ABIGAIL KEEPS DAVID FROM SINNING

PROCLAMATION

“That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself; but when The Lord shall have dealt with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.”  1 Samuel 25:31 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  About this time the prophet Samuel dies.  All of Israel gathered to mourn for him, and they buried him in Ramah.  Afterwards, David then left and went down to the wilderness of Paran. (1 Samuel 25:1)  There was a certain rich man named Nabal who lived there with his wife Abigail.  David sent a few of his men to Nabal to greet him and to ask for food for his men.  When they arrived Nabal disrespected them and refused to give them anything.  David was upset when he learned of this because his men had previously protected Nabal’s flock and his shepherds.  David told his men to strap on their swords and he took four hundred men and set out to kill Nabal. (1 Samuel 25:2-13)  One of the servants told Abigail how Nabal had insulted the men.  Abigail acted quickly and had donkeys loaded with bread, and wine, and dressed sheep, and roasted grain, and pressed fig cakes, and headed with her servants to David without telling her husband. (1 Samuel 25:14-19)  When she met David, she got off of her donkey, bowed down, then asked him to pay no attention to her foolish husband Nabal.  She asked him to accept the food which she brought as a gift.  She also asked David not to avenge himself with his own hands and reminded him that he was fighting for The Lord.  (1 Samuel 25:20-31)  David thanked Abigail for keeping him from bloodshed and avenging himself.  He accepted her gifts and sent her away in peace.  The next day she told Nabal that she had stopped David from coming to kill him.  He was shocked, he had a heart attack, and ten days later he died. (1 Samuel 25:32-38)  After he heard that Nabal was dead, David sent word to Abigail to become his wife and she accepted. (1 Samuel 25:39-42)

 

APPLICATION

“… Avenge not yourselves … for as it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,’ saith The Lord.” (Romans 12:19)  We are not to avenge ourselves whenever someone does wrong to us.  We may be angry, hurt, mad, or upset, but we are to “let go and let God.”  Sometimes the best thing to do is to do nothing at all.  The Bible says for us to “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.  For evildoers shall be cut off …” (Psalm 37:8-9) 

DAVID SPARES SAUL'S LIFE

PROCLAMATION

“And the men of David said unto him, ‘Behold the day of which The Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee.’  Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.”  1 Samuel 24:4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  After Saul returned from fighting the Philistines, he was told that David was in En-Gedi.  So Saul took three thousand men and set out to look for David. (1 Samuel 24:1-2)  Along the way there was a large cave and Saul went into the cave to relieve himself.  Unbeknownst to Saul, David and his men were hidden deep within this cave.  David saw Saul and silently crept up behind him and cut off the corner of his robe. (1 Samuel 24:3-4)  David would not let his men attack Saul, and when he finished he left the cave.  Afterwards, David followed Saul out of the cave and called out to him.  When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and said that he meant Saul no harm.  David said that he could have killed him if he had wanted to do so but he spared his life and only cut off the corner of his robe to prove that he could have killed him. (1 Samuel 24:5-11)  David said, ‘I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.’  Then he said, “The Lord judge between me and thee, and The Lord avenge me of thee; but mine hand shall not be upon thee.” (1 Samuel 24:11-13)  Saul wept then told David that he was more righteous than himself.  David had treated him well and he had treated David badly.  Then he said may The Lord reward David for how he treated him on that day.  Saul also said that he knew that David would become the king of Israel.  He asked David to swear that he would not kill off all of his descendants and wipe out his family name.  David gave his oath to Saul and they went their separate ways. (1 Samuel 24:16-22)

 

APPLICATION

“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” (Sherrilyn Kenyon)  Everything that we are able to do, does not mean that we ought to do them or that we should do them.  Every situation affords us the opportunity to choose whether we will do the right thing or the wrong thing.  We have to choose to obey that “still small voice” which we hear that is the voice of The Lord God. (1 Kings 19:12)  We do not have to follow the suggestions of the crowd.  The path chosen by the many is often the road to destruction. (Matthew 7:13)

KING SAUL PURSUES DAVID

PROCLAMATION

“And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah … And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.”  1 Samuel 23:7-8 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  When David was told that the Philistines were attacking Keilah, he inquired of The Lord should he go and fight the Philistines to save Keilah.  The Lord told him yes, but his men were afraid to go.  So David again inquired of The Lord and He answered him saying that He would deliver the Philistines into his hands.  Then David and his men went and fought the Philistines.  They slaughtered them and captured their livestock, and saved the people of Keilah. (1 Samuel 23:1-6)  King Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he gathered his forces for battle to siege David and his men.  David learned that Saul was plotting against him.  The Lord told him that the people of Keilah would turn him over to Saul, so David and his men left Keilah and went into the wilderness in the hills of Ziph. (1 Samuel 23:7-14)  While he was there Jonathan came to him to encourage him and made another covenant with him.  However, some of the Ziphites went to Saul and told him that David was hiding in the hills of Ziph.  Saul told them to find out exactly where David was hiding and come back and report it to him.  Then he would go with them and capture David. (1 Samuel 23:15-23)  But Saul did not wait and set out in pursuit of David.  As he was closing in on him, a messenger came to Saul and told him that the Philistines were raiding his land.  Then Saul stopped chasing David and went to meet the Philistines.  David went up from there to the hills of En-Gedi. (1 Samuel 23:24-29)

 

APPLICATION

As believers we need to be aware of the fact that bad times will follow us wherever we go.  We can run from the devil, but we can’t hide from him.  We need to pray to God for guidance and direction.  “The steps of a good man are ordered by The Lord …” (Psalm 37:23)  The devil will always attack us.  However, in order for us to be able to withstand his attacks we need to put on the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11-17)  All of the devil’s attacks are not flesh and blood, some of them are spiritual.  We need God’s help to withstand his attacks.

 

 

WE ARE ALWAYS BEING OBSERVED

PROCLAMATION

“Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, ‘I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.  And he enquired of The Lord for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.’ ” 1 Samuel 22:9-10 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  Some time later David left Gath and went to the cave of Adullam.  He was joined there by about four hundred men who were themselves in distress, in debt, or discontented.  David left there and went to Mizpah king of Moab seeking a safe refuge for his mother and father. (1 Samuel 22:1-4)  However, David was warned by the prophet Gad not to stay there but to go to Judah.  So he left and went to the forest of Hereth in the land of Judah. (1 Samuel 22:5)  Meanwhile Saul was still searching for David.  One of Saul’s servants, Doeg the Edomite, told Saul that he saw David with Ahimelech the priest in Nob. (1 Samuel 21:7 and 22:9)  Then Saul sent for Ahimelech and all of the men of his family, who were also priests.  Saul asked him why he had helped David and Ahimelech commented on David’s loyalty and said that he was highly respected in Israel.  Then he said that he knew nothing of any problem between Saul and David. (1 Samuel 22:6-15)  Saul ordered that all of the priests be killed.  He also ordered that all of the men, women, children, cattle, donkeys, and sheep of Nob be killed. (1 Samuel 22:16-19)  One son of Ahimelech escaped and fled to join David.  He told David what Saul had done and David said that he was safe with him. (1 Samuel 22:20-23)

 

APPLICATION

As believers, we are always being observed.  Even when we are unaware of it, people are watching us.  They are frequently making judgments about us as individuals and about all Christians based upon what they see in us.  Therefore we need to be cognizant of our behavior at all times, especially when we are around children.  We will be severely punished if we cause a child of God to stumble and fall into sin.  The Bible says, “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” (Luke 17:2)  Be on your best Christian behavior for God is always watching.

AT TIMES IT IS BETTER TO FLEE THAN TO FIGHT

PROCLAMATION

“Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest; and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, ‘Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?’ ”  1 Samuel 21:1 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  When David left Jonathan to flee from Saul, he went to Nob to see Ahimelech the priest.  Ahimelech was concerned when he saw David as to why he was alone.  He told the priest that he was travelling alone on a special mission for the king and that he would meet up with his men later. (1 Samuel 21:1-2)  David asked the priest for some bread, but there was only consecrated bread so David took that.  He also asked the priest for a weapon but all that was there was the sword which David had used to cut off the head of Goliath, that had been wrapped and stored.  So David took Goliath’s sword. (1 Samuel 21:3-9)  Then he went to Achish king of Gath, enemies of Israel, to hide from Saul.  Because they recognized him, David had to pretend that he was insane in order to be safe in their presence. (1 Samuel 21:10-14) 

 

APPLICATION

Years ago I heard this old saying, “Sometimes it is better to run away, and live to fight another day” (Author unknown)  David knew better than to fight with King Saul.  The Bible teaches us not to harm the man of God saying, “Touch not” the anointed of God and do His prophets no harm. (1 Chronicles 16:22 and Psalm 105:15)  The Lord God will chastise and punish His own as He sees fit and feels is appropriate.  It is better for us to walk away and avoid a confrontation with a man of God than to risk incurring the wrath of God by harming one of His own.  We can disagree with one without becoming disagreeable.

TRUE FRIENDSHIP

PROCLAMATION

“Then said Jonathan unto David, ‘Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.’ ”  1 Samuel 20:4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  David went to Jonathan and asked why his father Saul wanted to kill him.  Jonathan said that Saul was not attempting to kill him, remembering his father’s oath. (1 Samuel 19:6)  But David knew better and he devised a plan to confirm it and to prove it to Jonathan.  He would not show up for a feast and cause Saul to question his absence.  He gave Jonathan an excuse to give Saul when he asked about him and Jonathan would know by Saul’s reaction what his true intentions were. (1 Samuel 20:4-7)  Then they devised a means by which Jonathan could communicate Saul’s reaction to David while he was still in hiding.  He would shoot three arrows near or past the stone by which David was hiding. (1 Samuel 20:18-22)  It came to past that Saul questioned Jonathan regarding David’s absence from the feast and he replied as David had instructed him.  Saul was angry and upset with Jonathan.  He even threw a spear at him and Jonathan knew that he intended to kill David. (1 Samuel 20:24-33)  The next day he went to the field to let David know Saul’s intentions.  After he signaled him with the three arrows, they met and cried together, and then David left. (1 Samuel 20:35-42)

 

APPLICATION

There was a bond between David and Jonathan that was stronger than most friendship bonds.  Some “friends” are only our friends while things are going well, but they disappear when the bad times come.  When we really need them, some friends can’t be found.  This friendship was stronger than family connections.  This was a “Whatever you need, I will do for you” type of friendship.  As believers, we have a real true friend that “sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)  “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” and Christ said that we are His friends. (John 15:13-14)  We are His friends if we do what He commands.  “What a friend we have in Jesus …” (Christian hymn by Joseph Scriven)

PROTECTED BY GOD

PROCLAMATION

“And Saul sent messengers to take David; and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, The Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.”  1 Samuel 19:20 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  As Saul’s fear of David grew, he told all of his attendants and his son Jonathan to kill David.  But because Jonathan liked David, he warned him of Saul’s intentions and told him to hide himself. (1 Samuel 19:1-2)  Jonathan spoke with Saul and asked him why he wanted to kill a man who had done good for Israel and had done him no wrong.  After they spoke Saul relented. (1 Samuel 19:3-7)  Then war broke out and David went out to fight the Philistines.  After he defeated them and returned, an evil spirit again came upon Saul and again he sought to kill David with a spear. (1 Samuel 19:8-10)  Again David eluded Saul and escaped.  Saul sent men to David’s house to watch for him but his wife Michal warned him and he escaped.  She deceived Saul and his men by covering an idol in David’s bed. (1 Samuel 19:11-17)  David went to Samuel and told him all that Saul had done, then they went to Naioth and dwelt there.  Word came to Saul that David was there and he sent men to capture David.  However, when the men arrived there, The Spirit of The Lord came upon them and they joined the prophets who were prophesying. (1 Samuel 19:18-20)  Twice more Saul sent men to capture David, and twice more The Spirit of The Lord came upon them and they began prophesying. (1 Samuel 19:21-22)  Finally, Saul went himself to capture David and when he arrived in Naioth, The Spirit of The Lord came upon him and he began prophesying. (1 Samuel 19:23-24)

 

APPLICATION

The Spirit of The Lord God can use our family, our friends, or even our enemies to protect us from hurt and harm.  If we believe in Him and obey His Holy Word, He will keep a hedge of protection around us. (Job 1:10)  Under His wings will He shelter us. (Psalm 91:4)  Once we are His, we are safely within His hands and no one can pluck us out of His hands. (John 10:28-29)  The Lord God protects His own.

JEALOUSY ENVY AND FEAR OF DAVID

PROCLAMATION

“And Saul saw and knew that The Lord was with David, and that Michal Saul’s daughter loved him.  And Saul was yet to more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.”  1 Samuel 18:28-29 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  David was brought before Saul, still holding Goliath’s head in his hand, and Saul asked him whose son he was.  David replied, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” (1 Samuel 17:57-58)  Jonathan the son of Saul overheard the conversation and his soul became one with the soul of David, and he loved David as much as he loved himself.  Whatever mission Saul sent David on, he was very successful so Saul gave David a high rank in the army.  When the men returned home from battle, the women came out and sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”  This angered Saul. (1 Samuel 18:5-9)  He threw a spear at David on two occasions but David eluded him.  Saul was afraid of David because The Lord was with him.  So he sent David away on military campaigns, but this just gave David even greater success.  This increased Saul’s fear of David. (1 Samuel 18:10-16)  Saul offered David his daughter Merab to marry but he refused, stating that he was not worthy of such an honor. (1 Samuel 18:17-19)  Later Saul had his attendants speak to David about accepting in marriage Saul’s daughter Michal who was in love with David.  But David said that he was poor and he was told that all Saul wanted from him for her hand in marriage was one hundred Philistine foreskins. (1 Samuel 18:20-26)  So David took his men and killed two hundred Philistine men and brought back their foreskins.  Saul realized that The Lord was with David and he became even more afraid of him, and he became his enemy. (1 Samuel 18:27-29)

 

APPLICATION

Some of the time we do not have to do anything wrong for people to hate us.  Some people will hate us because The Lord God has blessed us with success.  They will become jealous, or envious of us because of what God has done for us.  However, The Lord God can turn our haters and enemies into our footstools for taking us even higher. (Matthew 22:24, Mark 12:36, Luke 20:43, Acts 2:35, Hebrews 1:13, and Hebrews 10:13)  People may not like us, and may even try to block us, but all things work together for good for them that love The Lord. (Romans 8:28) 

DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH

PROCLAMATION

“And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.”  1 Samuel 17:49 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  When the Philistines gathered their forces for war against the Israelites, Saul assembled his men and camped in the valley of Elah.  The Philistines were on one side of a mountain and the Israelites were on the other side of a mountain, with the valley of Elah between them.  The Philistine champion Goliath, a giant of a man from Gath, stood and shouted challenges and insults to the Israelites.  He did this every morning and evening for forty days. (1 Samuel 17:4-16)  David came to the Israelite camp to bring his brothers some bread and he heard Goliath defying Israel.  Seeing that the Israelites were afraid and fled whenever Goliath appeared, David said that he would kill him. (1 Samuel 17:23-32)  Saul told David that he was a boy and was not prepared to fight Goliath.  David told Saul that he had fought and killed a lion and a bear while tending to his father’s sheep. (1 Samuel 17:33-37)  Saul put his armor on David but he refused to wear it.  He took his staff and his sling and five smooth stones and went to face Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:38-40)  David said to Goliath, “… I come against you in the name of The Lord Almighty, The God of the armies of Israel whom you defied.  This day The Lord will deliver you into my hands …” (1 Samuel 17:45-46)  David defeated Goliath with a sling, then he took Goliath’s sword and cut off his head. (1 Samuel 17:48-51)

 

APPLICATION

With the help of The Lord God we can face and defeat whatever our Goliaths happen to be.  Before that can happen, we have to first believe in Him and have faith in Him.  If we have faith the size of a mustard seed we can move large trees (Luke 17:6) and mountains. (Matthew 17:20)  With God’s help, all things are possible if we only believe. (Mark 10:27)  Our God is bigger that any of our problems.

  

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME POWERFULLY UPON DAVID

PROCLAMATION

“Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel.  And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these.  And Samuel said unto Jesse, ‘Are here all thy children?’  And he said, ‘There remaineth yet the youngest …’  And Samuel said unto Jesse, ‘Send and fetch him …’  And he sent, and brought him in.  Now he was ruddy … and goodly to look to.  And The Lord said, ‘Arise, anoint him; for this is he.’  Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren; and The Spirit of The Lord came upon David from that day forward …”  1 Samuel 16:10-13 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  After Samuel left Saul and returned to Ramah, he mourned for Saul. (1 Samuel 15:35)  The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel?”  Then He told Samuel to fill his horn with oil and be on his way to Bethlehem.  He had chosen one of Jesse’s sons to be king. (1 Samuel 16:1)  When he arrived in Bethlehem, he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice of the heifer he had brought with him. (1 Samuel 16:2-5)  Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel but none of them was chosen. (1 Samuel 16:6-10)  Samuel asked if there were any more and Jesse said yes, his youngest son who was out tending the sheep.  They sent for David, and when he came in, The Lord told Samuel to anoint him, and when he did, The Spirit of The Lord came powerfully upon David. (1 Samuel 16:11-13)  Now The Spirit of The Lord had already departed from Saul, and an evil spirit was tormenting him.  Saul sought someone who could play the harp and soothe his troubled mind.  One of his attendants told him about a son of Jesse who could play the harp and Saul sent for him. (1 Samuel 16:14-19)  Saul liked David and made him one of his armor-bearers.  Whenever the evil spirit would trouble Saul, David would play the harp and Saul would feel better. (1 Samuel 16:20-23)

 

APPLICATION

David was a man after God’s own heart. (1 Samuel 13:14)  Even as a young man he did that which was right.  He was chosen, anointed, and The Spirit of The Lord was with him.  From the moment that we accept Christ as our Savior, The Holy Spirit of The Lord indwells each of us.  We may not be all that David would become, but God has a purpose for us (Ephesians 1:11) and His Holy Spirit is always with us. (Matthew 28:20)

BETTER TO FEAR AND OBEY GOD THAN MAN

PROCLAMATION

“And Saul said unto Samuel, ‘I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of The Lord, and thy words; because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.’ ”  1 Samuel 15:24 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  In this chapter Samuel tells Saul that The Lord said to attack and totally destroy the Amalekites for what they did to Israel. (1 Samuel 15:1-3)  Saul attacked the Amalekites and defeated them but did not totally destroy them as he was told to do. (1 Samuel 15:4-9)  Thus The Lord God told Samuel that He regretted that He had made Saul king because he would not carry out His instructions. (1 Samuel 15:10-11)  When Samuel caught up with Saul he told him what The Lord had said to him and he asked Saul why he disobeyed The Lord.  Saul said that he brought back the king of the Amalekites as a prisoner, and he said that the soldiers took the best of the sheep and cattle to use them as a sacrifice unto The Lord.  Samuel said it is better to obey than to sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:13-22)  Samuel told Saul that because he had rejected The Word of God, now God has rejected him as king.  Then Saul admitted that he had sinned but said that he was afraid of the men so he gave in to them. (1 Samuel 15:23-25)  Samuel said that he would not go back with Saul.  As Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed his robe and it tore.  Samuel said that The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel away from him and given it to one of his neighbors. (1 Samuel 15:26-29)  Saul begged Samuel to come back with him and Samuel relented and went with him.  When they got back to Gilgal Samuel sent for Agag the king of the Amalekites and cut him into pieces before The Lord.  Then Samuel left for Ramah and Saul returned to Gibeah. Samuel did not see Saul again. (1 Samuel 15:30-34)

 

APPLICATION

No man can serve two masters.  We cannot serve The Lord God and serve man at the same time. (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13)  We must choose which one we will serve. (Joshua 24:15)  It is never a good idea to choose man over God.  It is much better to put our trust in The Lord than it is to trust in man. (Psalm 118:8)  No human can save your soul. (Psalm 146:3)  Christ is the only way we can make it out of this world alive and have life after death. (John 14:6)

JONATHAN'S BRAVERY AND HIS SIN

PROCLAMATION

“And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armor, ‘Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that The Lord will work for us; for there is no restraint to The Lord to save by many or by few.’  And his armor-bearer said unto him, ‘Do all that is in thine heart … behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.’ ” 1 Samuel 14:6-7 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  One day Jonathan, the son of King Saul, took his armor-bearer with him and went over to the Philistine outpost without his father knowing it. (1 Samuel 14:1-8)  Jonathan and his armor-bearer went to the Philistines and they killed about twenty men. (1 Samuel 14:13-14)  Then The Lord God caused a panic to break out among the Philistines.  The lookouts of Israelite army told Saul of the panic among the Philistines army.  Then Saul gathered together the men he had left, called for the ark of God, and went to battle the Philistines. (1 Samuel 14:15-20)  When the Israelites who had fled and hidden in the hills heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined in the pursuit of them. (1 Samuel 14:21-23)  Unbeknownst to Jonathan, Saul had the people take an oath cursing anyone who ate before evening.  When the entire army entered the woods, there was honey oozing out of the trees but no one ate any of it because of the oath.  Jonathan ate some of the honey and immediately his eyes were brightened.  One of the soldiers told him of the oath and said that was why the men were faint. (1 Samuel 14:24-28)  Later that day when the Israelites struck down the Philistines, they took their livestock and butchered them and ate the raw meat.  Someone told Saul that his men were sinning by eating meat with blood in it.  He built an altar unto The Lord.  He consulted with the priest before continuing his attack on the Philistines but God did not answer him. (1 Samuel 14:31-37)  After questioning the men Saul learned of Jonathan’s sin. 

 

APPLICATION

We can do wrong but have good intentions.  However, as the saying goes, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” (Henry G. Bohn)  It is not enough to simply mean to do well, one must take a good action to do well.  While it is true that God sees our heart and knows our intentions, a sin is still a sin.  Although “all unrighteousness is sin …” (1 John 5:17) all sin is not unpardonable.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

SAUL OVERSTEPS HIS BOUNDS

PROCLAMATION

“And Saul said, ‘Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings.  And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.  And Samuel said, ‘What hast thou done?’ ” 1 Samuel 13:9-11 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba and angered the Philistines.  The Philistines assembled a very large army to fight the Israelites.  They were so outnumbered that the Israelites ran and hid in caves. (1 Samuel 13:2-6)  The men with Saul were afraid.  Saul called for Samuel but he did not come within the seven appointed days.  Then Saul took it upon himself to offer up a burnt offering and the fellowship offerings unto The Lord. (1 Samuel 13:7-9)  Just as he finished with the burnt offering Samuel arrived and asked him what he had done.  Saul explained his actions and his reasons but Samuel told him that he had done a foolish thing for he was not a priest.  Because of his impatience, and his disregard for the man of God, Saul would lose his kingdom to a man after God’s own heart. (1 Samuel 13:10-14) 

 

APPLICATION

All too often we are impatient.  We want whatever it is that we want, and we want it right now.  We do not seem to understand the concept of waiting on The Lord.  Our impatience causes us to rush into things for which we are not prepared, or for which we should not get involved.  The Bible states that we are to wait on The Lord. (Psalm 27:14)  Some of our battles are not ours to fight. (Proverbs 20:22)  We need to trust in The Lord and not lean upon our own understanding and abilities. (Proverbs 3:5)

 

SAMUEL'S FAREWELL SPEECH

PROCLAMATION

“Only fear The Lord, and serve Him in truth with all you heart; for consider how great things He hath done for you.  But if ye shall do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.”  1 Samuel 12:24-25 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  After the people had officially made Saul their king, (1 Samuel 11:14-15) Samuel told them that they now had what they asked for. (1 Samuel 12:1-2)  He said that he had been their leader but now he was old and gray.  He asked them if he had done any of them any type of wrongdoing and they replied that he had not. (1 Samuel 12:2-5)  Then Samuel reminded them that The Lord had given them Moses and Aaron, and a series of other leaders to deliver them from their enemies.  But they wanted a king and now they have a king. (1 Samuel 12:6-13)  Samuel warned them that if they and their king did not serve The Lord and obey Him, then He would raise His hand against them as He did to their ancestors. (1 Samuel 12:14-15)  Then Samuel told them that he would call on The Lord for thunder and rain, in the middle of the dry harvest season, as a sign to them that they had done in the sight of the Lord evil by requesting a human king in place of God.  Then Samuel prayed and that day The Lord sent thunder and rain, and the people stood in awe. (1 Samuel 12:16-18)  Then the people asked Samuel to pray for their forgiveness.  Samuel told them that as long as they and their king served The Lord they would be okay, but if they turned from Him they would be punished. (1 Samuel 12:19-25)

 

APPLICATION

Sometimes we ask for things which are not in our best interest.  Why would we want to imitate and copy the sinful people of the world when we know that in the end they will end up in hell? (Revelation 20:15)  As believers we have The Holy Spirit of God within us (Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:26-27) and therefore we are not of this world. (John 8:33)  We know that the wages of sin is death (Roman 6:23) and those whose name is not recorded in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire for eternal damnation. (Revelation 20:15 and 21:27)  Having been warned of the consequences, the lost have no one to blame for their plight but themselves.  Choose wisely.

MOVED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD WITHIN

PROCLAMATION

“And The Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.”  1 Samuel 11:6 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  After the people of Israel had selected Saul to be their king, they all returned to their homes and Saul returned to his home. (1 Samuel 10:25-26)  Not long afterwards Nahash the Ammonite came and sieged the city of Jabesh Gilead.  The men of Jabesh asked Nahash to make a treaty with them and said that they would serve him.  Nahash replied that he would make a treaty with them only if every man would gouge out his right eye so as to bring disgrace to all of Israel. (1 Samuel 11:1-2)  They requested seven days to think about it and sent messengers throughout Israel for help.  Saul was at home working in his fields.  When he heard this he was angered and The Spirit of The Lord came powerfully upon him. (1 Samuel 11:3-6)  The fear of The Lord fell upon the people and they came together to follow Saul and Samuel into battle.  The next night Saul led the Israelites into the camp of the Ammonites and they slaughtered them. (1 Samuel 11:7-11)  Afterwards Samuel led the people of Israel to Gilgal and they officially made Saul their king and they had a big celebration. (1 Samuel 11:12-15)

 

APPLICATION

There are times when we just go about our normal daily activities in an unmotivated manner nonchalantly doing things with no real urgency about anything.  Then there are times when something comes upon us and we get a real zeal for what we are doing.  All too often we go about our service to The Lord and our praise and worship without much zest and gusto.  We need to come alive and get on fire for The Lord.  It is past time for casual business as usual, it is time to get seriously busy.  We should pray that The Spirit of The Lord will light a fire within us so that we can get active.  God does not want any lukewarm Christians. (Revelation 3:16)

 

CHOSEN BY THE LORD GOD

PROCLAMATION

“And Samuel said to all the people, ‘See ye him whom The Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?  And all the people shouted, and said, ‘God save the king.’ ”  1 Samuel 10:24 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  The people of Israel wanted a king to lead and rule them and The Lord God told Samuel to give them a king. (1 Samuel 8:21-22)  The Lord God told Samuel that He would send the man to him.  When Samuel saw Saul, The Lord God spoke to him and said, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern My people.” (1 Samuel 9:17)  The Lord saw something in Saul that he did not see in himself. (1 Samuel 9:20)  Only when The Spirit of God came upon him did he begin to act like an anointed man of God. (1 Samuel 10:6 and 10:10)  Saul’s uncle came to him and asked him where he had been, and Saul told him everything except what Samuel had told him about the kingship. (1 Samuel 10:14-16)  Then Samuel called all the people of Israel together and told them what thus saith The Lord.  He called for each of the tribes to come forward and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen.  Then he called them forward clan by clan and Matri’s clan was chosen, and from them Saul the son of Kish was selected. (1 Samuel 10:17-21)  When they called for Saul, he could not be found.  The Lord told them that Saul had hidden himself among the supplies.  They ran and got Saul and Samuel presented him to the people as the one whom The Lord God had chosen to be king. (1 Samuel 10:21-24)

 

APPLICATION

When The Lord God has a position for us, it will not be necessary for us to seek it out.  Others will see the leadership qualities in us, which we may not see in ourselves. (1 Samuel 10:23)  The Lord will make a way for us to get where He wants us to be at the appropriate time.  Promotion comes by the hand and the will of God, and only He can make it happen for us. (Psalm 75:6-7)  Whatever The Lord God has in store for us will be ours.  We just need to make sure that we don’t block our own blessings by willful disobedience to The Word of God.

 

SAMUEL MEETS SAUL

PROCLAMATION

“And when Samuel saw Saul, The Lord said unto him, ‘Behold the man whom I spake to thee of.  This same shall reign over My people.’  Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, ‘Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.’  And Samuel answered Saul, and said, ‘I am the seer …’ ”  1 Samuel 9:17-19 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  There was a young Benjamite whose name was Saul the son of Kish.  Saul was sent to find his father’s lost donkeys.  He and a servant went through the country of Ephraim, around the area of Shalisha, into the district of Shaalim and did not find them.  When they reached the district of Zuph, they decided to seek the advice of the man of God, who in those days was called a seer. (1 Samuel 9:1-9)  As they approached the town they inquired where the seer was and they were given directions.  When they entered the city, there was Samuel coming towards them. (1 Samuel 9:10-14)  Now on the day before The Lord God had revealed to Samuel: “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man … Anoint him ruler over My people Israel …” (1 Samuel 9:15-16)  When Samuel saw Saul, The Lord said to him, this is the man that I spoke to you about.  As Saul drew near him he asked Samuel where the seer’s house was, and Samuel answered him and said, “I am the seer ...” (1 Samuel 9:17-19)  Saul and Samuel conversed and Samuel invited him to dine with him.  They conversed even more after they ate. (1 Samuel 9:20-27)

 

APPLICATION

Everyone who comes into our live is there for a purpose.  They are there as a blessing, as a lesson, or as a test.  No one that we meet is by accident, by chance, or by luck, it is all by the providence of God.  Our reasons for coming to a particular place may be different, but the outcome of our meeting will be according to the will of God.  Remember, all things work together for the good of them that love The Lord. (Romans 8:28)

 

DO NOT COPY THE LOST SINNERS OF THE WORLD

PROCLAMATION

“Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, and said unto him, ‘Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways; now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.’ ”  1 Samuel 8:4-5 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to lead and judge Israel. (1 Samuel 8:1)  However, although Samuel was a prophet of The Lord God, (1 Samuel 3:19-21) his sons did not follow his ways.  They accepted bribes and perverted justice. (1 Samuel 8:2-3)  So the elders of Israel got together and told Samuel to appoint a king to be over them so that they could be like all of the other nations around them.  Having The Lord God as their king was not good enough for them.  They wanted to copy the sinful nations around them.  Samuel was displeased with them for this request and he prayed to God. (1 Samuel 8:6)  As an answer to his prayer, The Lord God told him that the people of Israel had rejected God as their King, but they had not rejected Samuel as their leader. (1 Samuel 8:7)  He told Samuel to warn them and let them know what having a king over them would mean.  Samuel told them all that The Lord had told him to say, in terms of what it would cost them and their families, but the people still wanted a king. (1 Samuel 8:8-20)  The Lord God then told Samuel to listen to them and give them a king. (1 Samuel 8:21-22)

 

APPLICATION

There are times when we ask for things which are not in our best interest.  Some of the things we want because they are popular and everybody else has them.  However, when you have the best, why would you want to copy something less?  Why would we want to imitate the sinful people of the world when we know where they will end up? (Revelation 20:15)  As believers we have The Holy Spirit of God within us (Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:26-27) and therefore we are not of this world. (John 8:33)  We are to behave in a Christ-like manner. (Romans 6:4 and 6:11)  It is Christ that we ought to imitate and not the sinful people of the world.

 

SAMUEL LEADS ISRAEL

PROCLAMATION

“And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, ‘If ye do return unto The Lord with all your hearts … He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.’  Then the children of Israel put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served The Lord only.”  1 Samuel 7:3-4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  The men of Kiriath Jearim came and took the ark of The Lord from Beth Shemesh as requested.  They kept the ark with them for twenty years. (1 Samuel 7:1-2)  Then the Israelites turned back to The Lord.  Samuel told them to put away their foreign gods and serve only The Lord, and He would deliver them out of the hands of the Philistines. (1 Samuel 2-4)  The Israelites put away their idols and gathered at Mizpah where they fasted and confessed with Samuel as their leader.  When the Philistines heard that they had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines led an attack against them. (1 Samuel 7:5-7)  Samuel offered a sacrifice unto The Lord and that same day The Lord thundered with a loud thunder and caused the Philistines to panic.  The men of Israel then rushed out and pursued and slaughtered the Philistines. (1 Samuel 7:8-11)  They so subdued the Philistines that the towns of Ekron and Gath which had been captured were restored to Israel. (1 Samuel 7:12-14)  Samuel continued as the leader of Israel all the days of his life. (1 Samuel 7:15-17)

 

APPLICATION

If we as believers, who are called Christians, would humble ourselves, and pray, and seek The Lord God, and turn from our wicked sinful ways, then He would forgive us and heal us and our land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  We have heard The Word of God preached to us, but we need to internalize it and become doers of The Word. (James 1:22)  We also need to read and study The Word of God, (2 Timothy 2:15) so that we can grow in the knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18) and grow in holiness.  We should not stay babes in Christ and be fed The Word as milk instead of meat. (1 Corinthians 3:2)  We should want to grow spiritually.

 

GOD IS IN CONTROL

PROCLAMATION

“And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart … and they laid the ark of The Lord upon the cart … and the kine took the straight way to the way of Beth-Shemesh … and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Beth-Shemesh.”  1 Samuel 6:10-12 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.   The people of Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron had been afflicted with tumors because the Philistines had brought the ark of The Lord into their cities and they wanted it taken away.  The Philistines asked the priests and the diviners what to do with the ark and how should they send it back to Israel.  They were told to send it back along with a guilt offering of five gold tumors and five gold rats, one for each of the five rulers and cities which were stricken with the plagues.  They were told to put the ark on a new cart, hitched to two cows that had never been yoked, along with a chest containing the gold objects, and send it on its way. (1 Samuel 6:1-10)  They did as they were told and they watched the cows take the ark straight to the city of Beth Shemesh.  The people of Beth Shemesh rejoiced when they saw the ark.  The Levites took the ark and the people chopped up the cart and sacrificed the two cows as a burnt offering to The Lord.  The Philistines followed the cows at a distance and when saw this, they returned to Ekron. (1 Samuel 6:11-18)  The Lord God struck down seventy people of Beth Shemesh because they looked into the ark of God.  Then they sent messengers to the people of Kiriath Jearim to come and take the ark to their town. (1 Samuel 6:19-21)    

 

APPLICATION

The Lord God was in control and guided the two cows and the ark from the Philistine territory in Ekron to the Israelite city of Beth Shemesh.  Just as The Lord controlled and guided the cows, He can control and guide all of the other events and actions in this world.  The wind and the waves even obey His will. (Mark 4:39)  The people, however, are not robots and have the free will of choice regarding their behavior and beliefs. (John 3:16)  He wanted that all people would be saved, (1 Timothy 2:4) but He gave us the choice to accept Him or not.  Whosoever will, let him come to The Lord. (Revelation 22:17)

 

THE POWER OF THE ARK OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of The Lord; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.”  1 Samuel 5:4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.   After the Philistines captured the ark of God they took it from the city of Ebenezer to Ashdod and placed it beside the statue of their god Dagon. (1 Samuel 5:1-2)  The next day they arose to find that Dagon had fallen on his face, on the ground before the ark of The Lord.  They picked Dagon up and put him back in his place.  On the following morning they arose and again found Dagon had fallen on his face, but this time his head and both hands were broken off and they were lying upon the threshold of the temple. (1 Samuel 5:3-5)  The people of Ashdod were afflicted with tumors so they moved the ark to Gath.  When the ark arrived in Gath, the young and the old were afflicted with tumors. (1 Samuel 5:6-9)  So they sent the ark to Ekron.  As the ark entered Ekron the people cried out against it, saying that it would kill them.  Then they asked the leaders of the Philistines to send the ark of The Lord away and let it go back to its own place. (1 Samuel 5:10-11)

 

APPLICATION

Our bad times and bad situations do not reflect a diminished power of The Lord God, or a loss of His control.  The Philistines had defeated the Israelites and captured the ark of God, but The Lord punished the people wherever they took it.  Even those people who do not believe in The Lord God will be made to respect His power.  The day will soon come when everyone will respect the power of The Lord God.  For as it is written, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Christ is The Lord. (Romans 14:11)

  

NON-BELIEVING PRETENDERS WILL PERISH

PROCLAMATION

“And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten … And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.”  1 Samuel 4:10-11

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  The Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines and were defeated. (1 Samuel 4:1-2)  The elders of Israel asked why The Lord allowed them to be defeated, and then they sent for the ark of covenant so that The Lord could go with them into battle. (1 Samuel 4:3)  When the people brought the ark of the covenant to them, the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, came with the ark. (1 Samuel 4:4)  Eli’s sons did not know The Lord although they ministered in the temple. (1 Samuel 2:12-17)  Again Israel fought against the Philistines, and again they were defeated.  This time the ark was captured and both of Eli’s sons were killed. (1 Samuel 4:10-11)  Eli the priest fell over backwards, broke his neck and died when he heard that his sons had died and that the ark had been captured. (1 Samuel 4:15-18)  Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was near the end of her pregnancy and she went into labor when she heard that her husband and father-in-law were both dead.  She died during childbirth but delivered a son whom she named Ichabod saying, “The glory of The Lord is departed from Israel, for the ark of God is taken.” (1 Samuel 4:19-21)

 

APPLICATION

Everybody carrying a Bible is not a man of God.  For whatever reason, some men pretend to be men, prophet, or priest of God and they mislead God’s people. (Matthew 24:11 and 2 Peter 2:1)  That is why we a taught to compare everything that we hear to The Word of God before we accept it as truth. (1 John 4:1)  That is also why we should read and study The Word of God so that we can rightly divide the word of truth.  The Lord God will deal with those who pretend to be His servants. (Revelation 20:10)

GOD SPEAKS TO HIS PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“Now Samuel did not know The Lord, neither was the word of The Lord yet revealed to him.  And The Lord called Samuel again a third time.  He arose and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here am I; for thou didst call me.’  And Eli perceived that The Lord had called the child.  Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He call thee, thou shalt say, ‘Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth.  So Samuel went and lay down in his place.  And The Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, ‘Samuel, Samuel.’  Then Samuel answered, ‘Speak; for Thy servant heareth.’ ”  1 Samuel 3:7-10 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  The young boy, Samuel, was being raised up in the temple by Eli, the priest. (Samuel 3:1)  His mother, Hannah, had given him to Eli to keep her vow to The Lord God for giving her a son. (Samuel 1:24-28)  Samuel was being trained in the temple but he did not know The Lord God for himself.  That is why he got up from his resting place and ran to Eli three times because he thought that the priest was calling him. (1 Samuel 3:2-8)  Eli finally realized that The Lord God was calling Samuel so Eli told him to answer The Lord the next time that He calls him.  When The Lord called Samuel again, he answered Him. (1 Samuel 3:8-10)  The Lord told Samuel what He was going to do in Israel and to the house of Eli. (1 Samuel 3:11-14)  The next morning Eli called Samuel and questioned him regarding what The Lord had told him and Samuel told him everything. (1 Samuel 3:15-18)  Samuel grew and The Lord was with him.  All of Israel recognized Samuel as a prophet of The Lord. (1 Samuel 3:19-21)

  

APPLICATION

Everyone cannot hear the voice of The Lord God.  Some people hear only a noise, (Acts 9:7) or a sound like thunder, (Exodus 19:16) but nothing which they can understand.  Those who hear the voice of The Lord and obey it will be blessed. (Deuteronomy 28:2 and 30:10)  There are times when The Lord God speaks in “a still small voice” to His people. (1 Kings 19:12-13)  At times the voice of The Lord is powerful. (Psalms 29:4-5)  The voice of God can create something out of nothing. (Genesis 1:1-30)  At other times His voice can be soft and gentle.  Jesus, The Christ, said that His sheep know His voice and follow Him. (John 10:27)  As a believer we need to listen carefully for our call, answer it, and then get busy doing whatever it is that The Lord has for us to do.  He also speaks to us today through His Holy Word so read it prayerfully.  Woe be unto them who hear the voice of The Lord and understand it but do not hearken unto it. (Deuteronomy 28:62 and 1 Samuel 12:15)

RUTH IS BLESSED

PROCLAMATION

“So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife; and when he went in unto her, The Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son.”  Ruth 4:13 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The Bible Book of Ruth was written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  As part of his attempt to acquire Ruth, Boaz met with the kinsman, guardian-redeemer who was more closely related to Naomi than he was. (Ruth 3:12 and 4:1)  Boaz took ten elders with him to witness the transactions of the sale of Naomi’s property and the acquisition of Ruth.  When the guardian-redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it”  Boaz announced that he would redeem it. (Ruth 4:2-10)  Afterwards, Boaz took Ruth as his wife and she conceived and bore him a son Obed, who would become the father of Jessie, the father of David. (Ruth 4:13-17)  The chapter and the Bible Book of Ruth ends with listing of the genealogy of David. (Ruth 4:18-22)

 

APPLICATION

All things happen for a reason, even if that reason is not apparent at the time of the occurrence.  The Lord can turn bad things into blessings and our enemies can become steppingstones to higher ground.  Sometimes what The Good Lord has in store for us is better than the thing that we wanted for ourselves, and better than the thing that we lost.  We just need to learn to count it all as joy when bad things happen (James 1:2) because even the darkest of storm clouds can have a silver lining.  Blessings come to those who wait on The Lord.