Royal history begins with the
book of Samuel. The events recorded in 1
Samuel cover a period of about 115 years from the childhood of Samuel to
the beginning of the reign of David. This book may be divided under the names
of three of its chief characters – Samuel, Saul and David.
This book of Samuel opens with
the record of Hannah, praying for a son whom God could use. Samuel, the last of
the Judges, was God’s answer to this prayer. Samuel was a child of prayer (1 Samuel 3:1-19). When the nation
wanted a King, Samuel prayed unto the Lord (1 Samuel 8:6). Samuel grew into manhood and assumed the leadership
for which he had been born. He established a school for the prophets at his
home in Ramah. Finally we see people wanted to be like all the nations and wanted
a King and he prayed to God and granted their request.
We either can have God’s best or
his second best, his directive will or his permissive will. Saul, their first
King was a failure. He was handsome to look at, he was tall and of a noble mien.
He started out splendidly and proved to be an able military leader. He was
humble first, but we find him becoming proud and disobedient to God. No man had
a greater opportunity than Saul and no man ever was a greater failure.
The only reason any soul is ever
rejected by God is that that soul has first rejected God. God takes the initiative
in love. “We love because he first loved
us” – 1 John 4:19. People take
the initiative in sin (1 Samuel 15:23)
When Saul failed, Samuel was
faithful in warning him, and then in loneliness he mourned over him. Finally in
a battle with the Philistines, Saul and his three sons met death. Here a life
so full of promise ended in defeat and failure. Saul had not obeyed God
absolutely.
God is showing in this book that
he must be all in all; that his children have no blessing apart from him. After
reading this book, I urge you to take choices wisely when blessing pours in
your life because according to your choice you change your destiny. God bless
you.
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