Old Testament / 1 Samuel

  • Acting Without God

    1 Samuel 13:9-15

    No situation excuses disobedience. Even in stressful or dangerous times, God expects us to follow His commands. Our actions must always be compelled by the Word of God, not by circumstances. Take time today to pray for believers who face ...Read More

  • A False Repentance

    1 Samuel 15:24-29

    What a pathetic figure Saul presents—his heart is far from God, but he is more concerned with saving face before his people. The condition of our souls must always be our highest personal concern, and true grief over sin ...Read More

  • A Helpless People

    1 Samuel 13:16-23

    It seems that the Israelites were trusting in Saul and that Saul was trusting in himself, but no one was trusting God. The result was predictably negative. Likewise, trusting anything other than God will have negative consequences for us. Examine ...Read More

  • Bow to the King

    1 Samuel 8

    Man might think he can replace God as master, but the Lord reigns whether or not we ever acknowledge His sovereignty. Furthermore, while sinners may assume they can reject God with impunity, Yahweh will not forever tolerate those who defy ...Read More

  • David and Ahimelech

    1 Samuel 21:1–9

    The letter of the Law is not unimportant, but it can never be followed at the expense of the spirit of the Law. This can be difficult and is fraught with peril, for it can be easy to claim to ...Read More

  • David and Goliath

    1 Samuel 17

    In this world of causes great and small, it can be tempting to jump on every bandwagon that comes along. We are not, however, called to megalomania, nor are we called to be equally zealous for all campaigns that present ...Read More

  • David Hood

    1 Samuel 22

    When stress comes in major doses, it is not unusual for us to forget truths that may be quite precious to us—truths such as God’s unfailing love for us, His goodness, and His unvarying purpose to sanctify us ...Read More

  • David Hood

    1 Samuel 22

    Christian theologians have always recognized that sins of omission, the failure to do what we know is right, incur the judgment of God (James 4:17). Our negligence and failure to think things through can cause many problems for other ...Read More

  • David’s Anointing

    1 Samuel 16

    Dr. Sproul notes that we commonly find it easy to serve God when there is no real risk. It is harder when there is a real chance trouble will come for obeying Him. Like Samuel, however, we should be willing ...Read More

  • David’s Emergence

    1 Samuel 17

    The faith that David exercised in his battle with Goliath was a gift from God. The faith by which we trust Him for salvation is also given by God. We do not naturally want to believe in God or trust ...Read More

  • David’s Great Friendship

    1 Samuel 20

    As the people of God, we must be especially careful never to show loyalty to the wrong people and we must be worthy of the trust of our friends and family. This can be easier said than done at times ...Read More

  • David’s Restraint

    1 Samuel 25

    When times are difficult, the temptation can be strong to rely on our own wisdom. That may lead us to take actions contrary to God’s revealed will. The faithful Christian will not “cut corners” but will do things God ...Read More

  • Exposing the Sin

    1 Samuel 14:36–46

    The Bible clearly calls believers to honor and submit to their leaders. But there may be times when those leaders are prepared to take such ungodly measures that they must be opposed. We need great wisdom to discern when such ...Read More

  • God Chooses Israel’s King

    1 Samuel 16:1–13

    Men and women after God’s own heart are sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit and strive not to quench Him as He convicts us of sin and guides us in righteousness. One of the best ways to ...Read More

  • Knowing Each Other

    1 Samuel 1:19b–20

    When we do not share our deepest longings with our spouses or, as we are able, serve our spouses by meeting their needs, we make it tempting to meet these needs outside of marriage. We must be willing to be ...Read More