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1 Samuel 21 - Outward, not Inward

Many times in life we do things just for show, we are not doing it because of true motives associated with the action. We give a present because the other person gave us one, we put money into the offering plate because the guy next to us did, we tell someone "I'll pray for you.", not because we will, but because we want the conversation to end, we obey traffic laws so that we don't get fined, and the list goes on.

I noticed this today.

1 Samuel 21:7 Now Doeg the Edomite, Saul's chief herdsman, was there that day for ceremonial purification.

Doeg is a non-Jew living among the Jews.

His nationality is one of a few a special protected classes as defined by God. Edomites are descendents of Esau, who is a son of Israel.

Deuteronomy 23:7 Do not detest the Edomites or the Egyptians, because the Edomites are your relatives, and you lived as foreigners among the Egyptians.

Doeg is in the city of Nob because that is apparently where the nearest priest is located. He's there for a "ceremonial purification". So it would appear that Doeg is a man who believes and obeys the ceremonial laws of the Jews.

Sadly, his belief was merely external, not internal. His purification was directed outward, not inward. He was being "purified" because he was expected to do so, not because of his own conviction.

Look at what he says about Ahimelech the priest at Nob.

1 Samuel 22:9-10 Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing there with Saul's men, spoke up. "When I was at Nob," he said, "I saw David talking to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech consulted the LORD to find out what David should do. Then he gave David food and the sword of Goliath the Philistine."

Ahimelech did not consult the Lord for David. That was a blatant lie. He had merely given David food and Goliath's sword - something that was already David's.

Further evidence of that Doeg's convictions were merely outward is that he had no problem murdering the priests of that city, and all of their families. Saul ordered his soldiers and bodyguards to kill the priests of Nob. They refused, knowing it was sin. So Saul turned to Doeg.

1 Samuel 22:18-19 Then the king said to Doeg, "You do it." So Doeg turned on them and killed them, eighty-five priests in all, all still wearing their priestly tunics. Then he went to Nob, the city of the priests, and killed the priests' families—men and women, children and babies, and all the cattle, donkeys, and sheep.

This is not evidence of a man who believes that the priests of Nob are servants of God. He indiscriminately slaughters them.

So, back to the opening paragraph; why do we give presents, put money in the offering plate, say we'll pray, or obey traffic laws? Is there an inward reason? Or is it merely outward show?

Lord, may my motives be pure. Please give me the desire to please you in all I do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Inward, and Upward. Jan
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1 Samuel 20 - Insight

I've always thought it a bit strange that Jonathan would side with David over his own flesh-and-blood father. But I noticed something today that explains that allegiance a bit.

1 Samuel 20:13 But if he is angry and wants you killed, may the LORD kill me if I don't warn you so you can escape and live. May the LORD be with you as he used to be with my father.

Jonathan was witness to the fact that the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul. It was clear to him, despite his familial bond, that his father was no longer the man he once was.

I've been going through the book Walking with God, by John Eldredge, for quite some time now with a group of my friends. In it the author opens his journals from a one-year period of his life to show how he, and those he lives in community with, walk with God. But this past Saturday one of the people in my community of friends made an observation about walking with God that brings Saul into a new light.

My friend observed that we always assume that God is walking with us, that God is my co-pilot, that Jesus walks with me and talks with me..., and all that. But have we considered that God wants us to walk with Him? He wants to take us places, have us do things that we would never consider. Most of the time we continue in our myopic vision of the world around us painfully ignorant of the glories that God wants to reveal to us would we only follow Him, instead of expecting Him to follow us around.

Which brings me back to Saul. He expected God to be with him, to bless his choices, to enable him to have a nice little life. Myopic. God had so much more in mind. When Saul tried, one time too many, to go places God did not want him to go, God left. That void was evident to those that knew him - Saul was no longer the man he once was.

Father, may I be willing and do what is needed to walk with you. Please give me a burning passion in my soul to follow you anywhere. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Look for the footsteps, listen for the footfalls. Jan
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1 Samuel 19 - Such Fury

Lately I've been noticing more often than not, to quote Tolkien, that "open warfare" is upon me whether I would want it or not.

Up until recently my days went blissfully by, with me quite ignorant of the battles raging about me. No more. The signs are everywhere. All I need to do is pay attention to the evidence of what my physical eyes do not see. I may not see the combatants, but I clearly see the carnage their continual barrage of assaults leaves behind. So yes, I am very aware.

Yet my enemy, and his band of craven brigands, wants nothing more than my ignorance or apathy to remain. I must remind myself, daily, hourly if necessary, that there is a din of war echoing into eternity all about me. I must awaken that spirit within me that knows that the spiritual, the unseen, is much more real than the physical, temporal world in which my spirit resides.

But being aware is useless if action does not result. Spiritual warfare, one that dumps casualties of war into the temporal, must be fought in both realms as well.

To effectively wage warfare back means that I must arm myself with the armor the Lord provides. It is clearly outlined in Ephesians chapter six. And as has been noted by many of my contemporaries, I am not told anywhere to take my armor off - ever.

My weapons are; prayer, the spoken word of God, and the shield of faith. Some may wonder about that last piece of weaponry; however, a shield is quite effective in close-quarters combat to bludgeon your enemy. Faith can overcome many a whispered lie.

But to be most effective, I must not engage my enemy alone. If I am to take back ground that has been ceded to the darkness, I must do so with overwhelming force.

To that end, I live in a band of brothers - Wildmen - who I can count on to help, to correct, and to love each other enough to die for one another if necessary.

I, no we, are being roused from our slumber. We are going to take back what was given to us by our God. We will unleash heaven's fury.

1 Samuel 19:8 War broke out shortly after that, and David led his troops against the Philistines. He attacked them with such fury that they all ran away.

This is how we are to engage our foe, the enemies of our freedom - a freedom that Christ paid such a high price for! Flanked by the host of heaven (armies of angels, for those that don't speak King James English), we are to attack with such fury that the demons of hell run away.

Open warfare is upon us. We must attack with reckless abandon, we must show ourselves as soldiers of Christ. If we are dead to self, and alive to Christ, then we have nothing to fear. You cannot kill a dead man. And none but God can judge the spirit of a man - that which is alive to Christ.

So, join me - fight like a man that knows he is already dead. Fight like men that have nothing to fear.

Lord, may I fight to please my commander - Jesus. In his name, Amen.

I hear the bugle. Jan
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1 Samuel 18 - From Where?

Maybe I'm getting braver. But I'm going to "go there". What in the world is this about?

1 Samuel 18:10a The very next day, in fact, a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave like a madman.

Earlier I'd skipped over the references to the the "evil spirit" and the "tormenting spirit" that brought fear and depression. But I have to pause and ask, "God sent this?"

Then this verse comes to mind from the King James bible.

Amos 3:6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?

Hmm, what about Job? That was the Lord's doing. He's the one that picked the fight with Satan, and He allowed Satan to torment and bring evil upon Job.

I also see the following verses.

1 Kings 22:22-23 'How will you do this?' the LORD asked. And the spirit replied, 'I will go out and inspire all Ahab's prophets to speak lies.' 'You will succeed,' said the LORD. 'Go ahead and do it.'

So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of your prophets. For the LORD has determined disaster for you.

The Lord sent the lying spirit... Hmm.

So what about the following verse?

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

I'm not sure I understand. Anyone have some input on this?

Lord, I need wisdom and your counsel. Please reveal it. In Jesus' name, Amen.

More to come... Jan
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1 Samuel 17 - Spirit of Fear

In a previous posting I'd written about Saul being a Warrior-Machine; that he was fearless. Well, I see today that something has changed.

1 Samuel 17:11 When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.

Saul was terrified of Goliath, not just the Israelites. What happened to the fearless man?

Well, just one chapter earlier I found the following.

1 Samuel 16:14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and the LORD sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.

I'm not going to touch the part about "the Lord sent..." with a barge pole. But what I do notice is that the spirit that invaded Saul's life filled him with fear.

I see in the New Testament that:

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom.

So, since the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, there was no longer a freedom about him.

1 John 4:17-18 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

God had rejected Saul, withdrew his love. At one time Saul had God's perfect love, the Holy Spirit, living on and with him. He was fearless and bold. Alas, all that changed. Now he was filled with depression and fear.

Father, may I live my life in a way that always welcomes you and your Holy Spirit. I need his perfect love to cast out fear. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Live in the Spirit of love, Jan
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1 Samuel 16 - Fear

My wife has a saying, "Insecurities, reduce us to lunatics."

Samuel, asked God for thunder and lightning a few chapters ago, and God did it.

1 Samuel 12:18 So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain. And all the people were terrified of the LORD and of Samuel.

Yet not much later this same man is afraid of the very person he'd anointed as king.

1 Samuel 16:2 But Samuel asked, "How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me." "Take a heifer with you," the LORD replied, "and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the LORD.

He is afraid for his life because God has told him to go anoint a new king to replace Saul. Rather than trust in God, he is insecure. But look at how the people react when seeing Samuel.

1 Samuel 16:4 So Samuel did as the LORD instructed him. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the leaders of the town became afraid. "What's wrong?" they asked. "Do you come in peace?"

They were terrified. They knew full well the power that Samuel had backing him up. They'd seen it the day that Saul was crowned king.

Just a short while earlier, after the slaughter of the Amalekites, Samuel had directly confronted Saul. He told him he was sinning, God was ripping the kingdom from him, and then as a postscript hacked king Agag to death. You'd think Samuel would be pretty pumped up.

However, as most of us do, Samuel forgot where his strength comes from. It seems to happen especially after the mountain-top experience, when we've done great deeds for God.

Lord, please help me to remember and to rely on you. It is only in you that I have hope and strength. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Fear God, not men, Jan
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1 Samuel 15 - Kenites

I used to work with a guy named Ken, a likeable fellow. He was quite competent and I was sorry to see him go when he was laid off. I wonder if his family will one day be named the Kenites?

All joking aside, I did have to wonder, who are these Kenites I see mentioned in this verse.

1 Samuel 15:6 Saul sent this message to the Kenites: "Move away from where the Amalekites live or else you will die with them. For you were kind to the people of Israel when they came up from Egypt." So the Kenites packed up and left.

So, I pulled out my Palm handheld, fired up my Olive Tree Bible Reader and looked up the work "Kenites" in the KJV Bible with Strong's reference. I read there that:

The Kenites were "smiths", as in workers of metal or iron, and that they were of the tribe that Moses' father-in-law was from.

Ok, but how were they kind to the people of Israel? What did they do? I found lots of references to Kenites when I checked my Palm's Olive Tree International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, and the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary.

Perhaps it was because Jethro, Moses' father-in-law gave good advice to Moses about how to lead the people.

Exodus 18:24-26 Moses listened to his father-in-law's advice and followed his suggestions. He chose capable men from all over Israel and made them judges over the people. They were put in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. These men were constantly available to administer justice. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but they judged the smaller matters themselves.

I also see that a Kenite woman, Jael, killed king Sisera, an enemy of Israel.

Judges 4:21 But when Sisera fell asleep from exhaustion, Jael quietly crept up to him with a hammer and tent peg. Then she drove the tent peg through his temple and into the ground, and so he died.

Whether it was these two or others, their acts of kindness and alliance with Israel were not unnoticed, and it saved their people living in Amalekite territory from annihilation.

It makes you wonder, what deeds are we storing up for future generations? Jetro and Jael were many centuries removed from the events of the Amalekite retribution, yet their deeds tipped the scales toward the preservation of their people.

Father, may I store up good works and noble deeds for my posterity. May they do likewise. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pay it forward. Jan
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1 Samuel 14 - Faith in the Lord

I love the following lines of dialog between Saul's son, Jonathan, and his armor bearer.

1 Samuel 14:6-7 "Let's go across to see those pagans," Jonathan said to his armor bearer. "Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!"

"Do what you think is best," the youth replied. "I'm with you completely, whatever you decide."

What courage and faith! "Nothing can hinder the Lord", "I'm with you completely." That's faith!

Contrast that with, "Oh man, it is income tax time again, how am I ever going to pay?" "I have to not pay tithes this pay-period, I just can't afford that and the mortgage." "I'm afraid to speak against the vulgar language at work, what will they think of me?"

I want to be a man who says, "Nothing can hinder the Lord." What about you?

Father, please give me a heart for you, and a faith in you that cannot be shaken. Help me to be one who is wholly dedicated to you and your will. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have faith. Jan
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1 Samuel 13 - The Thirteenth Warrior

In 1999 a movie by the name of the Thirteenth Warrior was released to the theaters. Despite the poor plot, the acting was good, and the story spoke to the hearts of men and boys. It had heroic deeds, great battles, good vs. evil, a small band of brothers - thirteen to be exact - on a mission from God. All but one gave their lives to save a village from a terrible evil.

As I was reading the thirteenth chapter of first Samuel, I was struck by just how much of a warrior King Saul was. From the time he was anointed king, to his death, he was engaged in battle.

Today I noticed something that surprised me. Although in retrospect I guess it shouldn't have. It is in this verse.

1 Samuel 13:1 Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-two years.

I combined that verse with the following verses to paint a picture that was hitherto unseen by me. In the verse below the Philistines have amassed an army of innumerable soldiers. They are intent on attack. The Hebrews start to scatter in fear upon learning of this.

1 Samuel 13:7 Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead. Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear.

Notice that while Saul's men trembled in fear, Saul did not. He was fearless.

1 Samuel 13:47-48 Now when Saul had secured his grasp on Israel's throne, he fought against his enemies in every direction—against Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he turned, he was victorious. He did great deeds and conquered the Amalekites, saving Israel from all those who had plundered them.

1 Samuel 13:52a The Israelites fought constantly with the Philistines throughout Saul's lifetime.

The man who was once a farmer was truly transformed into a warrior machine. His first act as king was to go to war, and he fought battles continually. Up to the end.

1 Samuel 31:3-6 The fighting grew very fierce around Saul, and the Philistine archers caught up with him and wounded him severely. Saul groaned to his armor bearer, "Take your sword and kill me before these pagan Philistines run me through and humiliate me." But his armor bearer was afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When his armor bearer realized that Saul was dead, he fell on his own sword and died beside the king. So Saul, three of his sons, his armor bearer, and his troops all died together that same day.

Saul died that day in battle - a true warrior.

But remember, I started out saying that I'd noticed something new, right?

Well, how old was Saul when he died in battle?

He was seventy two years old!

And still he was leading the troops into battle. Wow.

Father, may I never give up, never surrender. May I still be leading the troops into spiritual battle on the day you call me home. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Charge! Jan
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1 Samuel 12 - If

What an annoying conjunction "if" is. It would seem that nearly every promise or plan of the Lord carries with it an if.

The prophet Samuel assembled the people and presented them their new king. Then came three ifs.

1 Samuel 12:14 "Now if you will fear and worship the LORD and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD's commands, and if you and your king follow the LORD your God, then all will be well.

They were to:

• Fear the Lord
• Accept the Lord's commands
• Follow the Lord.

Then all would be well.

Those conditions still apply to us.

Proverbs 1:7a The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.

If we fear the Lord then we are able to assimilate knowledge, but not just any knowledge.

Psalm 119:66-68 Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes.

It is a knowledge born out of the fear that God is sovereign and desires us to be holy. It is a fear of his chastening us so that we will obey his commands.

Psalm 119:101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word.

Colossians 1:10 ...walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

When we, out of fear and reverence for the Lord, obey his commandments, we continue to increase our knowledge of the Lord. Doing so enables us to walk in a way that shows we are one of his. And we show that we are indeed following him by doing the work that he did, works that he told us to emulate.

Father, may I fear, accept and follow you - always. In Jesus' name, Amen.

It all depends on "if". Jan
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1 Samuel 11 - Spirit of the Lord

I've heard this before, but in today's reading it was amazingly explicit. Saul is back home, plowing. He is not appearing very king-like. A messenger comes and reports of a great injustice that is about the be perpetrated upon the city of Jabesh-Gilead.

1 Samuel 11:6 Then the Spirit of God came mightily upon Saul, and he became very angry.

Now, Saul did not become angry about the Spirit of God coming upon him. No, it was the Spirit of God that made him angry. Sometimes the Spirit of God manifests in justice and retribution. He motivates us to fulfill God's will in ways that many of the meek-and-mild crowd would find appalling. Yet the text is clear that Saul's anger was from God.

It was a righteous anger that motivated him to step up and be the leader that he'd been anointed to be. He killed the oxen he was plowing with, making a clean break with his past. He was no longer a farmer, he was stepping into his role of king.

1 Samuel 11:7 He took two oxen and cut them into pieces and sent the messengers to carry them throughout Israel with this message: "This is what will happen to the oxen of anyone who refuses to follow Saul and Samuel into battle!" And the LORD made the people afraid of Saul's anger, and all of them came out together as one.

The result was an overwhelming victory for the Hebrews, and the unanimous acknowledgement that Saul was king.

1 Samuel 11:15 So they went to Gilgal, and in a solemn ceremony before the LORD they crowned him king. Then they offered peace offerings to the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites were very happy.

Sometimes a crisis is needed to bring us into our place of calling. But always, the Spirit of God is needed to accomplish God's goals. And sometimes God's Spirit is not meek, no sometimes he comes to execute justice, but never in a way to harm his own.

Father, may I allow myself to be led by your Spirit. In Jesus' name, Amen.

How does God's Spirit manifest in your life? Jan
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1 Samuel 10 - Details

The Lord provided four distinct things to Saul. They were a picture of what God had in store for him, and for us, as long as he was faithful.

1 Samuel 10:2 When you leave me today, you will see two men beside Rachel's tomb at Zelzah, on the border of Benjamin. They will tell you that the donkeys have been found and that your father is worried about you and is asking, 'Have you seen my son?'

God provided assurance, assurance that all was under control and that even the details were taken care of.

1 Samuel 10:3-4 "When you get to the oak of Tabor, you will see three men coming toward you who are on their way to worship God at Bethel. One will be bringing three young goats, another will have three loaves of bread, and the third will be carrying a skin of wine. They will greet you and offer you two of the loaves, which you are to accept.

God provided nourishment, meeting Saul's physical and the spiritual need. Saul was three days away from home he needed food for the trip. Additionally, the men were on their way to worship. And it was from the attitude of worship that they shared.

1 Samuel 10:5-6 "When you arrive at Gibeah of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is located, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the altar on the hill. They will be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre, and they will be prophesying. At that time the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you with power, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person.

God provided supernatural power and change. What once was a farmer, a peasant, was transformed on the inside by God into a king. His nature was changed, although he didn't realize it yet.

1 Samuel 10:8 Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me and wait for me there seven days. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. When I arrive, I will give you further instructions."

The fourth thing provided was, I think, the most special. It was that God would continue to give direction, that Saul was not being asked to do this alone.

Like Saul, these things are offered to us from God. We just need to follow his instructions and accept them. And unlike Saul, we should always remember that obedience is better than sacrifice.

Father, thank you for providing for my needs. May I not stray from your will. And if I should, help me to quickly get back on the right path. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God is in the details. Jan
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1 Samuel 9 - Let's go ask the Seer

Whom do you go to for wisdom, for counsel, for insight when you want need guidance? It there anyone you can trust to speak God's truth into your life, and know that they are not leading you astray or promoting their own agenda, thoughts or ideas?

In the days of Samuel the prophet there was one certain method of receiving guidance.

1 Samuel 9:9 In those days if people wanted a message from God, they would say, "Let's go and ask the seer," for prophets used to be called seers.

But times have changed. Jesus came to be the mediator between God and men. There is no longer a "seer" that relays God's word.

So, do you go to God? And does he speak? And if so, are you listening?

Hebrews 12:24-25 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which graciously forgives instead of crying out for vengeance as the blood of Abel did. See to it that you obey God, the one who is speaking to you. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, how terrible our danger if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!

Yes, God speaks. But we must listen, and then obey what he says.

Revelation 2:7 Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches...

You are now the Seer. But are you in communion with God?

Heavenly Father, may I faithfully listen, and obey that which you say. Please give me ears to hear and a willing heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Do you see? Jan
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1 Samuel 8 - Rejection of Authority

In this chapter Samuel is getting old so he appoints his two sons to be judges in his place. However, the people are not happy about it.

1 Samuel 8:3-5 The sons didn’t follow their father’s example but turned to dishonest ways of making money. They took bribes and denied people justice.

Then all the leaders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They told him, "You’re old, and your sons aren’t following your example. Now appoint a king to judge us so that we will be like all the other nations."

What I find interesting about this is God's response.

1 Samuel 8:7 The LORD told Samuel, "Listen to everything the people are saying to you. They haven’t rejected you; they’ve rejected me."

Clearly the sons were corrupt, the text is not ambiguous in any way about that. So how were the people guilty of rejecting God instead of Samuel's sons?

Psalm 75:6-7 For no one on earth – from east or west, or even from the wilderness – can raise another person up. It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall.

This is explained a bit more by the Apostle Paul.

Romans 13:1-2 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

The corrupt sons of Samuel were God's responsibility to deal with, not the people's. By rejecting the authority that God had allowed Samuel to set up, the people were rejecting God.

Hopefully we remember this lesson that the Hebrews painfully learned and don't repeat it.

Our job is to pray for, encourage, and obey those in authority over us - provided of course that what they are asking us to do does not violate the word of God. If that should be the case, we are then to respectfully decline to obey that particular request or order, and then faithfully suffer any consequences.

Father, help me to pray for those in authority over me, whether I agree with them or not. In Jesus' name, Amen.

It is in the Lord's hands. Jan
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1 Samuel 7 - How Long?

I read this chapter a few times and was drawn to the first few verses, the ones about the Ark and how long it was at Kirjath-Jearim. In looking for the history of this town I found that apparently this passage of scripture is subject to some controversy.

1 Samuel 7:1-2 Then the men of Kirjath Jearim came and took the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill, and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.

2 So it was that the ark remained in Kirjath Jearim a long time; it was there twenty years. And all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

A quick read of the text above shows that the Ark was in the same place for twenty years. However, the following scriptures would seem to indicate differently.

2 Samuel 6:2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim.

1 Chronicles 13:5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.

Baale Judah was another name for Kirjath-Jearim. According to Acts 13:21 Saul was king for forty years. So how could King David, who became king after Saul, have brought the Ark out of Kirjath-Jearim if it was only located there for twenty years?

The answer is quite obvious if someone isn't looking to create a controversy. The translators of the Holman Christian Standard Bible version got it right.

1 Samuel 7:2 Time went by until twenty years had passed since the ark had been taken to Kiriath-jearim. Then the whole house of Israel began to seek the Lord.

The time-frame was not how long the Ark was located in Kirjath-Jearim, rather it was how long it took the Hebrews to realize that they were not right with God and that he had lifted his hand of blessing off of them.

What's funny is John Wycliffe got it right in 1395, yet somehow the King James Translators messed it up.

1 Samuel 7:2 And it was doon, fro which dai `the arke of the Lord dwellide in Caryathiarym, daies weren multiplied; for the twentithe yeer was now, after that Samuel bigan to teche the puple; and al Israel restide aftir the Lord.

It takes a bit of practice to read the English of Wycliffe. Translated it says:

And it was then, from which day the Ark of the Lord dwelled in Carythiarym, days were multiplied; for the twentieth year was now, after that Samuel began to teach the people; and all Israel rested after the Lord.

(The word rested meant to 'stay behind', as in lingering or longing for.)

Hopefully it never takes us twenty years to realize that we are missing the mark with God.

Father, please give me the grace to quickly seek you when I move out of your will. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Rest after the Lord.
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1 Samuel 6 - Ain't that special

I can hear the conversation now.

"Oh Rachel, that broach you're wearing, it's so unique. What is it?"

Rachel replies, "This, it's nothing. Just a little golden hemorrhoid and a rat that I picked up while visiting Askelon last week."

The Ark of God has been in Philistine controlled territory for seven months. And for seven months diseases ravage the people and rats ravage their crops. The people can't take it any more so they beg their priests and "diviners" to tell them what to do. Their priests tell them, send the Ark back, but include a "guilt offering".

1 Samuel 6:4 "What sort of guilt offering should we send?" they asked. And they were told, "Since the plague has struck both you and your five rulers, make five gold tumors and five gold rats, just like those that have ravaged your land."

Um, you want us to make gold what?

Sometimes people are so stupid.

1 Samuel 6:5 Make these things to show honor to the God of Israel. Perhaps then he will stop afflicting you, your gods, and your land.

Their "god" is obviously powerless. You'd think they would repent, and vow to serve the one that was more powerful. Then they could ask God's prophets and priests what the appropriate guilt offering would be. But no, they decide that they need to defend their god. Phuleez.

As I sit here all self-righteous, I realize that sometimes I'm just as stupid.

How often do I defend "gods" of my own making when it is clear that the God of Heaven and Earth wants me to give them up?

I do things a certain way because that is the way I've always done it. I refuse to give up TV programs, certain foods, possessions, relationships, and the list of my little "gods" goes on.

Father, may I submit to your will, not mine. Please give me wisdom in knowing what things to keep, and what to discard. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Don't gold-plate the Hemorrhoid. Jan
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1 Samuel 5 - Threshold

There was a passage in this chapter that confused me. I could not understand what the following reference was implying.

1 Samuel 5:4-5 But the next morning the same thing happened—the idol had fallen face down before the Ark of the LORD again. This time his head and hands had broken off and were lying in the doorway. Only the trunk of his body was left intact. That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor anyone who enters the temple of Dagon will step on its threshold.

What does it mean when it says that they won't "step on its threshold"?

I did some research into this topic. What I didn't notice was that when Dagon fell into (or out) the doorway of his temple, he was broken by the impact with the threshold. Part of him is inside, part outside.

Apparently since their "god" was broken by the threshold, it became a sacred object. Thus nobody dared to step onto the threshold.

Approximately 300 years later the Hebrews were emulating this pagan practice and had extended it to most thresholds. That is why God specifically mentioned it in this pronouncement of judgment.

Zephaniah 1:9 In the same day I will punish All those who leap over the threshold, Who fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.

What I find amazing is that even now we participate in this practice, although most modern scholars attribute it to Roman origins. How do we practice it you ask? We do it by carrying the bride over the threshold.

The Romans believed that "evil sprits" or a "ground monster" dwelt in doorways. By carrying the bride over, the groom would prevent them from tripping her up thus keep them from bringing the marriage bad luck.

Father, thank you for an interesting trip through history. May I be more wary of traditions that may not honor you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Step on it. Jan
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1 Samuel 4 - Eli's End

This chapter, the last one of Eli's life, is the one that convinced me that although he was a reprehensible father with his two sons, his heart was right with God.

The Hebrews were getting their butts kicked in battle so they decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the head of the battle to save them. However, their trust was greatly misplaced.

1 Samuel 4:3 After the battle was over, the army of Israel retreated to their camp, and their leaders asked, "Why did the LORD allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?" Then they said, "Let's bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies."

God does not reside in a box, he wants us to worship him, not the trappings of religion.

Back to Eli. He must have had some misgivings about the Ark being taken to the head of the battle. He knew full well that his two sons were unworthy to carry it.

1 Samuel 4:13a Eli was waiting beside the road to hear the news of the battle, for his heart trembled for the safety of the Ark of God.

Notice that his heart didn't tremble for his two sons, no it was for God's Ark.

He received word from a survivor of the battle about the fate of his sons and the Ark.

1 Samuel 4:18 When the messenger mentioned what had happened to the Ark, Eli fell backward from his seat beside the gate. He broke his neck and died, for he was old and very fat. He had led Israel for forty years.

It was the news about the Ark that caused Eli to fall backward, not his sons. Eli was more concerned for God and his reputation than his own flesh and blood. Pity that he apparently didn't come to this realization with his two worthless sons until it was too late to affect change in them.

With this the priesthood of Eli's family ended. Samuel was now the highest authority in the land.

Father, please help me to ensure that I discipline my sons while there is time. Give me the strength to fight my natural inclination to be passive. May I be most concerned with what pleases You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What are you concerned most about? Jan
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1 Samuel 3 - Getting it Right

Eli, meaning ascension or ascent, was God's priest and judge for about 40 years. At the time of his death he was about 98 years old. From this alone it can be inferred that Eli was doing something right in God's eyes. Nowhere in the narrative do I see where Eli was not fulfilling his priestly duties or performing them incorrectly. In fact when Hannah received Eli's blessing, God honored it. If Eli had been a corrupt man, Hannah would have been a reprehensible fool to leave he young son with him. Clearly this was not the case with Eli.

However, his sons were another matter. God gave specific instructions as to how to deal with disobedient children.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, when they have chastened him, will not heed them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, to the gate of his city. And they shall say to the elders of his city, "This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.' Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones; so you shall put away the evil from among you, and all Israel shall hear and fear.

Eli, being the keeper of the law, a judge of what is right, would have known this command from God. He did not follow it. For this reason his entire household - those descended from Hophni and Phinehas, were judged.

Yet, I see something that is missed by many others. Samuel was dropped off on Eli's doorstep, so to speak, when Samuel was somewhere between the age of four and six. He saw his birth mother and father only once a year. It was Eli who raised Samuel. He was his stepfather. And clearly he raised him well, in the fear and respect of the Lord. Further I submit that Eli did fear and respect the Lord, he was however guilty of not loving God more than his natural children.

1 Samuel 2:29 So why do you scorn my sacrifices and offerings? Why do you honor your sons more than me—for you and they have become fat from the best offerings of my people!

But nowhere do I see that Eli did not respect the Lord's will. In fact look at his response to Samuel's retetlling of God's pronouncement of judgment on Eli and his family.

1 Samuel 3:18 So Samuel told Eli everything; he didn't hold anything back. "It is the LORD's will," Eli replied. "Let him do what he thinks best."

He understood and accepted his guilt. But, and this is a big but in my opinion, Eli apparently resolved to get it right with Samuel. Look at the very next verse.

1 Samuel 3:19 As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him, and everything Samuel said was wise and helpful.

It is evident that Samuel's stepfather, Eli, did raise at least one godly son.

Father, may I raise godly sons for your glory. Please give me wisdom, and strength to discipline when needed. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Love God more than anything else.
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1 Samuel 2 - A King?

I found something interesting in this chapter, several things actually. However, the following verse puzzles me.

1 Samuel 2:10 Those who fight against the LORD will be broken.
He thunders against them from heaven;
the LORD judges throughout the earth.
He gives mighty strength to his king;
he increases the might of his anointed one.

Hannah makes reference to the Lord's king. What king? Her six year old or so son would not anoint the first king to rule Israel for over thirty years. So who is she referring to?

The word king is the Hebrew word Melek, which means king or royal. The word anointed in Hebrew is Mashiyach, which means Messiah, king, or the high priest.

Most likely though Hannah was not talking about Eli, since in the next verse he is called by the Hebrew term "kohen", or priest. I suppose it could be that like us, the Hebrews didn't like to use the same word repeatedly in a narrative and looked for synonyms. If that was the case then Hannah could have been speaking of Eli. But knowing what we do about him, I doubt if God would have allowed such a beautiful poem to be marred by having someone unworthy be the inspiration.

If it isn't Eli, then I believe that Hannah could only have been prophetically looking forward to the coming of Jesus.

Heavenly Father, thank you that you insert little mysteries in plain sight. May they always point us to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The King is coming! Jan
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1 Samuel 1 - Love, Law, and Sacrificial Giving

This book opens with Elkanah, a descendent of Levi, in the paternal lineage of Moses, going with his two wives to worship the Lord. The undercurrent of the chapter was rivalry. It is clear that Elkanah loved his wife Hannah more than his wife Peninnah.

1 Samuel 1:4-5 On the day Elkanah presented his sacrifice, he would give portions of the sacrifice to Peninnah and each of her children. But he gave Hannah a special portion because he loved her very much, even though the LORD had given her no children.

So why did Elkanah have two wives if he loved one more than the other. Why not just stop at one?

A woman of that time was considered cursed if she didn't produce children. The Jews considered God's instruction in Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful, and multiply" to be a command. Thus, I suspect that Peninnah was wife number two, that Hannah was first. However, Elkanah being a righteous Jew would have felt compelled to uphold the commandment, and if Hannah couldn't be the one to enable that, perhaps a second wife could. Which she did, she produced both sons and daughters for him. Yet, Hannah remained barren.

Peninnah loved to rub it in Hannah's face too.

1 Samuel 1:6-7 But Peninnah made fun of Hannah because the LORD had closed her womb. Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Hannah would finally be reduced to tears and would not even eat.

God was preparing her heart, and Elkanah's, to give the ultimate gift to the Lord. As we know from the chapter, Hannah did have a son and gave him up to the Lord to live in the tabernacle with Eli the priest. Unless it had been clear to her that God was the one answering her prayer, she could have never done that. And if Elkanah had not already had other sons, he never could have permitted his sole heir to be sent away. The result was Samuel, a priest wholly dedicated to God.

1 Samuel 2:21 And the LORD gave Hannah three (more) sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.

Father, thank you for blessing Hannah. Thank you that you continue to bless us. May we willingly return to you the things that you bless us with. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Hold nothing temporal too tightly, it isn't yours.
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