We’ve been studying the life of David a long time. We started this sermon series in 2024, about eight months ago. The first sermon was about 1st Samuel chapter 1, verse 1, through chapter 2, verse 11. You can read the first post in that series here, or look it up in your Bible. ThatContinue reading “The three songs in Samuel – 2 Samuel 22, Part 1”
Tag Archives: 1 Samuel
How to honor leaders who are dishonorable – 1 Samuel 31—2 Samuel 2:7, Part 4
During the devastating war between Philistia and Israel (1 Samuel 31), King Saul and three of his sons were killed. There is now a vacuum of leadership in Israel. What happens to fill that vacuum? In 2 Samuel chapter 2, verses 1-7, we learn that David finally becomes king! Well…kind of. David inquires of God,Continue reading “How to honor leaders who are dishonorable – 1 Samuel 31—2 Samuel 2:7, Part 4”
How a piece of torn cloth changed the world – 1st Samuel 23 & 24, Part 4
The story in 1st Samuel 24 about David choosing not to kill Saul in the cave, but instead secretly cutting off a corner of his robe, ends with a flourish. Saul leaves the cave, having no idea that he almost lost his life. After Saul has walked a short distance from the mouth of theContinue reading “How a piece of torn cloth changed the world – 1st Samuel 23 & 24, Part 4”
The single most important factor in making decisions – 1st Samuel 23 & 24, Part 3
David and his men have been on the run, fugitives being hunted by King Saul. But in the previous post we learned that God was protecting David, keeping Saul from finding him. Someone does find David, though. A friend shows up in 1st Samuel chapter 23, verses 16-18. David’s best friend Jonathan, Saul’s son, makesContinue reading “The single most important factor in making decisions – 1st Samuel 23 & 24, Part 3”
When making decisions, how much should others’ opinions matter? – 1st Samuel 23 & 24, Part 2
In our 28 years of marriage, my wife and I have found that big decisions are sometimes easier to make than small ones. Maybe it’s just us, but we have found that the significance of big decisions helps us have clarity about them. Big decisions are also quite rare. I’m not saying that buying aContinue reading “When making decisions, how much should others’ opinions matter? – 1st Samuel 23 & 24, Part 2”
How to overcome jealousy – 1 Samuel 18 & 19, Part 5
What in the world can we learn from 1st Samuel chapters 18 & 19? In this post early in the series, I wrote about Jonathan’s generous act of friendship. And because next week we’ll return to David and Jonathan’s friendship in chapter 20, in today’s post, I’d like to focus on another theme in chaptersContinue reading “How to overcome jealousy – 1 Samuel 18 & 19, Part 5”
What to do when there is a power imbalance in your relationships – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 2
Who is the most powerful or wealthy or famous person you know? I know a state senator, and he’s often in the news. We worked together for three years right after college, we were in a Bible study together, spent a lot of time together. But it’s been a while since we hung out orContinue reading “What to do when there is a power imbalance in your relationships – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 2”
The musical therapist who treated spiritual oppression – 1st Samuel 16, Part 4
Does God control evil spirits and sends them to torment people? In the previous post which mentioned 1 Samuel 16 verse 14, we learned that “Saul had an evil spirit from the Lord that tormented him.” That’s not how I think about God! Does God send demons to do his bidding? That’s what Satan isContinue reading “The musical therapist who treated spiritual oppression – 1st Samuel 16, Part 4”
How do you identify a good leader? – 1st Samuel 16, Preview
Are you racist? Of course not, right? (And why am I talking about racism? Isn’t this a post about picking good leaders? It is a post about picking good leaders, but stay with me. We’ll get there.) That’s how I would have answered about myself, “No way! I am NOT racist.” Then I took the ImplicitContinue reading “How do you identify a good leader? – 1st Samuel 16, Preview”
What is true repentance? – 1st Samuel 15, Part 4
In the darkening events of 1st Samuel 15, Israel’s King Saul did not obey God, and now God declares that Saul is rejected as king. That gets Saul’s attention. In verse 24, Saul says to the prophet Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the menContinue reading “What is true repentance? – 1st Samuel 15, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 