When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. -1 Samuel 19:18 God is our protection. When enemies oppose us, our natural reaction is to either fight or flee. In either case, the enemy could win. That is, unless God provides protection. In David’s case, Saul had chosen to kill him. David fled on multiple occasions. Why? God protected him. At one point, David fled... Read more

Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. -1 Samuel 18:5 True success comes from God. David began as a mere shepherd boy. His father was not royalty nor wealthy. Rather, his older sons served in war while the youngest served in the field. But God chose to use David for a special purpose. David’s success was first... Read more

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” -1 Samuel 17:32 The classic David and Goliath narrative offers myriad insights regarding faithful and bold living for God. David even chooses to do something extreme–offer to fight Goliath to the death.t Many suggest fighting is not part of living for God. But war offers a unique context in which choosing whether to fight is not an option; it... Read more

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7 The verse says it all. Humans look at the outside–physical appearance, personal persuasion, education, work experience, and more. God looks at one thing–the heart. Since this is the case, where should we focus our... Read more

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices     as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice,     and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” -1 Samuel 15:22 How do we delight the Lord? According to Samuel, the answer is obedience. There is no quick fix, single achievement that makes God happy. His desire is for our ongoing, daily commitment to him. In our instant gratification culture, this strikes as difficult if not... Read more

Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” -1 Samuel 14:6 It was a rough time in Israel. Only two men had swords. One was King Saul. The other was his son Jonathan. Jonathan decided to take action with his. Why? In his words, “Perhaps the Lord will act in... Read more

13 “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” -1 Samuel 13:13-14 Samuel called Saul’s action a “foolish thing” that resulted in... Read more

25 Then Samuel explained to the people the behavior of royalty, and wrote it in a book and laid it up before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. 26 And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and valiant men went with him, whose hearts God had touched. -1 Samuel 10:25-26 1 Samuel 10:26 speaks of “valiant men…whose hearts God had touched.” Intrigued by this idea, I’ve long reflected on what God intended to communicate... Read more