In today’s Bible reading*, the people demand that Samuel appoint a king to rule over them … just like the other nations have. Samuel seeks God’s mind on the matter. God knows that the people want something to substitute for Him. Rather than having a relationship with their Creator, they would rather have idols to…
We begin to read about the prophet Samuel in today’s Bible reading*. Samuel was a very special man in the life of Israel. We learn today that he was a miracle baby to his mother who was barren until his birth. His mother Hannah dedicated him to God as a child and he was raised…
Today’s Bible reading* can be summarized in the last verse from today’s reading: In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him. Judges 21:25 (CSB) In fact, this sentence is repeated frequently in the book of Judges. The first verse of today’s reading includes the first part of…
For most of us who have been around church for very long, we’re familiar with the story of the strongman Samson. His story is part of today’s Bible reading*. As I pointed out yesterday, Samson’s mother took a Nazarite Vow for herself and her yet-to-be-born son. The Nazarite Vow (Numbers 6) required total abstinence from…
Twice in today’s Bible reading* we see people making vows to God. The first is a judge named Jephthah. Although human sacrifice was strictly forbidden to God’s people he made a vow that if God would deliver the Ammonites to him, he promised to sacrifice the first person that went through the doorway when he…
In today’s Bible reading* we see a stark contrast to yesterday’s reading about an 85-year-old Caleb choosing the Hill Country because he wanted the challenge of slaying the giants in the land. Today we read the descendants of Joseph complain that the Hill Country isn’t large enough for them. It appears that they don’t want…
