It was one year ago, May 6, 2023, that Prince Charles III of England was crowned King Charles (though he had acceded to the throne the previous September 22, when his mother, Queen Elizabeth, passed). Charles had been waiting for that moment for a long time. When his mother became queen, Charles was 4 yearsContinue reading “I just can’t wait to be king – 1st Samuel 8-10, Preview”
Tag Archives: 1st samuel
How to rightly submit to God – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 5
After the first three chapters of 1st Samuel focusing on Samuel’s birth and childhood, we’ve now read through more chapters, 4 through 6, with no mention of Samuel. Where is Samuel through all the craziness of the Ark of the Covenant’s capture? The narrative doesn’t tell us, so we can safely guess that during thoseContinue reading “How to rightly submit to God – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 5”
The mysterious events around the Ark of the Covenant – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 4
Does the Ark of the Covenant have power? In the previous post, we learned that the Israelites thought all they needed to do was bring the Ark out to the battlefield, and God would give them victory over the Philistines. We learned the Israelites were wrong. Instead of the Ark destroying the Philistines, the PhilistinesContinue reading “The mysterious events around the Ark of the Covenant – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 4”
The arrogance of Israel’s super weapon – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 3
After a stinging defeat at the hands of the Philistines, the elders of Israel have a plan to strike back. It’s their secret super weapon. Why they didn’t bring out the weapon in the first place, we don’t know. But now they do, and the super weapon has a profound effect on the Philistines. Let’sContinue reading “The arrogance of Israel’s super weapon – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 3”
Is God to blame for the times life goes wrong? – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 1
Did you have a spiritual crisis and turn to God in grief, “Why Lord?” when a container ship hit the Key Bridge in Baltimore, and six people lost their lives? You were likely saddened and even appalled. My guess is that the disaster was like the many, many other disasters that happen so frequently; theyContinue reading “Is God to blame for the times life goes wrong? – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 1”
Can we learn anything from Indiana Jones about the power of the Ark of the Covenant? – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Preview
I suspect most of you have seen one or more of the Indiana Jones films starring Harrison Ford. In the films, Ford plays Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones, a professor of archaeology who has numerous adventures wearing his famous fedora and wielding a whip. In the first film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, “Indy” tries to stopContinue reading “Can we learn anything from Indiana Jones about the power of the Ark of the Covenant? – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Preview”
How humility is the foundational posture to hear from God – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 4
As we saw in the previous post, God speaks directly to Samuel. But why? God does not speak directly to the priests Hophni or Phineas. God does not speak to their father, the priest Eli. In today’s post, we learn how Samuel put himself in a position to hear directly from God. But first, weContinue reading “How humility is the foundational posture to hear from God – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 4”
The primary characteristic of a disciple of Jesus – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 2
What do you think is the primary characteristic of a disciple of Jesus? Think about it a moment. There are numerous potential answers. You might even think of biblical passages that might provide some answers. I think the story that we’ve been following this week on the blog, a story found in 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a,Continue reading “The primary characteristic of a disciple of Jesus – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 2”
Are our lives so noisy we cannot hear the voice of God? – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 1
Microsoft has the Guinness World Record for the quietest room. It is located at their headquarters in Redmond, Washington. It is so quiet that people are said to only be able to stand a few hours in it. They first hear their heart beating. Eventually they can hear their blood flowing and bones moving. Eerie.Continue reading “Are our lives so noisy we cannot hear the voice of God? – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 1”
True or False: When you’ve heard from God, it wasn’t actually God – 1st Samuel 2:12-4:1, Preview
A couple years ago I taught a theology course for Lancaster Bible College, and one of the books students were required to read is Good News for Anxious Christians: 10 Practical Things You Don’t Have to Do by Philip Cary. As I read the book in preparation for the class, at times I was nodding in agreement,Continue reading “True or False: When you’ve heard from God, it wasn’t actually God – 1st Samuel 2:12-4:1, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 