Sam’s 1st Epic 19 – Saul vs David: Is Saul Among the Prophets?

So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, “Is Saul […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 18 – Saul vs David: The Battle Begins

When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. (1 Samuel 18:28‭-‬29 NIV) The story of battle that David is usually known for is his tussle with Goliath, but the real […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 17 – A Matter of Perspective

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord ’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47 NIV) Part of what makes a contest of such interest is the build up. Two opposing forces […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 16 – Man with the Spirit

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. (1 […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 15 – That’s Torn It

Why did you not obey the Lord ? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord ?” (1 Samuel 15:19 NIV) This episode in the life of Saul and the initial run of human monarchy in Israel is among the most tragic. It’s not as though Saul […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 14 – In Disarray

One reading of the 14th chapter of 1 Samuel is a king in disarray. His son goes off with his armour-bearer without anyone noticing and duly starts the routing of the enemy. Meanwhile Saul afflicts his already beleaguered troops with a charge that they are not to eat anything until he gets revenge on the […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 13 – Forgetting Your Place

“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 12 – Samuel’s Warning

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” (1 Samuel 12:24‭-‬25 NIV) It must have been a very emotional occasion. Samuel wasn’t dying. One of the […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 11 – Saul to the Rescue

In many ways, for King Saul, it was the best of times. Newly acknowledged as King over Israel, he faced his first crisis and this would be crucial in deciding what kind of king he would be. His people under siege to the Ammonite under a threat of great humiliation. Saul’s response to the siege […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 10 – The Appointment of Saul

Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!” (1 Samuel 10:24 NIV) Chapters 9-11 form a neat trilogy of the rise of the king. Chapter 10 is the truly transformative […]