1 Samuel 13

1 Samuel 13:1  Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty-two years over Israel.

1 Samuel 13:2  He chose three thousand men from Israel for himself: two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in Bethel’s hill country, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the troops away, each to his own tent.

1 Samuel 13:3  Jonathan attacked the Philistine garrison that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!”

1 Samuel 13:4  And all Israel heard the news, “Saul has attacked the Philistine garrison, and Israel is now repulsive to the Philistines.” Then the troops were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.

1 Samuel 13:5  The Philistines also gathered to fight against Israel: three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

1 Samuel 13:6  The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns.

1 Samuel 13:7  Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, was still at Gilgal, and all his troops were gripped with fear.

1 Samuel 13:8  He waited seven days for the appointed time that Samuel had set, but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the troops were deserting him.

1 Samuel 13:9  So Saul said, “Bring me the ascending offering and the fellowship offerings.” Then he offered the ascending offering.

1 Samuel 13:10  Just as he finished offering the ascending offering, notice Samuel arrived. So Saul went out to greet him,

1 Samuel 13:11  and Samuel asked, “What have you done?” Saul answered, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me and you didn’t come within the appointed days and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash,

1 Samuel 13:12  I thought, ‘The Philistines will now descend on me at Gilgal, and I haven’t sought Yahveh’s favor.’ So I forced myself to offer the ascending offering.”

1 Samuel 13:13  Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish. You have not kept the command Yahveh your God gave you. It was at this time that Yahveh would have permanently established your reign over Israel,

1 Samuel 13:14  but now your reign will not endure. Yahveh has found a man after his own heart, and Yahveh has appointed him as ruler over his people, because you have not done what Yahveh commanded.”

1 Samuel 13:15  Then Samuel went from Gilgal to Gibeah in Benjamin. Saul registered the troops who were with him, about six hundred men.

1 Samuel 13:16  Saul, his son Jonathan, and the troops who were with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin, and the Philistines were camped at Michmash.

1 Samuel 13:17  Raiding parties went out from the Philistine camp in three divisions. One division headed toward the Ophrah road leading to the land of Shual.

1 Samuel 13:18  The next division headed toward the Beth-horon road, and the last division headed down the border road that looks out over the Zeboim Valley toward the wilderness.

1 Samuel 13:19  No blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise, the Hebrews will make swords or spears.”

1 Samuel 13:20  So all the Israelites went to the Philistines to sharpen their plows, mattocks, axes, and sickles.

1 Samuel 13:21  The price was two-thirds of a shekel for plows and mattocks, and one-third of a shekel for pitchforks and axes, and for putting a point on a cattle prod.

1 Samuel 13:22  So on the day of battle not a sword or spear could be found in the hand of any of the troops who were with Saul and Jonathan; only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons.

1 Samuel 13:23  Now a Philistine garrison took control of the pass at Michmash.

links:

he would have
hiding at Gilgal
Is Death a Better Place ?
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Thursday, September 12, 2019
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Tuesday, September 14, 2021
test completed — test failed
waiting for Jesus

The 1 SAMUEL shelf in Jeff’s library

1 Samuel 12

1 Samuel 12:1  Then Samuel said to all Israel, “Notice, I have carefully listened to everything you said to me and placed a king over you.

1 Samuel 12:2  Now notice that the king is leading you. As for me, notice I’m old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have led you from my youth until now.

1 Samuel 12:3  Notice me. Bring charges against me before Yahveh and his anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I wronged or mistreated? From whom have I accepted a bribe to overlook something? I will return it to you.”

1 Samuel 12:4  “You haven’t wronged us, you haven’t mistreated us, and you haven’t taken anything from anyone,” they responded.

1 Samuel 12:5  He said to them, “Yahveh is a witness against you, and his anointed is a witness today that you haven’t found anything in my hand.” “He is a witness,” they said.

1 Samuel 12:6  Then Samuel said to the people, “Yahveh, who appointed Moses and Aaron and who brought your ancestors up from the land of Egypt, is a witness.

1 Samuel 12:7  Now present yourselves, so I may confront you before Yahveh about all the righteous acts he has done for you and your ancestors.

1 Samuel 12:8  “When Jacob went to Egypt, your ancestors cried out to Yahveh, and he sent them Moses and Aaron, who led your ancestors out of Egypt and settled them in this place.

1 Samuel 12:9  But they forgot Yahveh their God, so he handed them over to Sisera commander of the army of Hazor, to the Philistines, and to the king of Moab. These enemies fought against them.

1 Samuel 12:10  Then they cried out to Yahveh and said, ‘We have sinned, for we abandoned Yahveh and worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths. Now rescue us from the power of our enemies, and we will serve you.’

1 Samuel 12:11  So Yahveh sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel. He rescued you from the power of the enemies around you, and you lived securely.

1 Samuel 12:12  But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was coming against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king reign over us’– even though Yahveh your God is your king.

1 Samuel 12:13  “Now notice the king you’ve chosen, the one you requested. Notice, this is the king Yahveh has placed over you.

1 Samuel 12:14  If you fear Yahveh, worship and obey him, and if you don’t rebel against Yahveh’s command, then both you and the king who reigns over you will follow Yahveh your God.

1 Samuel 12:15  However, if you disobey Yahveh and rebel against his command, Yahveh’s hand will be against you as it was against your ancestors.

1 Samuel 12:16  “Now, therefore, present yourselves and see this great thing that Yahveh will do before your eyes.

1 Samuel 12:17  Isn’t the wheat harvest today? I will call on Yahveh, and he will send thunder and rain so that you will recognize what an immense evil you committed in Yahveh’s sight by requesting a king for yourselves.”

1 Samuel 12:18  Samuel called on Yahveh, and on that day Yahveh sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared Yahveh and Samuel.

1 Samuel 12:19  They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to Yahveh your God for your slaves so we won’t die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of requesting a king for ourselves.”

1 Samuel 12:20  Samuel replied, “Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following Yahveh. Instead, worship Yahveh with all your heart.

1 Samuel 12:21  Don’t turn away to follow worthless things that can’t profit or rescue you; they are worthless.

1 Samuel 12:22  Yahveh will not abandon his people, because of his great name and because he has determined to make you his own people.

1 Samuel 12:23  “As for me, I vow that I will not sin against Yahveh by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way.

1 Samuel 12:24  Above all, fear Yahveh and worship him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things he has done for you.

1 Samuel 12:25  However, if you continue to do what is evil, both you and your king will be swept away.”

links:

into his hands
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Monday, September 13, 2021
Samuel’s bargain
the right sign

The 1 SAMUEL shelf in Jeff’s library

1 Samuel 11

1 Samuel 11:1  Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”

1 Samuel 11:2  Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I’ll make one with you on this condition: that I gouge out everyone’s right eye and humiliate all Israel.”

1 Samuel 11:3  “Don’t do anything to us for seven days,” the elders of Jabesh said to him, “and let us send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. If no one saves us, we will surrender to you.”

1 Samuel 11:4  When the messengers came to Gibeah, Saul’s hometown, and told the terms to the people, all wept aloud.

1 Samuel 11:5  Just then, notice Saul was coming in from the field behind his oxen. “What’s the matter with the people? Why are they weeping?” Saul inquired, and they repeated to him the words of the men from Jabesh.

1 Samuel 11:6  When Saul heard these words, the Breath of God suddenly came powerfully on him, and his anger burned furiously.

1 Samuel 11:7  He took a team of oxen, cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout the territory of Israel by messengers who said, “This is what will be done to the ox of anyone who doesn’t march behind Saul and Samuel.” As a result, the terror of Yahveh fell on the people, and they went out united.

1 Samuel 11:8  Saul counted them at Bezek. There were three hundred thousand Israelites and thirty thousand men from Judah.

1 Samuel 11:9  He told the messengers who had come, “Tell this to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Deliverance will be yours tomorrow by the time the sun is hot.'” So the messengers told the men of Jabesh, and they rejoiced.

1 Samuel 11:10  Then the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Tomorrow we will come out, and you can do whatever you want to us.”

1 Samuel 11:11  The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions. During the morning watch, they invaded the Ammonite camp and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. There were survivors, but they were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

1 Samuel 11:12  Afterward, the people said to Samuel, “Who said that Saul should not reign over us? Give us those men so we can kill them!”

1 Samuel 11:13  But Saul ordered, “No one will be executed this day, for today Yahveh has provided deliverance in Israel.”

1 Samuel 11:14  Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let’s go to Gilgal, so we can renew the kingship there.”

1 Samuel 11:15  So all the people went to Gilgal, and there in Yahveh’s presence they made Saul king. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings in Yahveh’s presence, and Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

links:

debugging Luke 23-43
his sovereignty prevails
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Wednesday, September 11, 2019
the right man
the terror of Yahveh
where did all the spirits go?

The 1 SAMUEL shelf in Jeff’s library

1 Samuel 10

1 Samuel 10:1  Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it out on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Hasn’t Yahveh anointed you ruler over his inheritance?

1 Samuel 10:2  Today when you leave me, you’ll find two men at Rachel’s Grave at Zelzah in the territory of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you went looking for have been found, and notice your father has stopped being concerned about the donkeys and is worried about you, asking: What should I do about my son? ‘

1 Samuel 10:3  “You will proceed from there until you come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one bringing three goats, one bringing three loaves of bread, and one bringing a clay jar of wine.

1 Samuel 10:4  They will ask how you are and give you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them.

1 Samuel 10:5  “After that you will come to Gibeah of God where there are Philistine garrisons. When you arrive at the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place prophesying. They will be preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres.

1 Samuel 10:6  The Breath of Yahveh will come powerfully on you, you will prophesy with them, and you will be transformed.

1 Samuel 10:7  When these signs have happened to you, do whatever your circumstances require because God is with you.

1 Samuel 10:8  Afterward, go ahead of me to Gilgal. I will come to you to offer ascending offerings and to sacrifice fellowship offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what to do.”

1 Samuel 10:9  When Saul turned around to leave Samuel, God changed his heart, and all the signs came about that day.

1 Samuel 10:10  When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, notice a group of prophets met him. Then the Breath of God came powerfully on him, and he prophesied along with them.

1 Samuel 10:11  Everyone who knew him previously and saw him noticed him prophesy with the prophets and asked each other, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”

1 Samuel 10:12  Then a man who was from there asked, “And who is their father?” As a result, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” became a popular saying.

1 Samuel 10:13  Then Saul finished prophesying and went to the high place.

1 Samuel 10:14  Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where did you go?” “To look for the donkeys,” Saul answered. “When we saw they weren’t there, we went to Samuel.”

1 Samuel 10:15  “Tell me,” Saul’s uncle asked, “what did Samuel say to you?”

1 Samuel 10:16  Saul told him, “He assured us the donkeys had been found.” However, Saul did not tell him what Samuel had said about the matter of kingship.

1 Samuel 10:17  Samuel summoned the people to Yahveh at Mizpah

1 Samuel 10:18  and said to the Israelites, “This is what Yahveh, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the power of the Egyptians and all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’

1 Samuel 10:19  But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions. You said to him, ‘You must set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before Yahveh by your tribes and clans.”

1 Samuel 10:20  Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected.

1 Samuel 10:21  Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the Matrite clan was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they searched for him, they could not find him.

1 Samuel 10:22  They again inquired of Yahveh, “Has the man come here yet?” Yahveh replied, “Notice him, hidden among the supplies.”

1 Samuel 10:23  They ran and got him from there. When he stood among the people, he stood a head taller than anyone else.

1 Samuel 10:24  Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one Yahveh has chosen? There is no one like him among the entire population.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

1 Samuel 10:25  Samuel proclaimed to the people the rights of kingship. He wrote them on a scroll, which he placed in the presence of Yahveh. Then Samuel sent all the people home.

1 Samuel 10:26  Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, and brave men whose hearts God had touched went with him.

1 Samuel 10:27  But some wicked men said, “How can this guy save us?” They despised him and did not bring him a gift, but Saul said nothing.

links:

adventures in failure
ignoring criticism
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Tuesday, September 10, 2019
the next step
the right man
what we don’t say
where did all the spirits go?

The 1 SAMUEL shelf in Jeff’s library

1 Samuel 9

1 Samuel 9:1  There was a of Benjamin named Kish, son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, son of a Benjaminite.

1 Samuel 9:2  He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man. No one was more impressive among the Israelites than he. He stood a head taller than anyone else.

1 Samuel 9:3  One day, the donkeys of Saul’s father, Kish, wandered off. Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the boys with you and go look for the donkeys.”

1 Samuel 9:4  Saul and his servant went through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but they didn’t find them. They went through the land of Shaalim—nothing. Then they went through the Benjaminite region but still didn’t find them.

1 Samuel 9:5  When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to the boy who was with him, “Come on, let’s go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”

1 Samuel 9:6  “Notice,” the servant said, “there’s a man of God in this city who is highly respected; everything he says is sure to come true. Let’s go there now. Maybe he’ll tell us which way we should go.”

1 Samuel 9:7  “Notice, if we do go,” Saul said to his boy, “what do we take the man? The food from our packs is gone, and there’s no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”

1 Samuel 9:8  The boy answered Saul: “Notice, I have a little silver. I’ll give it to the man of God, and he will tell us which way we should go.”

1 Samuel 9:9  Formerly in Israel, a man who was going to inquire of God would say, “Come, let’s go to the seer,” for the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.

1 Samuel 9:10  “Good,” Saul replied to his boy. “Come on, let’s go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.

1 Samuel 9:11  As they were climbing the hill to the city, they found some young women coming out to draw water and asked, “Is the seer here?”

1 Samuel 9:12  The women answered, “Yes, notice he is ahead of you. Hurry, he just now entered the city because there’s a sacrifice for the people at the high place today.

1 Samuel 9:13  As soon as you enter the city, you will find him before he goes to the high place to eat. The people won’t eat until he comes because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests can eat. Go up immediately– you can find him now.”

1 Samuel 9:14  So they went up toward the city. Saul and his servant were entering the town when they noticed Samuel coming toward them on his way to the high place.

1 Samuel 9:15  Now, the day before Saul’s arrival, Yahveh had informed Samuel,

1 Samuel 9:16  “At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people, Israel. He will save them from the Philistines because I have seen the affliction of my people, for their cry has come to me.”

1 Samuel 9:17  When Samuel saw Saul, Yahveh told him, “Notice the man I told you about; he will govern my people.”

1 Samuel 9:18  Saul approached Samuel at the city gate and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”

1 Samuel 9:19  “I am the seer,” Samuel answered. “Go up ahead of me to the high place and eat with me today. When I send you off in the morning, I’ll tell you everything that’s in your heart.

1 Samuel 9:20  As for the donkeys that wandered away from you three days ago, don’t worry about them because they’ve been found. And who does all Israel desire but you and all your father’s family?”

1 Samuel 9:21  Saul responded, “Am I not a Benjaminite from the smallest of Israel’s tribes, and isn’t my clan the least important of all the clans of the Benjaminite tribe? So why have you said something like this to me?”

1 Samuel 9:22  Samuel took Saul and his boy brought them to the banquet hall, and gave them a place at the head of the thirty or so men who had been invited.

1 Samuel 9:23  Then Samuel said to the cook, “Get the portion of meat that I gave you and told you to set aside.”

1 Samuel 9:24  The cook picked up the thigh and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, “Notice that the reserved piece is set before you. Eat it because it was saved for you for this solemn event at the time I said, ‘I’ve invited the people.'” So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

1 Samuel 9:25  Afterward, they went down from the high place to the city, and Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof.

1 Samuel 9:26  They got up early, and just before dawn, Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get up, and I’ll send you on your way!” Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went outside.

1 Samuel 9:27  As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the boy to go on ahead of us, but you stay for a while, and I’ll reveal the word of God to you.” So the boy went on.

links:

adventures in failure
looking for donkeys

The 1 SAMUEL shelf in Jeff’s library