May 8, 2014 (Thursday)
Thus far in our quest to compose devotional thoughts based on Bible books, we have worked through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges and Ruth. The next six books give an account of Israel’s history from the closing days of the Judges, through the reigns of Saul, David and Solomon and the division into two kingdoms, Judah and Israel. The books are 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 & 2 Chronicles. Let’s take a look at 1 Samuel.
Samuel’s mother was childless but promised God if He would give her a child she would surrender him to God’s service. She kept her word and her son, Samuel, grew up serving God with the High Priest, Eli. Throughout his life he was Eli’s counselor and, after Eli’s death, the last of the Judges and a prophet.
Samuel led well, turning the nation from idolatry and back to God. But the people demanded a king, like other nations. God let them have Saul, who started humbly, but became prideful and disobedient to God. God then instructed Samuel to anoint David, a mere boy, to be the king. David killed a Philistine giant, Goliath, and became popular and famous. Saul brought him into his palace to play and sing for him. He was suspicious of David. Saul became insanely jealous of David, threatened him and attacked him so that David, who refused to “lift up his hand against God’s anointed,” chose to flee. A volunteer army followed him. Saul attempted to kill David, but was himself defeated in battle. To avoid being captured by his enemies, he killed himself.
1 Samuel – A devotional thought
The people preferred Saul over Samuel as their leader. Samuel was a great man and awesome leader, but the people wanted a king. They wanted to be like the other nations. God gave them what they wanted. The man who became king was impressive in appearance, tall, strong and handsome, but his position and power caused him to ignore God’s will, and that pride caused his rejection by God in favor of a young boy whose heart was in tune with God’s will and way.
Something we all need to remember: “God does not look on the outward appearance, but on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). As He looks into your heart today, what does He see?