1 Samuel 21-24

Saul pursues David to kill him. Saul murders priests.

David cuts Saul's coat and is filled with conviction that he has sinned against God's man.

1 Samuel 17-20

'Then Saul’s anger was aroused against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?"'

How many people prophesy naked in the Bible? Saul does. Isaiah. Ezekiel. Amos? Jesus from the cross. Why does Saul strip naked when the Spirit of God comes upon Him? What is God trying to teach him? Humility, vulnerability, trust, honesty? Saul dealt in deceit and secret plots. Ultimately he excluded even his own son from his schemes. Saul was open and accountable to no one. He covered himself.

Jonathan by contrast was transparent before David, a true Israelite in whom there was no guile. Saul saw the cost of such a friendship. Jonathan enjoyed the reward.

All of us stand exposed before God who reads our hearts. And yet we are clothed in white garments because He was stripped naked.

1 Samuel 5-8

Chapter 5 - God reveals He can look after Himself! The Philistines are stumped - their false gods can't do anything against the power of the Lord!
Chapter 8 - Wow - I had never realised that the introduction of a king was actually a sign of the people's rebellion (v7). Samuel makes clear to the people that a human king is very different to a divine king (v10-18) but they remain stubborn. When Christ comes, he finds the same response. The people want a human king, but not a divine one. When we accept Christ as Lord, we place ourselves under the rule of the truly divine King.

1 Samuel 1-4

The introduction of Samuel. Eli appears to serve God faithfully, but his inability to discipline his sons reveals a lack of wisdom - where's Phineas when you need him? The Israelites are defeated, and respond by bringing forth the Ark, like a lucky charm. Their faith was not in God, but in the Ark. So today we should not have faith in the image of Christ, but the person of Christ.

Ruth 1-4

A beautiful account, where we discover Ruth's words "Your God will be my God" were not spoken lightly, for she had truly 'taken refuge' under His wings (2v12). Boaz provides an example of the gentlemanliness that Christian men should have. He has a heart for the faithful servant (2v5, 3v10) and trusts the Lord that, by doing what is right in the Lord's eyes, the best outcome will follow.

1 Samuel 13-16

Saul was a religious man. He sacrificed to God seeking His intervention, and declared a fast for the people too. Unfortunately for Saul, God is interested in relationship and not ritual. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Sometimes we work when God is calling us to rest and we go without when God is expecting us to revel in His provision (honey on the ground). We must be careful not to be led by fear or anxiety (as Saul was) but instead to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit: feelings are not always right. Faith not fear. Grace not guilt.

1 Samuel 9-12

The obligation of intercession. Samuel says it would be a sin if he did not pray for the people. How seriously do we take God's command to pray for those who rule over us? We quench the Spirit when we ignore His commands.