>The Ark is Captured I Samuel 4

 

I Samuel 4. The Ark is captured

 

With no thought of seeking God’s direction, the Israelites go out to battle against the Philistines. They are defeated.

 

They send to Shiloh for the ark of the covenant. Because Aaron’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas are “paid preachers”, they are going to do what they are told to do. When the ark is brought into the camp, the Israelites have a great rally.  They think they are getting somewhere spiritually, but this is nothing but idolatry. They are worshiping a box – not God.

 

The Philistines are afraid for they say, “God is come into camp.” To them the ark is an idol. This shows that the Philistines are both superstitious and ignorant. Although they have heard of His power, they are ignorant of the true and living God. The Philistines and the Israelites fight, and the Israelites lose the battle. There is a great slaughter, the ark of God is captured, and Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas are slain.

 

When the news of Israel’s terrible defeat reached the city, a great wail arose. Eli, old and blind, asks the reason for it. He maintains his composure when he is told about the death of his sons, but when he learns that the ark of God has been captured, he falls backwards and dies.

 

Eli’s death brings Samuel into the position of God’s spokesman.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

Call of Samuel. I Samuel 3

 

I Samuel 3 – Call of Samuel

 

The period of the judges is over, and no longer will God move through the priest.  He is now raising up a priest-prophet. Samuel will minister to the Lord, but his office will be that of a prophet. Samuel was a young man, and he ministered unto the Lord before Eli. Samuel did not know the Lord at first, and He was calling him to salvation.

When Israel turned back to wander in the wilderness because of unbelief, only those under twenty years of ag were allowed to live and go into the promised land. We do not know how old Samuel was, but we can be sure that he was not a toddler.

God may call many times, but there comes a day when man’s heart is hardened. Proverbs 29:1 “He that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

God never removes His Grace, but men can resist and rebel and reject until their conscience becomes seared. Men like Cain, Balaam, Samson, Korah, and Ahab reached a day when they turned their backs against God.

When God says something is going to happen, it is going to happen. God speaks to Samuel that He is about to move against the house of Eli.

Samuel did not attempt to undermine Eli but told him everything that God had said to him.

God today is revealing Himself through the Word. He is illuminating His pages of scripture.  That is how you and I come to know Him, and to know Him is life eternal.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

I Samuel 2 - Children of God

 

I Samuel 2 – Children of God

 

Most people would sing if they could keep their son, but Hannah sang because she could give her son to the service of the Lord.  She glorified the Lord who does great things for His people. Mary’s song is like Hannah’s because Mary had also made a sacrifice to the Lord. First the sacrifice, then the song.

 

Eli had lost his influence over his sons and as a result caused his family to lose the priesthood. The greatest evil comes from the corruption of the greatest good. Eli’s sons illustrate this truth.

 

Blessed are those parents who realize that their children are growing and facing new needs and struggles. And blessed are those children who grow “before the Lord.” God kept Samuel pure amid a defiled environment because he had parents who loved him and prayed for him. Jesus has a special love for children, and we must love them too.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.

 

Birth of Samuel. 1 Samuel 1

 

1 Samuel 1 -Birth of Samuel                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Elkanah had two wives. He gave more to Hannah than he did his other wife and all their children because he loved Hannah.

Hannah was probably one of the most miserable persons in the world at this time, but she went to God in prayer. The expression “she was in bitterness of soul” describes her deep disappointment at not having a son. So, she prayed for a son and promised God two things if her desire was granted: 1. He would be a priest in the Levitical service all the days of his life, and 2. She would make him a Nazarite unto God- that is, he would be separated unto the service of God.

Eli was the High Priest, and he saw this distraught woman come to the tabernacle and pray. When Hannah prayed with such zeal in her heart, Eli thought she was drunk. Eli realized his mistake and gave a prophetic blessing. That Hannah’s “countenance would be no more sad” indicates her confidence that God had heard and would answer her prayer.

Hannah lived in a day when she wanted a son, and she dedicated that son unto the Lord. On her cry, God built a kingdom.

When Hannah took her offering to the Lord, she kept her vow to God. She said, “I have promised to bring this little one to the Lord, and here he is.” Her decision to give him completely over to the service of the Lord is irrevocable.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Ruth Redeemed. Ruth 4

 

Ruth 4 – Ruth Redeemed

 

Boaz planned the marriage privately but paid the price publicly. The other kinsman was able to redeem but not willing. He was afraid of harming his own inheritance.

Ruth went from tears to joy. Hard labor to rest, from emptiness to fullness, from fear to peace and assurance. And the thing that made the difference was obeying the Word of God. When Ruth put herself at the feet of her redeemer and entrusted herself to him, he took over and changed everything.

Ruth started out with nothing but her faith, then she lived on leftovers, and soon began receiving gifts. But once she belonged to Boaz, everything he owned belonged to her.

We have a Kinsman Redeemer, and He is able to save. He is right now at God’s right hand, and He stood one day upon this earth. In fact, He hung one day upon a cross that He might redeem us from sin. Today, God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name above every name, and that someday every tongue shall confess and every knee must bow to Him. He is able to save you!

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

The Kinsman Redeemer. Ruth 3

 

Ruth 3 – The kinsman Redeemer

 

Naomi got rid of her bitterness and began to think of others.  She told Ruth how to approach Boaz, her kinsman Redeemer. He was a near relative who was able to redeem, but was he willing to redeem?

She was already under the Lord’s wings, but she requested to be under the wing of Boaz.  He was only too happy to comply! Up to that point Ruth was doing all the work, but then Boaz went to work for Ruth.  It was time for Ruth to rest and wait, trusting her kinsman-redeemer.

Ruth is a good example for us to follow when we have needs to be met.  She listened to instructions, obeyed, believed what her redeemer said, received his gifts, and waited in patience for him to do the rest.

When we are at the feet of the Redeemer, we have nothing to fear.

There is a wonderful peace that will come to the heart that will trust Him, recognizing that He has completed it all.  It is based on His work upon the cross for you and me that God saves us.

We either trust Him or we don’t trust Him. There is no middle ground. We are either resting in Him or we are trying to earn our own salvation.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

 

In The Field of Boaz. Ruth 2

 

Ruth 2 – In The Field of Boaz

 

Ruth was a young believer, but she knew enough of the Word to understand that she was permitted to glean in the fields during the harvest.  She trusted the God who was concerned about widows and the poor, and He did not fail.

 

When we trust God and obey Him, He begins to work on our behalf.

 

There were at least two men in Bethlehem who could permanently deliver Ruth and Naomi from their poverty and loneliness, and God providentially led Ruth to the field of one of them, Boaz. It was not the bitterness of Naomi but the faithfulness of Ruth that changed the picture.

 

Boaz protected Ruth and provided for her even before she discovered who he was. Instead of living on leftovers, Ruth became a friend of “the Lord of the harvest” who gave her generous gifts.

 

Boaz is a picture and a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a “mighty man of wealth, mighty man of war, and a mighty man of law.”

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.