1 Samuel | Paula Wiseman

STT: 1&2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles

I'm considering 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles together because they cover the same main subject – the life and times of David. Volumes have been written about David and I can't possibly cover him in one quick blog post. However, if you undertake this study there are a number of different ways to approach it.

Character study – David's life divides into three phases: Shepherd, Renegade and King. What kind of man is he? How does he grow and change through each phase? What is the dominant aspect of his relationship with God during each phase?

David's triumphs and failures – He had plenty of both. Note how he responds to God in each situation.

A who/what study – Who does David come in contact with? What happens? What does he take away from the encounter?

David's prayers – What prompts the prayer? What does he say about God? What does he ask for?

Consequences – None of these books shy away from portraying sin or its effects. Keep track of the sins – not only of David, but others like Eli, and Saul – and how the individual sins impact others and even the nation itself.

If you're really ambitious, follow your footnotes and read the Psalms that are cross-referenced to the events in David's life. This gives a uniquely intimate look at his relationship with God. I love being able to look at his "journal". Also the range of emotions he records is reassuring.

David's walk with God wasn't all hearts and rainbows, and by allowing us to see his failures as plainly as his great victories, we see God's mercy and grace on full display.

What's your favorite story about David?

Filed Under: Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: 1 Chronicles, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Bible study, David, Psalms

Let It Begin With Me

By Paula

If you fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God.
1 Samuel 12:14

I had to give up watching the news. Oh, I still read the headlines on the internet, and I still get email updates, but no more news broadcasts on any network for me. I found that they were contributing to a general discouragement and made me harbor some unsanctified thoughts about some of my countrymen. However, I cannot deny that our country is in deep trouble. Court rulings, legislation and political policy seem increasingly hostile to God’s authority and His standards.

As I read Scripture, the remedy won’t be found in the halls of Congress or on a picket line outside. (This is not to say that people shouldn’t avail themselves of whatever means God leads them to use to speak the truth.) The key to good God-honoring government resides in my heart and the hearts of others. If you fear the Lord, serve Him, obey Him and don’t rebel against Him – did God make Himself clear, or what? – If we as citizens commit ourselves to personal holiness, then our leadership will follow suit.

I am one person. I can vote, but how much influence do I really have on Washington D.C.? I can control my own actions, though. I can choose to fear God and honor Him. If THAT catches on, then the nation will change. If we live out genuine faith, if we become vessels of honor, sanctified, cleansed and prepared, we become part of God’s solution to the ills of our society. True healing is only found in Jesus Christ.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 1 Samuel

Redeemed… again

By Paula

It SNOWED this morning. No accumulation, but still…

We had an ‘incident’ at church yesterday morning, that sent Jon and me home fully torqued off. I was ready to rant this morning. Last night at the evening service, Jon had opportunity to speak to party involved. (It wasn’t planned at all. The other person opened the door, and my husband who has the gift of discernment, walked through it.) This person was crushed by the results and perception of his actions. They were the opposite of his intentions.

It reinforced what God said about David- “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then there’s 1 Corinthians 13:5 – “Love thinks no evil.” Love gives the benefit of the doubt, doesn’t jump to conclusions. And when you put that with John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Anyone can get ticked off, and it seems it especially easy with our brothers and sisters, but the fact is, Christ calls us to a higher standard, a much higher standard. Had I ranted yesterday, not only would I have torn down a fellow believer – even if the person never knew about it- but I would have missed the lesson that came instead. Once again, Christ redeemed my sin.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 1 Corinthians, 1 Samuel, John