Saul is the king we asked for, and this is the fight we were told to watch for—but something is terribly wrong!

Is Saul finally the king the people desire? Or the king they deserve? He’s certainly, as Samuel reminds them, the one they asked for!

Continuing our study in 1 Samuel, we reviewed chapters 8 and 9 before pausing to consider the pressing issue of textual variants. Sometimes our Bible translations don’t phrase things the same way. How do we approach these differences? After the lengthy explanation offered here, the bottom line is that scripture is reliable and to be trusted. Instead of discouraging us, differences should prompt us all the more to approach scripture with deep and genuine study.

What a lively discussion we had today! Pastor Tony led us through the next couple chapters of Samuel and the rejection of the Lord as King. Dynasties have been established but the people want so much more…or less, it would seem.

After some remarks on helpful resources and a bit of review (including corrections!) we dive into chapter 7. After 20 years idolatry has taken root and Israel needs…a king? Not yet! First Samuel serves as judge, in a manner reminiscent of Moses. As the people confess and repent, recommitting themselves to the Lord, he works a great deliverance from the Philistines. But where will Israel go from here? And where is the king that Hannah’s prayer led us to expect?

The stage has been set and we are in search of a prophet, priest, king. The Ark wages its own war against the Philistines?

Pastor Tony led us to the end of chapter 4, pointed out puns, commented on covenants, and led us to look deeper!

Continuing our study of 1 Samuel, where is the faithful prophet? The faithful priest? The faithful king? 1 Samuel points us to Christ!

In this week’s study Pastor Tony describes his operating assumptions as he reads and interprets the Bible, introduces the book of Samuel, and then gets into 1 Samuel 1–2. And what a great discussion we had! Join us next week as we pick back up with Hannah’s prayer and continue.