Tag Archives: Encouragement

Even before King Saul had failed as Israel’s first king, God had his replacement picked out. The Lord would use this next one, King David, to establish a throne that will last forever, one that we will witness and already have witnessed. The aging prophet Samuel was dejected. The man he had anointed as king,Continue reading ““This is the One” – 1 Samuel 16”

King Saul might not have had a heart for God, but his son, Jonathan, certainly did. Jonathan saw that Israel was once again under oppression from the Philistines and decided that now was the time to do something about it.  His father, the king, was apparently content with the status quo, but Jonathan was not. Continue reading “A Trembling in the Camp – 1 Samuel 14”

9 Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other.  I am God, and there is none like Me,10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’ Isaiah 46:9-10 (NKJV) Because of his careless attitude towards God’s ways and his later misrepresentations toContinue reading “The End from the Beginning – 1 Samuel 13”

Saul would be God’s selection for the first king of Israel.  The people had been demanding a king from the aging prophet Samuel, demanding one who would be like those of the enemy nations around them.  Their yearning for a king was a desire for a physical, not spiritually strong, leader.  They no longer wantedContinue reading ““Is Saul also among the Prophets?” – 1 Samuel 10”

Out of all Israel, God selected Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, to be their first king. 17 So when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, “There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people.”  1 Samuel 9:17 (NKJV) It was known from earliest prophecy that the scepterContinue reading “Israel’s First King – 1 Samuel 8-9”

After the Lord thundered, sending the invading Philistines into a panic, the tables were turned and the invaders ran for their lives. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and drove them back as far as below Beth Car. 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and calledContinue reading “The Ebenezer Stone – 1 Samuel 7”

The prophet and head priest Samuel continued the process of delivering Israel from the the invading Philistines, but it was going to be done by the divine power of God and not by the sword. Israel had pretty much turned their backs upon God at this point and were worshiping the gods of the Canaanites,Continue reading “The Lord Thunders – 1 Samuel 7”

Scientists tell us HOW the universe is currently expanding out from a central point that began with a Big Bang.  This created universe is being stretched throughout the heavens at a rapid clip. Scripture tells us WHO is responsible for the stretching.  It also tells us that creation has a purpose, God’s purpose.  He formedContinue reading “God vs. Dagon – 1 Samuel 5-6”

The head priest, Eli, had been planning to turn the priesthood over to his two sons.  Unfortunately, his sons were immoral and corrupt, and their actions were leading some to sin and others were discouraged from even coming to the tabernacle to offer a sacrifice. 17 Therefore the sin of the young men was very great beforeContinue reading “The New Order – 1 Samuel 4”

10 Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!  Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) Samson judged Israel for twenty years, beginning God’s process of freeing Israel from the cruel grip of the Philistines.  Although Samson had been given phenomenal strength through his Nazirite vows, he didContinue reading “Be Still and Know – 1 Samuel 3”