1 Samuel 20-24 God's anointed

Ch 20

David's purpose in seeking Jonathan was friendship.  Out of the friendship, numerous benefits arose, but David wasn't in it for the benefits.  Jonathan's only request was that David likewise showed "unfailing kindness" to David.  That should be the hallmark of our friendships.

True, loyal love is love that is 'unfailing' - it is not dependent on circumstances - time, place, attitudes or actions.  

When human need & ceremonial obligations clash, we must remember who God is, but also remember His character in the midst of this.  We need to remember He is Lord over all, including over the law.

Ch 21

I don't see that David was living without God's guidance, although this may be the case.  Either way, we need to ensure that every step we take is taken with God at the helm & free from the fear of men.

"All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered round him, and he became their leader.  About four hundred men were with him."

Christian leadership isn't just about leading the good and the brave, but leading the motley crew who follow.

As Christians, we are called to be zealous without being jealous.  Keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus is the sure way to achieve this.

Ch 23-24

God's hand was on David - Saul could not get to him no matter how much he tried.  The Lord is Sovereignly in control of all things.

David had a sense of God's anointed & would do nothing that would interfere with that.  There is a question of whether I am willing to let God be God and me not!

Real repentance involves a changed heart and life.  Am I willing to be completely transformed?

1 Samuel 16-19:24 The Lord was with him.

Samuel is there to do God's business and not his own.  Several times, he thinks he knows best, but each time, he submits to God's ways.

God teaches Samuel powerfully that He looks at the heart, not at the outward appearances.  Jesus emphasised this in His teaching - helping us see that outward appearances are not everything.

David allowed his outward appearances to speak well of him, but they were not the reason God had chosen him...rather it was that God was with him that was key.

David recognised that the Lord was with him and the disgrace was against God.  As a result, he responded accordingly.  David remembered how God had been with him when he faced lions and bears, and knew that God would be with him again.

We must remember God's presence and prove it in our every day lives.

Saul's reasoning was right humanly speaking, but in terms of God's economy, it was flawed.  He lacked a recognition of who God was and what He would/could do.

Fear and jealousy were cancerous to Saul.  He should have been thrilled at all David was doing, but rather allowed bitterness to overcome him and overrule his actions.  Jonathan & Michal (& Samuel) showed true acts of friendship in the way they responded to David.  They loved him and went out of their way to protect him, even at personal cost.

1 Samuel 13-15 'God of the panic'

The Israelites should have known and learned that they MUST follow the Lord's ways and commands to see victory against the odds.

God took Saul through a testing process to see if his heart would remain true.  It didn't and so the consequences were significant.

Jonathan was courageous because he saw the Lord and wanted to please Him above all else.

Saul was impatient - he wasn't prepared to wait on the Lord.  His self-will still wanted to please the Lord, but wasn't always willing to do it in God's ways.

Saul wasn't prepared to wait on God, which in turn led to partial obedience - partial obedience is tantamount to disobedience.  God demands full obedience to Him from us - no excuses.  We must not pretend we are doing otherwise.

God requires full obedience.

1 Samuel 9:1-12 God's grace in new leadership

9:1-14  God is Sovereignly in control.  He orders our moves and knows each one - He brings about His purposes in His perfect timing.

God is in control through the servant's interaction, the arrival of Samuel at the right moment, and circumstances working out just right.

God is a patient, forebearing God.  He chooses to extend His grace despite it not being His way.  Saul's success comes about because the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him.

Saul exhibits:

Humility
God's working in Him
Discretion
Fear
Circumspect behaviour

Samuel reminds them of what God has done for them and also His grace to them.

The people are reminded that prayer is essential.  Without it, they will fail.  They must keep to their promises and obey God.

1 Samuel 4:1-8:22 God's glory at stake

The right answer to the why of 4:3 is that they had turned from God to sin & were not living to please Him.

The Israelites saw the Ark as a 'good luck charm', rather than a sign of God's glory.  They were more bothered about it than God's glory being at stake.

We need to rightly fear the Lord God, but trust in Him in faith.  When the Ark was taken, it led to judgment on the people.  God is not to be taken lightly.

Samuel reminds the Israelites of the perspective that God is the One who has gone with them, and they should not and need not be afraid of man.

God is a God of grace.  He shows that He is gracious to the Israelites despite their misguided motives.  

1 Samuel 2:1-4:1a Leading for God's glory

Hannah's tone has changed from dejection to exaltation.  God is her joy & God alone.  She finds no other joy but in Him.

She recognises God's Sovereignty and how it is He who brings death or life.  Those who oppose God will in due course be shattered.

Eli's sons had no regard for the Lord - it is a reminder that if we have no time for God, we will suffer His consequences.  God's ways are the highest and purest.  We must seek to follow Him in them.

Prov 29:17 reminds us we need to discipline our children so that they continue to follow in the ways of God.

Samuel learned obedience to God, even though he didn't understand everything that was going on.  He had to trust.

Israel lacked leadership and needed Samuel to take up the mantle.

Ruth & 1 Samuel 1 God's involvement in the lives of the ordinary

1 Samuel 1

v1-16  Hannah's Distress:

Closed (womb)
Provoked
Irritated
Weeping
Not eating
Downhearted
Bitterness of soul
Misery
Forgotten
Deeply troubled
Great anguish & grief

Hannah does not retaliate against her rival, but rather turns to prayer.

Hannah clearly believed in God and that He would hear and answer her prayer (v18b)

When you make a vow to God, keep it.  Don't fail to keep your promises to Him.  He has never failed with you.

Ruth 1-4

Ruth's decision to follow Naomi was significant and costly.  Ruth's attitude was sacrificial whatever the cost.  It was willing to do whatever came along to be loyal to Naomi and her God.

Chance happenings are God's involvements.  He is active throughout and very present in times of trouble and goodness.

God's loving kindness to those who love Him is amazing and wonderful.  He never fails.

When our decisions affect others, we should be careful and considerate.  Do as God would do to others.