Posts with the tag “1-samuel”

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 26—Verse 11The Lord forbid that I shall put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But take now the spear and the jar of water at Saul’s head and let’s go.Saul has been rejected by God and David has been anointed. Although Saul was still king and sought to kill David, David refused to put his hand to Saul and claim his God-given right to the throne. David trusted G...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 25—Verse 33Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand!Have you ever had to talk someone back from a cliff? Or has someone ever had to talk you out of doing something out of anger or spite or revenge? That’s what Abigail did for David. She discerned the negative emotions her hus...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 24-- Verse 5And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. David handled being wrongly accused and threatened with such humility. He refused to bring harm to Saul, even though he had every right to do so. He even felt guilty for considering to do harm to Saul, because he honored him. Even though David was deeply hurt, he chose...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 23--Verse 2Therefore David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”Reading about David it is interesting that he inquires of the Lord before he makes any big decisions. I think this would be a very beneficial practice for us. Before we make a choice let’s take it to t...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 22–Verse 22I have occasioned the death of all the persons of your father's house.We all know that we can suffer persecution for our faith. But what are you going to do when others have to pay the price for your faith? Are you going to apologize? Are you going to recant? Are you going to crumble? David didn’t. He seemed to know there was going to be a price associated...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 21—“To eat the showbread was to eat God’s bread in God’s house as a friend and a guest of the LORD, enjoying His hospitality…” (Meyer)We are invited into his presence to feast on the Bread of Life as his guests and friends. The twelve loaves of showbread were replaced each sabbath to always be fresh. God wants our fellowship with Him to be fresh [current, active, ali...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 20—Verse 42Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace. For we have promised each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord will be between me and you, and between my children and your children forever.’” Then David got up and left, and Jonathan went into the city. NLTJonathan has faced the reality that his father wants to kill his best friend. And yet at the risk of...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 19—Verse 1And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David.Satan (through King Saul) had evil intentions for David. But God protected the future king, through whom would come the future Messiah.Jonathan intercedes for David. Michal helped David escape out a window. Saul’s spear-...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 18--Verses 8-9 (CSB)Saul was furious and resented this song. “They credited tens of thousands to David,” he complained, “but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?” So Saul watched David jealously from that day forward.We all have to be so careful with jealousy. If we do not weed it out of our hearts, it can quickly take root and...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 17--Verse 43And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.”Everyone has heard of the story of David and Goliath - a young shepherd boy armed with only a sling and stones going up against an armored giant having spear and sword. The giant looked with disdain at the “hero” sent to represent ...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 16—Verse 7...For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.I’m so glad that the Lord sees our hearts. What a relief that I don’t have to be the smartest, strongest, or best-looking for God to use me! But that also means I must give great care to the condition of my heart.In today’s chapter, Samuel was given th...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 15—Verse 13And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.”‬‬‬‬Have you ever been impatient with God? Saul was too hasty. He let fear dictate his decisions.We’ve all done this. It’s easy to let our impatience o...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 14—Verse 7And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.”I strive to be like this armor bearer. He took his role seriously. It is such a comfort to have people like this in your corner and I hope that I am this for people and I strive to be even more like this for people around me.  Anytime I hav...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 13—Verse 13And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.”God values obedience. In Chapter 10, Samuel gave instructions for Saul to wait for him so that he can lead in offerings and show Saul what to do. When ...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 12—Verse 21And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.We were created with an empty spot in our heart. We feel it, all our lives long: a longing, an ache, a desire for completion. We think, if we can just fill that spot, we will have arrived. Sometimes the longing is more intense, sometimes subtler. But it’s always ther...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 11—Verses 12-13Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.”Remember the slogan “Not MY President”? Well, here we see it is not a new attitude. The reality is, God has given us...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 10–Verse 11What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?Just because somebody has been used of God in some special way, does not mean God endorses their character. Saul, as we will find out, did not have a heart for God. He did not pan out, and he did not last long. In fact, he became a sick and tyrannical man. Please don’t celebrate people for...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 9--Verse 2He had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. Be careful of trusting a first impression. Sometimes we have a mental image of who would be right for what. And sometimes initially they check all the boxes. They look i...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 8--Verses 19-20But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”Israel had seen God defend and fight their battles for them, still they wanted a physical king like the other nations. Even with t...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 7—The Israelites were in bondage to the Philistines and embraced vile idol worship. They lamented after God. They were sorrowful, grief stricken and fearful of what could be a point of no return for them. Had they lost the Lord forever? God was their last and only hope. As they obeyed Samuel’s directions to put away their false gods and confessed their sin, the Lord ...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 6—Verse 6Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he had dealt severely with them, did they not send the people away, and they departed?Once again, we see people resisting God and His plan by hardening their hearts. God had dealt severely with the Egyptians when they wouldn’t let the Israelites go. And now Godhas bee...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 5—Verse 6The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory.Sometimes I wish that God would show up and display judgment on His enemies like He did in the Old Testament. Some of the disciples of Jesus wished the same thing inNew Testament (Luke 9:54).Then I am reminded that I was...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 4—Verse 3...it will save us from our enemies. (NLT)Everything that the Israelites did in this chapter looked right. It even sounded right. Upon defeat, they brought the Ark of the Covenant–the vessel of the LORD’s presence–to help them overcome their enemies. Their shout for joy was so outrageous that it melted their enemies’ hearts in fear. Everything should go acco...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 3--Verse 10 NLTAnd the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!”And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”The Lord called 4 times before Samuel answered and I think the Lord does that to us when we don’t recognize it’s Him, He keeps on calling.  Has the Lord put anything heavy on your heart? Has He been calling your name and have you been simply ...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 2— Verse 26Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.‬‬‬‬In this passage, we see the contrast between Hannah’s son and Eli’s sons. Hannah was blessed with a son after being barren, and she gave that precious blessing back to the Lord. Samuel grew with a heart soft toward the Lord. But Eli’s sons took advantage o...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 1--Verses 16-17 (NIV)“...Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”There is something about grief that all of us connect with even though it affects us all differently. Hannah was expressing her grief in deep sorr...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 30—Verse 6aAnd David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul…Recap: these men who gathered to David were “in distress, in debt, and bitter in soul” (22:2). And during the time they all lived in Ziklag, they’d raid the neighbors, murdering and plundering (27:8-9). So, now that they get a taste of their ow...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 29--Verse 6The [Philistine] lords do not approve of you. There may be times in life where people don’t approve of you. And, in the moment, you may not like it one bit. David sure didn’t. In verse 8 he objects, “But what have I done?” What David didn’t realize, though, was that God was sparing him from having any connection to the death of Saul. God was keeping his re...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 24-- Verse 5And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. David handled being wrongly accused and threatened with such humility. He refused to bring harm to Saul, even though he had every right to do so. He even felt guilty for considering to do harm to Saul, because he honored him. Even though David was deeply hurt, he chose...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 23--Verse 2Therefore David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”Reading about David it is interesting that he inquires of the Lord before he makes any big decisions. I think this would be a very beneficial practice for us. Before we make a choice let’s take it to t...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 18--Verses 8-9 (CSB)Saul was furious and resented this song. “They credited tens of thousands to David,” he complained, “but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?” So Saul watched David jealously from that day forward. We all have to be so careful with jealousy. If we do not weed it out of our hearts, it can quickly take root an...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 17--Verse 43And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.”Everyone has heard of the story of David and Goliath - a young shepherd boy armed with only a sling and stones going up against an armored giant having spear and sword. The giant looked with disdain at the “hero” sent to represent ...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 12—Verse 21And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.We were created with an empty spot in our heart. We feel it, all our lives long: a longing, an ache, a desire for completion. We think, if we can just fill that spot, we will have arrived. Sometimes the longing is more intense, sometimes subtler. But it’s always ther...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 9--Verse 2He had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. Be careful of trusting a first impression. Sometimes we have a mental image of who would be right for what. And sometimes initially they check all the boxes. They look i...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 8--Verses 19-20But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”Israel had seen God defend and fight their battles for them, still they wanted a physical king like the other nations. Even with t...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 3--Verse 10 NLTAnd the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!”And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”The Lord called 4 times before Samuel answered and I think the Lord does that to us when we don’t recognize it’s Him, He keeps on calling.  Has the Lord put anything heavy on your heart? Has He been calling your name and have you been simply ...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 1--Verses 16-17 (NIV)“...Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”There is something about grief that all of us connect with even though it affects us all differently. Hannah was expressing her grief in deep sorr...  Read More