Are you a good friend? Would your best friends say that you are a good friend? If your best friends could fill out an anonymous survey evaluating your friendship, what would the results be? I suggest it needs to be anonymous because it is often very difficult for even our closest friends to tell usContinue reading “Have you ever felt like a fugitive? – 1st Samuel 20, Part 1”
Tag Archives: king david
Are you a good friend? – 1st Samuel 20, Preview
When my kids were younger, especially in upper elementary or middle school, some of them tended to label multiple friends as “best friends” at the same time. When I first heard them declare that Friend B was their best friend, I was confused. I questioned them, “I thought Friend A was your best friend.” Continue reading “Are you a good friend? – 1st Samuel 20, Preview”
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”
How (and why) a king was left writhing nude on the ground – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 4
King Saul is losing his mind because of the young upstart David. As we learned in the previous post here, Saul unsuccessfully attempts to kill David. In this post, we are studying 1st Samuel chapter 19. As the chapter begins, Saul now asks his son Jonathan to kill David. Saul likely knows how close JonathanContinue reading “How (and why) a king was left writhing nude on the ground – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 4”
When leaders lose power, and do anything to stay in power – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 3
When you are a leader and your role, position, and power is taken from you, it can be very difficult to give up that power. A quick glance throughout history shows kings, presidents, CEOs, pastors, and many other leaders unwilling to give up power. In our story of the monarchy in ancient Israel, as toldContinue reading “When leaders lose power, and do anything to stay in power – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 3”
My struggle with my basement – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 1
I don’t like the basement in my house. First of all, just getting into the basement is odd. The current placement of the basement steps is not original to the house. The previous owner did a near total rehab on the living areas of the house, and that necessitated moving the location of the basementContinue reading “My struggle with my basement – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 1”
Can you figure out this modern parable? – 1 Samuel 18 & 19, Preview
See if you can figure out the meaning of this modern parable: A missionary comes upon a Samoan, who is lying around on the beach. MISSIONARY: Look at you! You’re just wasting your life away lying around like that! SAMOAN: Why? What do you think I should be doing? MISSIONARY: Well, there are plenty ofContinue reading “Can you figure out this modern parable? – 1 Samuel 18 & 19, Preview”
Why David & Goliath is not an underdog story – 1st Samuel 17, Part 4
In 2018 I blogged a series titled “Characters” where I featured a number of famous Bible stories. One of those was David & Goliath from 1st Samuel chapter 17. Now in 2024, I am blogging through 1st and 2nd Samuel, and we’ve reached chapter 17. This week, I’m reblogging the “Characters” posts about David &Continue reading “Why David & Goliath is not an underdog story – 1st Samuel 17, Part 4”
Is your view of life upside-down? – 1st Samuel 17, Part 3
Photo by Trevin Rudy on Unsplash In 2018 I blogged a series titled “Characters” where I featured a number of famous Bible stories. One of those was David & Goliath from 1st Samuel chapter 17. Now in 2024, I am blogging through 1st and 2nd Samuel, and we’ve reached chapter 17. This week, I’m rebloggingContinue reading “Is your view of life upside-down? – 1st Samuel 17, Part 3”
Distraction from the main thing – 1st Samuel 17, Part 2
In 2018 I blogged a series titled “Characters” where I featured a number of famous Bible stories. One of those was David & Goliath from 1st Samuel chapter 17. Now in 2024, I am blogging through 1st and 2nd Samuel, and we’ve reached chapter 17. This week, I’ll reblog the “Characters” posts about David &Continue reading “Distraction from the main thing – 1st Samuel 17, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 