The Back to the Bible Reading Plans
The Reign of Saul
Today's reading 1Samuel 15-16; Luke 10.25-42
King James Version with Web Encyclopedia Links: 1Samuel 15; 1Samuel 16; Luke 10
1Samuel 15
In verses 1-3 Samuel told Saul that God wanted to punish the Amakelites for what they did to Israel when they attacked the Israelites when they came from Egypt. Saul was to totally destroy everything that belonged to them. Every living thing was to be killed. Saul and his army attacked the Amakelites and destroyed all the people EXCEPT for King Agag. in verse 9, Saul spared Agag and the BEST of the sheep and cattle. They were unwilling to destroy things that were good or of benefit to them but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. God was grieved and told Samuel that He regretted having made Saul King because he did not follow out His instructions. Samuel was troubled and he cried to God all that night. Samuel was a man of prayer, he must have interceded for Saul. The next day, Saul saw Samuel and LIED and said that he had followed God's instructions. Samuel confronted Saul and said, 'What then is the bleating in my ears? What is the lowing of cattle that I hear?' Saul made up this excuse that the soldiers spared the best of the sheep and the cattle to sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel rebuked him that he, Saul was once small in his own eyes and now he is king of Israel. God gave him specific instructions to completely destroy all the wicked Amakelites. But he did not follow instructions. Saul denied that, he claimed that he followed God's instructions. Saul replied with this: 22 "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD , he has rejected you as king."
In verse 27, as Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his garment and it tore. Saul turned to him and said 28 "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors-to one better than you. 29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind."
Samuel put Agag to death. Samuel mourned for Saul and the Lord was grieved. What a tragedy for Saul. He had such a good start in the race of life but then he failed and his life ended as we see later in a downward spiral. How do you run the race of the Christian life? We have to keep on saying TRUST and OBEY!
DORE DEATH OF AGAG
In 1Samuel 16, God chose David the youngest of eight of Jesse's son. In verse 7 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 man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
In Verse 14, the Spirit of God had left Saul and was replaced with an evil spirit. Saul was tormented by God. This was done to bring David to play the harp for Saul so that evil spirit would leave.
1 Samuel 15, with Commentaries, verse by verse
1 Samuel 16, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Links to Commentaries and other References - 1Samuel
Luke 10.25-42, Commentaries, verse by verse
Luke 10.25-42
He was then tested by an expert in the law, who said to Him, ‘"Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?" 27 So he answered and said," 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"
28 And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live." 29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus told him the parable of the Good Samaritan. Please note the ones who should have come to the aid of the man who was robbed should have been the priest or the Levite. They were trained un the laws of God and should have shown mercy. Instead Jesus came up with the astonishing rescuer, a Samaritan who not only rescued the man but took him to an inn, and took care of him! Who were the Samaritans? Samaritans were ranked low in social standing and acceptance in the life of the Jews in Jesus’ day, they might as well have been a tax-collector, a prostitute.or a leper. But Jesus chose this example to teach an important object –lesson. He wanted to show the people that their neighbor could be anyone including a Samaritan. Let us be honest with ourselves and asked ourselves this question. Who is my neighbor?
Luke 10.38-42 Jesus was invited to the house of Martha and Mary. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Him while Martha was busy being hospitable.. Martha got frustrated with Mary and complain to Jesus to let Mary helped her. Jesus said that Mary had chosen what was better. We should learn to sit at Jesus’ feet by spending time in prayer, in the Word, and fellowship with Christian. These have a higher priority to the Lord than serving Him. When we do the sitting at His feet then the service will fall in place.
Vermeer: Martha and Mary
IVP Commentary on Luke 10
Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke
Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian
This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.
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