Biblical Studies / Bible Figures

  • When the Mighty Fall

    2 Samuel 1

    God declares in Scripture that He takes no joy in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 33:11), and neither should we. Like David in his mourning for Saul, we must see the deaths of unbelievers for what they are ...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

  • 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

  • The Price of Fame

    1 Samuel 18:6-16

    God could have left David in obscurity on his father’s farm until it was time for him to be crowned. But he used him to defeat Goliath and brought him to the palace to refine him through struggle and ...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 the Great

    2 Samuel 5:1-10

    Who are your heroes? What characteristics make them great in your eyes? Are these characteristics of true greatness? Pray today that God will raise up men and women who are truly great in their reliance upon and submission to Him ...Read More

  • The Heart of the Man

    1 Samuel 16:1-13

    God delights in accomplishing His will in ways that astonish human beings. How like Him to select a shepherd boy, the last of eight brothers, as His king. David was a nobody, but he did great things because God was ...Read More

  • The Abandoned King

    1 Samuel 15:30-35

    Samuel mourned for Saul but withdrew from him. Jesus lamented for Jerusalem but left it (Matt. 23:37–39). Likewise, there may be times when, as a last resort, it is best to disassociate from people over whose hardness of ...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

  • The Good and the Better

    1 Samuel 15:17-23

    “It is much easier to bring a bullock or lamb to be burnt upon the altar than to bring every high thought into obedience to God,” Henry writes. Take care lest the good but more-ritualistic aspects of the Christian life ...Read More

  • The Grief of God

    1 Samuel 15:10-16

    Many today believe, as Saul seems to have thought, that what one does is not as important as the sincerity behind the action. But God wants us to have right motives and right actions. True good deeds are motivated by ...Read More

  • Saul’s Successes

    1 Samuel 14:47–52

    God does not judge success in the same way as the world. Those He deems faithful may attract no notice at all from other people. Our goal, therefore, ought to be His approval, not man’s. Do you long to ...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

  • The Sin of the Famished

    1 Samuel 14:31-35

    No man can see all the repercussions that will ripple outward from a decision. Only God can see the end from the beginning. But leaders ought to give thought to the possible consequences of their actions. Pray that God will ...Read More

  • Saul “Troubles the Land”

    1 Samuel 14:24-30

    Saul was something of a Pharisee—he required more from his men than God did. We, of course, are prone to the same sort of behavior, dreaming up guidelines for ourselves and others that God never lays upon us. Beware ...Read More