Monday, March 15, I Samuel 13
Vv. 13-14 — Israel was not a democracy, but a theocracy. That means that God was the supreme commander of Israel. God spoke to Israel through Samuel. By not waiting for Samuel and God’s marching orders, Saul actually was disobeying God. Today God speaks to us through His Word. We are to listen to it and obey it. “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28
Tuesday, March 16, I Samuel 14
- 6 — How much aren’t we like Saul at times! We panic at difficulty and feel all is lost. Our faith is to be like Jonathan’s. He believed that with God nothing is impossible. God proved it. Read again vv. 13-15.
- 24 — This was a foolish oath Saul demanded his army to take. It almost cost the life of his son, Jonathan (vv. 43-45). According to God’s Word, we can take oaths in a court of law for the welfare of our neighbor and to the glory of God. Outside of that, we aren’t to swear, just speak the truth as Jesus says in Matt. 5:33-37.
Wednesday, March 17, I Samuel 15
- 24 — Saul’s repentance was not the kind God looks for in us. Instead of being totally sorry for his sins, he tries to make excuses. True repentance is admitting I’m wrong, taking full responsibility for that wrong, and having faith in the forgiveness of sins. Read Ps. 51 as an example of true repentance. As we, then, throw ourselves on God’s mercy found in the Gospel, God assures us that our sins are all forgiven. Look at Ps. 103:2, 3, 11-12.
- 33 — The NKJV uses much stronger language than the NIV. It tells us that Samuel hacked to pieces King Agag! God hates sin! Here we see clearly His utter contempt for it. How are we saved? Read Rom. 6:23.
Thursday, March 18, I Samuel 16
- 7 — Often we judge when someone rejects the Word and lives in defiance of God. That the evil spirit came from God meant God
permitted that evil spirit, Satan, to torment Saul. Read in connection with this Job 1:12 and Mark 5:1-13. Satan and his evil demons are completely subject to God.
- 23 — Notice what gave relief to Saul. Martin Luther said, “Next to theology, I give music the highest and most honorable place.” This, of course, is music that praises and glorifies Go
Friday, March 19, I Samuel 17
Vv. 4-7 — In today’s measurement, Goliath was over 9 feet tall! His coat of armor was about 150 pounds and his iron spearhead weighed 20 lbs.
Vv. 45-50 — David, and rightly so, gave credit for his victory to the Lord. What David accomplished was physically impossible for him to do. David’s victory reminds us of David’s greater descendant, Jesus, who saved all of us not by the sword or spear. Jesus’ awesome victory was when He freed us from sin, death and hell through His perfect atonement for us on Calvary’s cross. Through the defeat of that “Goliath,” God gave us eternal life.
Saturday, March 20, I Samuel 18
- 7 — This passage gives us no right to justify dancing. Because there is no word of God spoken concerning it in the New Testament, we’d have to regard it as an adiaphora. An adiaphora is one of those things where there is no law. Our guide in dancing would be this passage in I Cor. 10:31: “Whether, therefore, you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Also this one: “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality.” (Eph. 5:3)
Vv. 8-11 — Do people irritate you at times because they are more successful and out-do you in life? Such uncontrolled jealousy can lead to murder as in the case of Saul. How do we deal with that? When we faithfully fill our minds with Jesus’ love found in the Gospel and come often to Holy Communion, the Holy Spirit drives out jealousy. He, instead, moved us to show love and kindness even to our enemies. (Eph. 4:31, 32 and Gal. 5:22, 23)