pray for the Israelites.
“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right (v. 23).”
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 2 – 1 Samuel 13 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. 10 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. 11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, 12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering (1 Samuel 12:20-25).
This story reminds us of the story in the Haitian folklore of Bouki who was put in prison for one year and one day. He spent one year in the prison, the day before his release, he tried to escape and got caught. Consequently, he was put back in prison for another year for trying to escape. When we fail to live in faith, we are tempted to act like Bouki. We give up at the last minute, at the very minute of our breakthrough.
How long should we wait on the Lord? As long as it takes to be in the will of God. Saul waited seven days, but he could not wait for the next seven minutes, “As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came (v. 10).” Why? Because of fear. He feared the Philistines, the enemies, and he feared the people, his friends. He had misplaced his fear. There is one fear that takes away all fears, it is the fear of the Lord. Had King Saul feared the Lord more than he feared his enemies and his friends, he would have avoided himself, his family and God’s people a lot of problems.
Don’t be afraid, have faith in God.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 3 – 1 Samuel 14 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright. 28 Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food this day.’” And the people were faint. 29 Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great.”(1 Samuel 14:27-30)
We need to choose our leaders very carefully because the decision of a leader has a great impact, positive or negative, on the lives of those he leads. Thus, no matter who the leaders are, the word of God tells us to pray for them, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Timothy 2:1-2).”
Saul made a rash vow that day that kept the people of the Lord from having a decisive victory over their enemies. There is a time to fast and a time to fight. Saul tried to combine fasting and fighting at the same time. It did not work. The people knew it was a bad decision, Jonathan knew it also, everybody knew it, except Saul. His vow made without proper thinking almost lead to a big disaster. Saul’s vow almost cost him the life of his favorite son, Jonathan. Only the love of the people for Jonathan saved his life that day.
Christians should trust God, have faith in him, and rely on his grace for all their needs. We don’t need to bargain with God, his grace [unmerited favor] is freely available to anyone who desires it.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 4 – 1 Samuel 15 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
22 But Samuel replied:
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”
24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord.” (1 Samuel 14:27-30)
The story of King Saul as described in this chapter is one of the saddest stories of the Bible. In Haiti such biblical leaders are called “Malfinis.” Saul started with humility but he finished up with pride. He might have forgotten that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble (James 4:6).” This story is a warning for all of us. We pray a lot for success, but how many of us can handle abundant success without being destroyed by that abundance?
The danger of pride is real in both material success and spiritual success. Apostle Paul had to rebuke the Galatians who started with grace, complete dependence on God, but at the end they wanted to rely on works, their own goodness. After God had granted to Saul a resounding victory on the enemies, the first thing that Saul did was to build a monument in his own honor (v. 12). Aren’t we often tempted to use the gifts that the Spirit gives us to build monuments in our own honor?
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 5 – 1 Samuel 16 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16:6-13)
Any man, no matter his spiritual attainment, can make mistakes. Samuel prejudged incorrectly in the case of Eliab (v. 6). Maybe Samuel remembered how the Lord had selected Saul as the king of Israel, he was taller than any of the others (1 Samuel 10:23-24). That choice was according to the people’s hearts. But this time the Lord was choosing a man according to his own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).
We should teach 1 Samuel 16:7 to every child so they can grow up with a healthy self-esteem in life. Every child needs to internalize the truth that “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (v. 7).” So put first thing first.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 6 – 1 Samuel 17 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
45 David said to the Philistine, “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. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:45-47)
We can try to fight out battles or we can let the Lord fight them for us. Anyway, the surest way to win is to let the Lord fight for us, “for the battle is the LORD’s (v. 47).” This means all kinds of battles. Don’t fight a sickness, let the Lord fight it for you. Don’t fight an addiction, let the Lord fight it for you. Don’t fight an enemy, let the Lord fight it for you. Your victory will be a testimony to the Lord, “and the whole world will know that there is a God in your life.”
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 7 – 1 Samuel 18 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. (1 Samuel 18:1-4)
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)” Jonathan and David knew something about friendship that only recently scientists start to understand, deep friendship is good for your health. “The more friends you have, the longer you might live. That, at least, is the finding of a study in Australia. Researchers tracked phone calls and personal contacts of 1,500 people. According to the study, people with more friends and confidants tended to live "significantly longer" than others. However, the key appeared to be making friends — not family. People whose network revolved around children and relatives didn't get any benefit at all. [1]”
This month is Thanksgiving month in our church. Please take the time to thanks God for your friends. And remember, it is not too late to develop some deep and lasting friendships. The church can be the best place to start.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 8 – 1 Samuel 19 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
18 When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. 19 Word came to Saul: “David is in Naioth at Ramah”; 20 so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied. 21 Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied. 22 Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Seku. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?”
“Over in Naioth at Ramah,” they said. 23 So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. 24 He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”(1 Samuel 19:18-24)
God is in control. He can change the hardest heart. Pray for the leaders of the nation.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 9 – 1 Samuel 20 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
41 After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most.
42 Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town. (1 Samuel 20:41-42)
The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it whichever way He wishes (Proverbs 21:1). We can learn a lot from Jonathan in surrendering our will to the will of God. Would you willingly give up your position to someone else if you knew that the Lord calls him to fill that position? Jonathan was the king in waiting. At the death of his father, King Saul, he was supposed to be the next king. But he did not see the purpose of his life as most people in that situation would. He had no jealousy, no hatred, no envy, he knew that God has chosen David to the next king, and that was all that mattered to him. Was it easy for him to think that way? I don't think so.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 10 – 1 Samuel 21 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
10 That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. 11 But the servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances: “‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”
12 David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. 13 So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.
14 Achish said to his servants, “Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me? 15 Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?” (1 Samuel 21:10-14)
Kouri pou lapli, tonbe nan la rivyè. People who have repented, who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior, and got baptized should never think that they could run back to the world for safety and protection. We may forget, but the enemy of our soul will never forget.
David fled from Saul to Achish king of Gath for protection. He had forgotten about the old enemies (1 Samuel 17:4), but the Philistines remembered too well that David was the one that the Israelites “sing about in their dances “‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands (v. 10).’” Kouri pou lapli, tonbe nan la rivyè!
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 11 – 1 Samuel 22 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
17 Then the king ordered the guards at his side: “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me.” But the king’s officials were unwilling to raise a hand to strike the priests of the Lord.
18 The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. 19 He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep. (1 Samuel 20:41-42)
Moun ki di men koulèv la, se li ki touye-l. In the Ten Commandments the Lord explicitly prohibits his people to bear false witness, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour (Exodus 20:16 ).” Being a false witness, telling on people can put in motion a chain of events with very bad outcomes for all parties. Doeg the Edomite misinterpreted the meeting between David and the priest Ahimelech, and reported it to King Saul. He literally became a murderer because of that false witnessing, being forced to kill with his own hands eighty-five priests of the Lord, by order of the king.
Christians need to refrain from all kinds of false witnessing activities, including gossiping. A seemingly innocent gossip can destroy reputation and lives.
16 There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. (Proverbs 6:16-19)
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 12– 1 Samuel 23 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
9 When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.” 10 David said, “Lord, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. 11 Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will.”
12 Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will.”
13 So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there. (1 Samuel 23:9-13)
Que sera, sera (Whatever will be, will be) is the attitude of many who have surrendered their will to the will of God? It shows in the lack of intensity of their prayer life. However, the four verses above are very challenging verses in regard to that attitude. They force us to ask very difficult questions. Is the future that God knows still conditional? Does foreknowledge implies foreordination? Anyway, what is the extent of human free will when it comes to God’s will?
The solution is that we must live a life of total trust in the Lord. To do whatever God asks us to do wholeheartedly and hope for the best. It is a very incomprehensible thought that God can give man the desire of his heart. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).”
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 13– 1 Samuel 24 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. 17 “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. 18 You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. 20 I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. 21 Now swear to me by the Lord that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.”
22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. (1 Samuel 23:9-13)
We discover that the greatest fear of Saul was that David “would kill off Saul’s descendants or wipe out Saul’s name from his father’s family.” This fear was a real fear, because kings of the heathen nations around Israel used to do such things. But it should not be so in Israel because kings in Israel were not above the law, they too were ruled by the Law given to God’s people at Sinai.
A smooth transition of power could have been made in Israel without bloodshed had Saul submitted himself to God’s decree. Unfortunately his pride and his fear kept him from obeying God. David spared the life of Saul out of his respect for God. And that attitude pleased the Lord very much, even Saul was forced to bless David. “When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone's way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them (Proverbs 16:7).
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 14 – 1 Samuel 25 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
32 David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. 33 May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. 34 Otherwise, as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak.” (1 Samuel 25:32-34)
David praised the Lord, the God of Israel, for having kept him from messing up his life big time. How many times we look back on our lives to thank God for having protecting ourselves from our own selves? A lot of times the enemy that we have met is us. David knew of God goodness manifested in keeping him from acting foolishly. In Psalms 23 he wrote, “He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”
Once we accept Christ as our personal Savior, we start carrying the excellent and powerful name of Jesus, we are called Christians. We should be very careful since the Lord can drag us in paths of righteousness because he doesn’t want us to bring discredit on his name that we carry.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 15 – 1 Samuel 26 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.”
22 “Here is the king’s spear,” David answered. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. 23 The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. 24 As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.”
25 Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph.”
So David went on his way, and Saul returned home. (1 Samuel 26:21-25)
Because David valued the word of the Lord he was ahead of his time. He was one of only a few people of the Old Testament who understood God’s grace. The Law said, “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot" (Exodus 21:24), but David behaved toward Saul as if he was listening to the truth about revenge taught by Jesus to his disciples.”You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[b] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:38).
Since David was able to forgive Saul and spare his life time after time because Saul was the Lord’s anointed, you and I have no excuse to keep grudges against our brothers and sisters in Christ and treat them unkindly. It is true that a pastor has the special anointment of ordination on his life, but we need to recognize that all believers have the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). And we are all the Lord’s anointed, anointed with the Holy Spirit of God. So we must treat each other with utmost compassion, respect and love.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 16 – 1 Samuel 27 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
Then David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.” 2 So David arose and went over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath. 3 And David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail of Carmel, Nabal's widow. 4 And when it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer sought him. (1 Samuel 27:1-4)
The last time David went to the enemy (1 Samuel 21:10-15) that turned out pretty bad. He was so afraid of Achish the king of Gath that he had to pretend being insane in order to get out of that bad situation. This second time the situation got worst. The man of God is now living with the enemy of the people of God and find himself in a situation of having to lie again and again in order to cover his wrong doings.
David made two mistakes at once. First, he neglected to inquire of the Lord about his decision. Maybe he knew the answer he would have gotten, “do not go.” Second, he forgot that lying is cumulative. One lie would inevitable create the necessity for more lies. David was turned into a murdered, unnecessarily killing every man and woman during his raiding sorties in order to cover his lies (v. 9).
What can we learn of that episode in the life of David? “David said in his heart,” the story tells us. The problem started there. We must listen to God instead of listening to our heart. Our heart can deceive us, only the word of God is true and infallible.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 17 – 1 Samuel 28 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. 4 The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” (1 Samuel 28:3-7)
When God delivered the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt, he brought them in front of the Red Sea, he opened it up, had them walk through it, and closed it behind them. After forty years in the wilderness, when the Israelites were ready to go to into the promise land, God brought them in front of the Jordan River, he opened it up, had them walk through it, and closed it behind them. Those two great deliverance miracles show that when it comes to the spiritual life God wants us to burn all bridges behind us.
Saul started well, but he ended badly. Saul had put the mediums and necromancers out of the land as per the laws of the Lord (Leviticus 19:31). But in his moment of trials, instead of repenting and searching the Lord with all his heart, King Saul turned back to works of darkness. He sealed his fate, his sons’ fate, and his army’s fate by consulting the medium (Leviticus 20:6). That was the last instance where King Saul demonstrated his lack of faith in the goodness and the mercy of God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 18 – 1 Samuel 29 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
6 Then Achish called David and said to him, “As the Lord lives, you have been honest, and to me it seems right that you should march out and in with me in the campaign. For I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords do not approve of you. 7 So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.” 8 And David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” 9 And Achish answered David and said, “I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ 10 Now then rise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who came with you, and start early in the morning, and depart as soon as you have light.” 11 So David set out with his men early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines went up to Jezreel. (1 Samuel 29:6-11)
From our reading of 1 Samuel 28 we know that Samuel and his sons were about to die in the battle, but David did not know that. He was on the verge of making the biggest mistake of his life by going to war with the Philistines against his own people, the people of God. Achish was eager to have David with him, David himself was eager to be with Achish (v. 9), but the commanders of the Philistines did not want David in the battle, so Achish was forced to send him back home. In all this thing, we can see the hand of the Lord directing the course of David’s life, leading him on the right path in spite of his short coming. God is sovereign, his mercy endures forever.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 19 – 1 Samuel 30 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul,[b] each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.” 9 So David set out, and the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed. 10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men. Two hundred stayed behind, who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor. (1 Samuel 30:6-10)
How did David strengthen himself in the Lord? By remembering God’s promises, God faithfulness, and God’s mercy toward him. We also can adopt the same attitude when we are faced with a very difficult situation. This time David took the time to seek God’s direction. “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.”
We may wish to have a clear way to inquire of the Lord as did David. But the Christian does not have to wish for such thing. It was way after David’s time that God spoke through the Prophet Jeremiah saying, “3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (1 Samuel 33:3). God will reveal to us everything that we need to know at the moment that we need it. The Holy Spirit is our infallible guide.
May the Lord richly bless you!
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Book of 1 Samuel Challenge – Day 20 – 1 Samuel 31 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)
Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3 The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. 4 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. 5 And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. 6 Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together. 7 And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them. (1 Samuel 31:1-7)
This story is the sad ending of Saul who started right with God, but because of disobedience lost God’s favor. The question is not how much God loves us, because God’s love for us is unchanging, eternal. God is love. The question is how much do we love God? The Lord Jesus gives us an objective way to gauge our love for him, “If you love me, keep my commandments,” he said (John 14:15). Do we love him, can we trust and obey?
May the Lord richly bless you!