For 40 Days – Day 20: Intimidation: Consequences

Key Episode Scripture: 1 Samuel chapters 16-18 Then the princes of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed. (1 Samuel 18:30 ESVUK) David vs Goliath. If you want an immediately recognisable bible story, […]

For 40 Days – Day 19: Intimidation: Conclusions

Key Episode Scripture: 1 Samuel chapters 16-18 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the […]

For 40 Days – Day 18: Intimidation: Concepts

Key Episode Scripture: 1 Samuel chapters 16-18 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. (1 Samuel 16:13 ESVUK) The challenge was simple. This warfare doesn’t require all of us; it can just be a one-on-one contest. That challenge […]

For 40 Days – Day 17: Intimidation: Content

Key Episode Scripture: 1 Samuel chapters 16-18 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. (1 Samuel 17:50 ESVUK) For 40 Days, the army of Israel was intimidated by one man. What led to […]

For 40 Days – Day 16: Intimidation: Context

Key Episode Scripture: 1 Samuel chapters 16-18 Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. (1 Samuel 18:12 ESVUK) Fear not. This instruction is common in God’s interactions with those He called. Indeed, the apostle Paul would encourage his protégé Timothy that God didn’t give him the spirit of fear. This […]

Sam’s 2nd Epic 01 – How the Mighty have Fallen

“How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!” (2 Samuel 1:27 NIV) The Story So Far God’s chosen people, Israel, have endured another cycle of disobedience and defeat in the last days of Eli the priest. As his time comes to a tragic end, his successor emerges not from his seed, but […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 31 – The King is Dead

When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men marched through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. Then they took their bones and […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 28 – Troubled Saul

When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? (1 Samuel 28:5‭, ‬16 NIV) Philistines vs Israel. Battles between the two appeared to be as regular as day following night. King Saul, […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 26 – Reinforcing the Lesson

“The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord ’s anointed. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” (1 Samuel 26:23‭-‬24 NIV) A […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 24 – Right Where You Want Him

He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord ’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord .” (1 Samuel 24:6 NIV) Considering his situation, it’s understandable why those around him urged him to take that […]