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Daily Bible Reading
Our journey through the Old Testament continues as we delve into the period of the United Kingdom. Israel’s history is a rollercoaster of emotions, with each chapter taking us from the heights of faithfulness and God’s blessings to the lows of wickedness and judgment. The reign of Saul serves as a microcosm of this cyclical pattern.
One of the primary purposes of daily Bible reading is not just to familiarize ourselves with the entire narrative but also to take time for reflection on the decisions made by others in the text. While it is important to read the events in their historical context, we must also apply their lessons to our own lives. It’s easy to dismiss Saul’s cowardice and ridicule him, but we must also examine him with introspection, as it is tempting to fall into similar patterns.
- Day Ninety Six - 1 Samuel 9-10
- “…but when they searched for him, he was nowhere to be found…” - Saul, the one clearly chosen from among Israel, was nowhere to be found when the lots were cast. It wasn’t because he was strategizing with his men and preparing for battle, but rather, he was discovered hiding among the luggage. His fear was evident, and this was recorded for all Israel to recognize that their chosen king was afraid of the task ahead. Saul possessed many qualities that would have made him the ideal king, but the Israelites overlooked many other qualities that should have been recognized earlier. Instead of mourning their rejection of God as their Deliverer, they celebrated the anointing of Saul as king.
- Day Ninety Seven - 1 Samuel 11-13; Psalm 38
- “Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart…” - The will of God has never been too difficult to comprehend and grasp. God’s ultimate desire is the heart of man. He yearns to share in a relationship of blessings and honor. Throughout their history, Israel repeatedly forgot this profound truth, which is why the call to “fear the Lord and serve Him” is frequently found throughout the Old Testament. This divine command has a profound impact on our own lives, as we serve the same God whose desire has remained unchanged since Samuel’s decree. Our God desires our hearts!
“…So, I forced myself to do it and offered the burnt offerings.” - The final thought from today’s reading comes from the disastrous incident of Saul’s disobedience at Gilgal. Samuel had given Saul specific instructions to wait for him for seven days, but Saul’s impatience led him to undertake the task of offering the burnt offerings. Although Saul may have been anointed as king of Israel, he was not anointed as a priest in Israel. This act of offering the burnt offerings was a failure on Saul’s part to adhere to the established hierarchy of Israel. This was a significant red flag in the early stages of Saul’s reign, and unfortunately, it was only the beginning of his ultimate downfall.
- “Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart…” - The will of God has never been too difficult to comprehend and grasp. God’s ultimate desire is the heart of man. He yearns to share in a relationship of blessings and honor. Throughout their history, Israel repeatedly forgot this profound truth, which is why the call to “fear the Lord and serve Him” is frequently found throughout the Old Testament. This divine command has a profound impact on our own lives, as we serve the same God whose desire has remained unchanged since Samuel’s decree. Our God desires our hearts!
- Day Ninety Eight - 1 Samuel 14; Psalm 124
- “Come, let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised…” Jonathan’s courage in attacking the Philistine garrison contrasts sharply with his father’s inability to influence the battle’s outcome. Saul’s sole motivation is based on human perception, which is another weakness in his command. Saul was a king who truly led from behind the front lines, and this failure to be a godly leader will continue to haunt him throughout his tenure.
- Day Ninety Nine - 1 Samuel 15-16; 1 Chronicles 1; Psalm 39
- “But Saul and the people spared…” - The Lord’s command was simple, “utterly destroy.” This was not a confusing or ambiguous command. Saul’s inability to obey the Lord’s commands persisted. He failed to utterly destroy the Amalekites, and as a result, he lost his kingdom. Saul attempted to rectify his situation by feigning obedience, but his true concern was his appearance before the men rather than God. This was the downfall of Saul and his reign—could the same be said of us? In the destruction of the Amalekites, we cannot overlook the command given by Samuel to the Israelites: “Go and utterly destroy the sinners…” These types of commands are challenging to comprehend from our modern perspective on life. God’s call to Israel was not driven by personal vengeance, but rather by divine justice and judgment. We must find solace in these passages of scripture in the holiness and justice of God!
“…for I have chosen a king for Myself…but the Lord looks at the heart…” - Samuel, deeply saddened by the failures of Saul, is told by God that the time has come for the second king of Israel to be anointed. Samuel is entrusted with a daunting task of anointing another king while Saul remains on the throne in Israel. Samuel places his trust in the Lord and journeys to Bethlehem, seeking the house of Jesse. Unlike the previous selection, Israel’s next king would not be chosen based on physical appearance, but rather on one’s devotion to the Lord. Initially, David, the youngest son of Jesse, was not brought before Samuel because he was tending the flocks. When David was brought before Samuel, the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” From that day forward, the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David. When Saul was tormented by an evil spirit, David was chosen to play music before the king. This relationship between Saul and David began in a vastly different manner than it will conclude, yet it serves as the backdrop for the remainder of Saul’s reign.
- “But Saul and the people spared…” - The Lord’s command was simple, “utterly destroy.” This was not a confusing or ambiguous command. Saul’s inability to obey the Lord’s commands persisted. He failed to utterly destroy the Amalekites, and as a result, he lost his kingdom. Saul attempted to rectify his situation by feigning obedience, but his true concern was his appearance before the men rather than God. This was the downfall of Saul and his reign—could the same be said of us? In the destruction of the Amalekites, we cannot overlook the command given by Samuel to the Israelites: “Go and utterly destroy the sinners…” These types of commands are challenging to comprehend from our modern perspective on life. God’s call to Israel was not driven by personal vengeance, but rather by divine justice and judgment. We must find solace in these passages of scripture in the holiness and justice of God!
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