The day of the battle between Israel and the Philistines arrives in 1 Samuel 31. How did Saul behave the morning of the battle. After Saul had the spirit of Samuel called from beyond the grave he knew that this was the day that he and his sons would die. How would you behave if you awoke in the morning and knew that your life would come to an end by the end of the day? I suppose that I wouldn’t have slept at all during the night. Were these the feelings of Saul? In 1 Samuel 31:1 it states that the men of Israel fled from the Philistines. Did the fear come from the lack of leadership from Saul because he knew it was the end? Continue Reading…
Tag Archive - Philistines
Saul remembered in death by Jabesh-Gilead: 1 Samuel 31
In complete despair David finds strength in God: 1 Samuel 29 and 30
The fact that God had blessed David while he dwelt with the Philistines becomes apparent when he and his men follow Achish with the Philistine army. When the lords of the Philistines noticed David and his men traveling with Achish they instantly did not trust them. Did God soften Achish’s heart to give favor to David, his men, and their families allowing them to dwell in Ziklag for over a year? The lords of the Philistines gave orders to Achish to send David and his men back to their homes. The renown of David was known to the lords of the Philistines and they didn’t want such a skilled man with them who may turn against them to fight for Israel in the thick of battle. Continue Reading…
At the end of your life who is your advocate: 1 Samuel 27 and 28
Is it true that the enemy of your enemy is a friend? When David seeks out refuge and shelter from Saul in the land of the Philistines why did Achish, the king of Gath, trust David? In 1 Samuel chapter 27 and 28 David, his men, and all their families take refuge in the land of the Philistines. David was the one who killed Goliath the champion of the Philistines so why are they now are willing to let him dwell in their land? Why do the Philistines allow David safe harbor? What was the catlyst of this unusual alliance of enemies? Continue Reading…
David fights Goliath as a jealous Saul looks on in 1 Samuel 17 and 18
Is it easy to become too familiar with stories in the Bible causing us to not reread them to discover the truths they hold. In 1 Samuel 17 the story of David fighting Goliath is retold but it was easy for me to want to read the story with less attention to detail because I know the story? The story of God using a small shepherd by to kill the champion of the Philistines exemplifies God using strength found in weakness to bring down the powerful but what else is conveyed in the story of David and Goliath? What were the thoughts and feelings of the men in the army of Israel as they were facing Goliath? What changes are evident in Saul’s leadership of the people? Did Saul’s lack of dependance upon God transfer into the men he led causing them to become fearful? Continue Reading…
Jesus Christ is the only hope for today and forever: 1 Samuel 7 and 8
“If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 7:3 NASB Look at the language that Samuel uses to speak to the Israelites. Is the deliverance from God something conditional that needs the positive response of the Israelites before it will come to pass? Continue Reading…
Lack of regard for God leads to the demise of many: 1 Samuel 5 and 6
When the Israelites brought the Ark into battle with the Philistines they were expecting to have victory just as in the stories of Joshua but instead they were met with defeat at the hands of the Philistines resulting in the Ark of the Lord being captured. The Israelites replaced their devotion to God with idolatry where they valued the things around them, such as the Ark, in greater standing than God. In 1 Samuel chapters 5 and 6 we are given the details of what happened to the Ark during the 7 months that it was in the possessions of the Philistines and how it was brought back to the Israelites. Continue Reading…
Ichabod – The glory has departed from Israel: 1 Samuel 3 and 4
I have found it important while reading 1 Samuel to remember the overall picture that this book fits into. The book of 1 Samuel is tied to both the books of Judges and Ruth because they are telling the story of the time when God raises up judges over the people of Israel. The people of Israel are doing what they find to be best in their own eyes instead of seeking after God. Upon this scene the young boy Samuel is born and dedicated to God by his mother Hannah. Continue Reading…
