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1 Samuel 6 Commentary You wonder why the Philistines kept the Ark for such a long time. The guess is that they reckoned keeping Israel’s god in captivity amounted to disarming Israel. Without this god, Israel was impotent, so they must have thought. The Philistines shared the same primitive and sinful mentality with Israel thatContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 6 Commentary”

1 Samuel 5 Commentary The battle between Israel and the Philistines is ended. The Philistines emerge victoriously. Israel is left licking her wounds while burying her dead. The Philistines take with them what they think is Israel’s defeated god – the revered Ark of the Covenant.Events in this chapter are important for those engaged inContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 5 Commentary”

1 Samuel 4 Commentary Eli dies. His two sons, the wicked priests, Hophni and Phinehas, also die. The Ark of the LORD is captured. 34,000 soldiers die in battle. A son is born to Phinehas’ wife. He is named Ichabod, meaning, ‘the Glory has departed from Israel.’ Then Phinehas’ wife dies. Eli’s death is causedContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 4 Commentary”

1 Samuel 3 Commentary In those days, the word of the LORD was rare. Probably because there was no one to listen. Israel’s spirituality was at its lowest, typical of the time of the Judges. Yes, the word of the LORD is rare even at the House of the LORD at Shiloh! But the LORDContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 3 Commentary”

1 Samuel 2 Commentary Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the LORD God. This cannot be good news! The Book of Samuel has the color and mood of the Book of Judges. The priesthood failed. Not too long from now, the kingship will also fail (under King Saul). Samuel is a Moses-like figure whomContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 2 Commentary”

1 Samuel 1 Commentary. What may easily escape our attention is the fact that the great prophet Samuel was a Nazirite. Like Samson, his mother never used a razor on his head. He was dedicated to the LORD God all his life. Like Manoah’s wife, Elkanah’s wife, Hannah, could not have children. The women areContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 1 Commentary”

Ruth 4 Commentary.“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 NIV “Ancients times” may be a reference to the times of the Judges. It couldContinueContinue reading “Ruth 4 Commentary”

Ruth 3b Commentary What is the role of a man in a woman’s life? Chapter 3 is rich in pointers to answering this all-important question. A man protects; a man provides. A man covers. This is Naomi’s view of Ruth’s marriage to Boaz. Indeed, this is Boaz’s view. In this chapter, “Will you marry me?”ContinueContinue reading “Ruth 3b Commentary”

Ruth 3 Commentary.Naomi comes close to the LORD’s statement that it is not good for a man to be alone. She reckons the time has come for her to find a home for Ruth, where she would be cared for. When a mother seeks a husband for her daughter, her number 1 concern is theContinueContinue reading “Ruth 3 Commentary”

Ruth 2b Commentary Both Boaz and Naomi address Ruth as “my daughter”. It shows acceptance and affection. A daughter you have by choice is one who has earned it! Now we can meet Boaz. He is described as a man of standing in the community. He is also a good man, but importantly, a godlyContinueContinue reading “Ruth 2b Commentary”