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1 Samuel 17b Commentary We can observe that the Spirit of God is behind all the deliverances for Israel. We find the same statement with just about every judge: The Spirit of the LORD came upon him… David isn’t different. King Saul’s good early days weren’t different. So we find ourselves in familiar territory whenContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 17b Commentary”

1 Samuel 17 Commentary See what difference the anointing makes! A freshly anointed Saul had burned with anger when he was told about Nahash’s threats on Jabesh Gilead. Nahash’s Ammonites were a formidable force. The Spirit of the LORD had come upon Saul so powerfully that he feared nothing and advanced against the Ammonites. WithoutContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 17 Commentary”

1 Samuel 16b Commentary “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.” Could it be that the great prophet was tempted to consider candidates based on their appearance? And who wouldContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 16b Commentary”

1 Samuel 16 Commentary When the LORD speaks to Samuel about the next king, you sense in the tone that Samuel was deeply affected by Saul’s downfall. It was a father’s sorrow, but the LORD doesn’t want us to dwell in disappointments. The all-knowing God had been raising David for this very purpose. Samuel isContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 16 Commentary”

1 Samuel 15 Commentary. Saul sets up a monument in his own honor. This would be a fitting title to this chapter. But it’s not the most important moment.“I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” These words from the LORDContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 15 Commentary”

1 Samuel 14b Commentary Chapter 14 tells us a lot about Saul’s poor religion. He says in verse 19, “There’s no time to consult the LORD.” Unbelievable! But look at Jonathan, he understands everything and knows the LORD is at work. The enemy army (the Philistines) melts away because of Jonathan’s intercession. The LORD actsContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 14b Commentary”

1 Samuel 14 Commentary In Chapter 13, we noticed how Saul shook with fear because the Philistines assembled against him. It is actually Jonathan, his son, who had initiated this trouble by attacking a Philistine outpost. In Chapter 14, Jonathan’s faith is on display again.He attacks another Philistine outpost, killing 20 men, all by himself.ContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 14 Commentary”

1 Samuel 13 Commentary. We can compare Chapter 11 and Chapter 13. They are exactly the two different ends of the magnet. In Chapter 11, Saul is the hero whom the LORD empowers to overcome Nahash’s military machinery. Under the influence of the Spirit of God, Saul fears nothing and advances against the Ammonites atContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 13 Commentary”

1 Samuel 12 Commentary. God has been Israel’s king all this time. He has been a very good king. He has rescued the nation from many troubles. But why has Israel asked for a king? The great prophet cannot understand. He looks into the history books. He finds nothing but generosity and care. Yes, deliverancesContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 12 Commentary”

1 Samuel 11 Commentary. You would wish Nahash the Ammonite was joking. He wasn’t. These times were marked by extreme brutality. From the N.I.V. Bible notes, we learn that Nahash had inflicted similar brutality on the Trans-Jordan tribes of Reuben and Gad. His presence in the West seems to be a continuation of the same.ContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 11 Commentary”