“We are your relatives,” said the Israelites to David. “In the past, even when Saul was king of Israel, it was really you that led the forces of Israel. And God told Samuel that you were to be the leader of the Israelites.” So, in Hebron, David made a covenant before God, with all the… Read More »
“Why Are They Weeping?”
Saul returned from plowing in the field and saw that people were weeping. “Why?” he asked. “Nahash, the Amorite and his army have surrounded our city and are prepared to destroy us. We aren’t strong enough to fight them; so, we asked if we could make a treaty. Nahash said we could; but he would… Read More »
“We Want A King!”
“You’re getting old and your sons are not like you, we want a king, like all the other people around us,” said the Israelite elders to Samuel. “Lord, how can these people say things like that, after all I’ve taught them?” “Samuel, these people aren’t rejecting you, they’re rejecting me. Give them a king; I’ll… Read More »
“I Can’t See!”
“Gouge his eyes out,” shouted the leader of the Philistines. With that, Samson, the previously mighty man of strength was seized, blinded, and led off to a prison where he was forced to grind grain much like a beast of the field that would be harnessed to a millstone. Samson’s vow with God had been… Read More »
“Rule Over Us!”
“Gideon, rule over us,” the Israelites said; for they were grateful that they were released from the slavery of the Midianites. “I will not rule over Israel,” replied Gideon; “The Lord rules over Israel. It is the Lord that destroyed 120,000 Midianite warriors.” The Israelites lived in peace during the next 40 years (the remainder… Read More »
“The Lord Is With You Mighty Warrior!”
“The Lord is with you, mighty warrior,” the angel of the Lord said to Gibeon. “If the Lord is with me, why am I down here threshing wheat in this wine vat, trying to keep out of sight of the Midianites, who would steal the grain?” “God has heard the cry of repentance from the… Read More »
“Down With King Eglon!”
“Look at the nations around us. They have a king, they worship Baal and Asherah. We want to live like they live,” said the Israelites. Their choice to live a lifestyle in disobedience to God resulted in God allowing King Eglon of Moab to defeat the Israelites. After 18 years of oppressive rule by King… Read More »
“I Changed My Mind!”
“Lots of my friends are worshipping Baal, I’m going to join them,” said the Israelites. With that, the Israelites turned their back on God and did evil in His sight. How quickly they had forgotten the 40 years of peace they enjoyed while Israel’s Judge, Othniel, was living. Now, life has, again, become unbearable; because… Read More »
“Lord, Help Us!”
“These foreigners have invaded our land and have made us like slaves,” said the Israelites. “We have forsaken you in our worship and have turned to other gods. We repent of our sins and ask for a leader like Joshua, of our fathers.” God provided a leader (Judge) named Othniel to deliver the Israelites from… Read More »
“I Want To Live My Way!”
“The people that lived in this land before us worshipped Baal. I can see Baal, but I can’t see God. Maybe I can worship both. Or, maybe I can take turns…I’ll worship Baal for a while and then I’ll worship God for a while. Maybe, when I get older I’ll worship God. For now, let… Read More »