Day 2 – 1 Samuel 16:1
1 Samuel 1 - 15 Summary
The first chapter of 1 Samuel details the birth of Samuel to Hannah, who prayed earnestly to the Lord for a child amidst her barrenness, vowing to dedicate him to God's service.
Chapter two details Hannah's song of thanksgiving and the corruption of Eli's sons in the priesthood.
Chapter three details when the Lord began speaking to Samuel as a boy in the tabernacle, calling him to prophesy against Eli's house.
Chapter four details the Philistines' capture of the ark of God in
battle, resulting in the deaths of Eli's sons and Eli himself.
Chapter five details the afflictions upon the Philistines as the ark brought plagues in their cities.
Chapter six details the return of the ark to Israel after the Philistines devised a plan with oxen and a cart.
Chapter seven details Samuel leading Israel to repentance and victory over the Philistines at Mizpeh.
Chapter eight details Israel's demand for a king like other nations, despite Samuel's warnings from the Lord.
Chapter nine details Saul's introduction as he searches for lost donkeys and encounters Samuel.
Chapter ten details Samuel anointing Saul as king and the signs confirming his calling.
Chapter eleven details Saul's military triumph over the Ammonites, solidifying his kingship.
Chapter twelve details Samuel's farewell address, reminding Israel of God's faithfulness and urging obedience.
Chapter thirteen details Saul's impatient sacrifice without Samuel, leading to rebuke and the Philistines' gathering for war.
Chapter fourteen details Jonathan's bold attack on the Philistines, aided by God, resulting in Israel's deliverance.
Chapter fifteen details Saul's disobedience in sparing Agag and the Amalekites' spoils, leading to the Lord's rejection of him as king.
Scripture Review
The next time we find the name David is in 1 Samuel 16:13. Here he is being anointed with oil. How did we get to this point?
Read the summary posted for a quick review of 1 Samuel 1 to 15.
Today's study we begin in 1 Samuel 16:1: "And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons."
I find it interesting that God wants us to know that Samuel is mourning this decision. It made me reflect on my life in some different areas of mourning. Me not want to move past what God had already deemed finished.
Failed relationships, ouch! I won't stay on this too much but. I almost committed suicide over a failed relationship. I don't know if it is a sense of pride or a fear of having to start over that keeps people from moving on in relationships.
Career Setback, In the military, being passed over for promotion takes some time to get used to. It makes you feel worthless at times.
Changes in Church Leadership, I would be lying if I didn't say transitioning from one pastor to the next won't leave you mourning.
And of course Death, mourning the loss of a beloved one is needful, but I had to be careful and realized that every "body, soul, and spirit" belongs to the Lord. Just because I say My mother, my brother, my father doesn't mean I control their destiny. I witnessed first hand, people get mad at God for taking their loved one. God's ways are higher than our ways
The scripture reminds me, God wants me to stay focused and obedient in His will for this world.
Am I or are you still "mourning" something God has already moved past? What obedience is God calling for now?