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In reading through Samuel, I came across a phrase which stood out to me in the story of Nabal.  In 1 Samuel 25, he is the man from whom David requested food when he was shearing his sheep.  He gave a rough, rude answer and sent David’s men away empty. When his servants were discussing the way he treated David’s men with Abigail, Nabal’s wife, they spoke this about Nabal:  “he is such a son of Belial that a man cannot speak to him.” (1 Sam 25:17)  This means that Nabal was so hardened and set in his ways that he would never listen to reason.  It was his way or the highway. I found it interesting that one of the character traits of ungodliness is that people cannot approach you.  So, … Read entire article »

In Samuel 17:31-37, David has been brought before King Saul.  People have heard David’s bold words about how Goliath had to be faced.  Saul has sent for him. When David expresses that he will fight Goliath, King Saul says this is impossible due to his youth and inexperience. David shares the story of fighting against a lion and also a bear who had attempted to rob sheep from the flock he was entrusted to watch.  During this story, we can gleen a critical lesson that David learned from the lion. He says that a lion came and took a sheep from the flock.  He went after the lion and smote (or struck) it.  What he used, we don’t know.  But it was enough to apparently either knock the lion silly or seriously distract … Read entire article »

In reading Samuel again, I was struck by something I hadn’t thought of before. In chapter 16, when God tells Samuel to go anoint a new king, we are told that Samuel looked at Jesse’s firstborn and said, “Surely God’s anointed is standing right here.”  God told Samuel that He had rejected Eliab because God looks on the heart, not the outside as man does. We’ve heard that before. What hit me is who God was speaking to:  Samuel.  This is the guy who had served in God’s presence since he was a child.  He heard the voice of God as a youngster and became established as a prophet in Israel.  Scripture even says that “God did not let his words fall to the ground.” Now, as a much older man, he had walked … Read entire article »

Had some thoughts while listening to a sermon on Jonah. In Jonah 3, it says God spoke to Jonah the second time.  What happened between the first time God spoke and the second time?  We know. Jonah rejected God’s word. Jonah’s life took a decidedly downhill turn (repeated use of word “down”). Jonah possibly attempted suicide by telling the mariners to cast him into the sea.  (“I’ll show you, God.  I’ll die before I obey you.”)  That’s at least one way of interpreting his actions. God overrules Jonah even in the face of certain death. When the fish swallows Jonah, Jonah hit rock bottom. Jonah learned that you cannot run from God. Jonah repented. This all happened because Jonah did not obey God the first time that God spoke to him.  Wow. Jonah’s walk of obedience began while he was … Read entire article »