In a time of transition from Theocracy to Monarchy, the books of Samuel might well be called ‘Men Behaving Badly.’ While there are occasional bright spots, time and again we see the failures of leadership and compromised faithfulness, with all their consequences. In 1 Samuel 29-31 we see how suddenly God’s judgment can fall and his vindication can rise– even on a single day.
In a time of transition from Theocracy to Monarchy, the books of Samuel might well be called ‘Men Behaving Badly.’ While there are occasional bright spots, time and again we see the failures of leadership and compromised faithfulness, with all their consequences. In 1 Samuel 27-28 we see that even God’s anointed makes compromises while seeking refuge in Gath– leaving us just a little uneasy about David as the future king.
In a time of transition from Theocracy to Monarchy, the books of Samuel might well be called ‘Men Behaving Badly.’ While there are occasional bright spots, time and again we see the failures of leadership and compromised faithfulness, with all their consequences. In 1 Samuel 24-26 we observe David’s righteousness among fools and traitors.
In a time of transition from Theocracy to Monarchy, the books of Samuel might well be called ‘Men Behaving Badly.’ While there are occasional bright spots, time and again we see the failures of leadership and compromised faithfulness, with all their consequences. In 1 Samuel 22-23 we explore the motif of God’s anointed King experiencing betrayal, even while he awaits his vindication.
In a time of transition from Theocracy to Monarchy, the books of Samuel might well be called ‘Men Behaving Badly.’ While there are occasional bright spots, time and again we see the failures of leadership and compromised faithfulness, with all their consequences. In 1 Samuel 18-21 we see God’s anointed King escape from the failed King, offering hope for the future under the King of God’s choosing.
In a time of transition from Theocracy to Monarchy, the books of Samuel might well be called ‘Men Behaving Badly.’ While there are occasional bright spots, time and again we see the failures of leadership and compromised faithfulness, with all their consequences. In 1 Samuel 16-17 we are introduced to the character of David. Although his time is not yet, he seems a promising candidate for a king.
This series on the book of 1 Samuel will continue next week.
In a time of transition from Theocracy to Monarchy, the books of Samuel might well be called ‘Men Behaving Badly.’ While there are occasional bright spots, time and again we see the failures of leadership and compromised faithfulness, with all their consequences. In 1 Samuel 12-15 we see the failure of faithless pragmatism and a king who ‘uses’ God instead of serving him.
In a time of transition from Theocracy to Monarchy, the books of Samuel might well be called ‘Men Behaving Badly.’ While there are occasional bright spots, time and again we see the failures of leadership and compromised faithfulness, with all their consequences. In 1 Samuel 8-11 we hear Israel’s request for a particular kind of King.
In a time of transition from Theocracy to Monarchy, the books of Samuel might well be called ‘Men Behaving Badly.’ While there are occasional bright spots, time and again we see the failures of leadership and compromised faithfulness, with all their consequences. But over and above all, we see the holiness and the majesty of God. His name will not be dragged down. His reputation will only be enhanced by the way he responds to his people.
The early years following the conquest of the Promised Land were marked by turmoil and spiritual weakness. Everyone simply did ‘what was right in their own eyes’ (Judges 17:6, 21:25), and so did not live according to what was right in God’s eyes. They did this, says the author of Judges, since they had no king– there was no military or administrative leadership, only the priesthood. Israel was a Theocracy not a Monarchy. And so, the narrative events of the book of Judges and the books of Samuel might well be called ‘Men Behaving Badly.’ While there are occasional bright spots, time and again we see the failures of leadership and compromised faithfulness, with all their consequences.
For the next two weeks, our Daily Devotionals will follow the book of 1 Samuel– and the lives of several men behaving badly.
The book of 1 Samuel explores Israel’s transition from Theocracy to Monarchy. This tenth and final unit in this series explores the events of one single day, where the fall of King Saul, and the rise of David, his successor, seems complete.
The book of 1 Samuel explores Israel’s transition from Theocracy to Monarchy, the rise and fall of King Saul, and the rise of his successor – David. This ninth unit explores the compromises and complexities of David’s life in exile in Philistine.