This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we move from the Pentateuch into the second section of the Old Testament, the Historical Books.
What Is 1 Samuel? The book of 1 Samuel documents the reign of Israel’s first king, Saul. It is also a history of the nation’s pattern of sin and repentance, as well as a history of the prophet Samuel’s spiritual leadership during Israel’s transition from theocracy to monarchy.
How 1 Samuel Fits Into the Story: God raised up Samuel as a final judge to rule over Israel and call His people back to the Lord, speaking on His behalf. As Samuel advanced in age, the people of Israel continued to reject the Lord and demanded a king like those of other nations. God granted their request, and His covenant faithfulness continued to prepare the way for the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
Reflection Questions:
1. What does the rebellion and rejection in today’s reading reveal about Israel’s posture toward God?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
This chapter shows Israel turning away from God even though he gave them clear warning. It can be so easy to get caught up in wanting to be like everyone else. Lord help me to follow your ways and stand strong in my faith. Your presence is always with me even though you are not here in the flesh. Thank you Lord for forgiving me u faithfulness at times.
So many times I’d ask God what I want, may it be someone else over me or someone to be fighting my battles ahead of me. But God knows what I need and, most importantly, who I need: Jesus.
I serve in the youth ministry and currently we are without a youth pastor. I’m so thankful that I serve with an amazing team of other adults and youth leaders. We pray for the search of a youth pastor, but please pray for the Holy Spirit to guide our ministry with or without a youth pastor. May the youth and us serving the youth see our need for Jesus above all other needs.
Q1: For me, can be summed up in 1Samuel 8:7 …we are continually choosing to put God in second, third, or an even lower place, yet HE is always faithful to us!! Very humbling!! I am so grateful!!!
Q2: redemption is us being FULLY restored to God. That we would desire NONE but Him!!! May it be so Lord…
Proverbs 1:20-33 stood out to me today… I also looked up the definition of the words:
Glutted: filled to excess
Apostasy: refusing to obey, follow, or even acknowledge previous beliefs
…when put in the context of these verses it makes a really bold statement!! Definitely made me stop and ask myself some things…
MAURA, Isaiah 36… this was a hard read for me…until I read Isaiah 37 along with it!! What I took away was how IMPORTANT it is to listen ONLY to what the Holy Spirit is telling you!! There are a lot of things out there that like to cause doubt and then tickle our ears, whether it be with intimidation, flattery or logical reasoning… and the moment we give in to any of those things we lose the insight, power and confidence that the Lord gives us!!
Here are the verses that stood out to me:
Isaiah 36:4-8 … the Assyrian spokesman tries to use logic and fear to manipulate. v8 reflects this “now make a deal with my master…”
Isaiah 36:11-21 …there is SO much in here!!
v13 I found it interesting that Hezekiah’s servants wanted the Assyrian spokesman to speak in Aramaic and not Hebrew…I’m thinking this was a protection thing?
v16 encourages doubt by hanging a good looking “carrot”
v18 intimidation by fear of making the wrong choice
v20 love this question!! Because we KNOW the answer!!
v21 found this verse to be AWESOME!!! They listened and kept SILENT. They didn’t respond to the fear and intimidation in front of their enemy, but instead they returned to Hezekiah openly grieved by what they heard.
There’s a LOT here!!! And I am so glad that I read 37 with it, for clarity!!
May all you wonderful ladies have a wonderfully blessed day!!! ❤️
Thank you Allie for sharing these comments. Expressed beautifully and wanting to continue reminding myself of wanting to always turn toward Jesus , my very life-giver! All I need!!
@CARLEIGH – that hit me between the eyes. We think we know what is best for us, and we pursue it. When God gives us what we don’t want, often it ends up being so good!
The Israelites were seeking out a fleshly desire to have a king who would judge them and fight their battles for them but left God out of their desire. God shows over and over again, giving chances to his people, forts with Israelites until they were left to their own devices then to future generations sending Christ down to save all of the sinners, all of us and me.
1. Scripture continues to show the pulling away and unfaithfulness of God’s people despite how much he continuously pursues them. Israel continued on in their unfaithfulness to God and their Own self righteousness, despite Gods continued faithfulness to them. However, don’t let it full you; we should strive to be imitate the faithfulness of Samuel but we probably (atleast speaking for myself) imitate the faithfulness of Israel more. My prayer is that I can be more like Samuel and less like Israel.
2. Today’s reading shapes the story of redemption because we know that despite their unfaithfulness God eventually gives them the king they think that don’t want but that they need (David). This of course comes after they get the king they think they want but does not serve them well.
How often are we filled with our own self righteousness? How often do we think we know what’s best for us more than God knows what’s best for us? For me it’s much too often. Thanks be to God who continues to fill me and continues to give me what I need and forgives me for my unfaithfulness.
Thank you all for your insightful comments. I am also loving the weekly She Reads Truth podcast that goes along with each week of study. Thank you SRT