The last chapter ended with some people doubting Saul’s ability to lead Israel. It left readers wondering if Saul was capable of being a good king. v1-5 Israel experiences it first national crisis under the kingship of Saul. Nahash the Ammonite had besieged the city of Jabesh-Gilead. His intention was not only to capture the…

Anointing. v1 Samuel pours the flask of oil over Saul as a sign of the Holy Spirit coming upon him. The oil points to the Holy Spirit who consecrates individuals for God’s work (Exodus 30:22-31, Leviticus 8:12). Jesus told His disciples to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8). The…

Saul, the Benjaminite. The first 8 chapters of 1 Samuel focused on the life of Samuel. Chapter 8 ends with the Israelites demanding a king. 1 Samuel 9 begins in the same way as 1 Samuel 1 and introduces readers to Saul; a man from the tribe of Benjamin. The name Saul (שָׁאוּל֙) means “asked”,…

v1-5 We have a tendency to put our faith in people instead of God. But how many times have we put our hope in leaders only to be disappointed. Sadly, Samuel’s sons were corrupt even though their father was faithful to God. The people were disappointed and saw how other nations were led by kings.…

Samuel: Israel’s faithful judge. Even though the ark had returned to Israel, God’s presence had not. The people’s hearts were still far from God. After 20 years of silence, God sent Samuel to deliver His people. Many judges who led Israel were military deliverers but their lives did not end well. Samuel was Israel’s last…