1 & 2 Samuel – Page 21

1 Samuel 8:1-22 – Be Careful What You Ask For

Why is it we are never satisfied in life? We are always looking for the next “thing” to bring happiness, contentment, or success. I can remember saying things like, “when we finally get settled, I’ll feel better,” or “when we can finally afford that new car, everything will be okay.” We even hear such lament in our reading. “If only we had a king,” the people are saying.

Samuel had been acting for years as their judge, and before him we read of many other judges in the Book of Judges. Along the way, we sensed the people were wanting a king. In this reading we understand why.

1 Samuel 7:3-17 – Samuel Becomes a Judge

Read 1 Samuel 7:3-17

We know from reading through the book of Judges how God raised up leaders for a certain victory and to watch over a certain region. After all the Israelites have been through with the fiasco surrounding the Ark of the Covenant, the people were feeling abandoned by God. By using Samuel in this way, God let the people know his power was still with them.

Thankfully, the people understood the seriousness of the situation and heeded Samuel’s advice. “Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” The day the people gathered at Mizpah, for what sounds like a revival of sorts, was the day Samuel was appointed as judge.

1 Samuel 6:19-7:2 – Don’t Peek

Read 1 Samuel 6:19-7:2

Anytime we’re told “not” to do something, we want to do it all the more. Why is that exactly? Today’s story starts with more death. This time the Israelites fall because they peeked inside the Ark. Was this a situation of curiosity? Did they not know what would happen if they looked inside?

Clearly this was a violation that angered the LORD. These people didn’t live to regret their decision. But those who didn’t peek and showed reverence were surprised and angered by what their own God did. This event set a precedent for the Ark and how it should be handled in the future.

1 Samuel 6:1-18 – The Tale of Two Cows

Read 1 Samuel 6:1-18

wooden yoke that looks antique sitting on an old wooden bench

Was it really the Israelite God who sent the plagues upon the Philistines? They had to know for sure. The Philistines were afraid of the Ark and consulted with their own priests and diviners about the best way to get rid of it. But what if the plagues were simply a coincidence?

A plan was suggested involving two cows and a guilt offering. They had underestimated God’s power, and the guilt offering or payment had to be more than sufficient to calm God’s anger. This plan would assure them, once and for all, it was the Ark causing all the trouble. New mother cows would never leave their babies unless there was some divine intervention. In addition, two cows not used to being yoked together would not calmly allow such a thing to happen.

1 Samuel 5:1-12 – Plagues Not Power

Read 1 Samuel 5:1-12

The joke was on the Philistines, so to speak. They thought by capturing the Ark they would have God’s power. Instead, they are being overtaken by plagues and death. God’s power was as strong as ever, but it was not working in their favor as they had hoped.

What did you think about how God handled Dagon? I nearly laughed out loud when I read how the inanimate statue of Dagon was found face down, as if bowing to the Israelite God. This was clearly a message from God that was almost ignored the first day.