This week we move onto the next section of readings looking at what happened to the Israelites once they had finally reached the Promised Land. Again we see how they challenge God’s leadership and reign over them; this time they ask for a earthly king like they nations around them had, which marks a significant rejection of God’s rule. Yet, God does not abandon them, he just uses the kings to work out his plans! So we meet Samuel, Saul and then David, three great characters in the story of the Rise of Israel.

* 1 Samuel 1-3

This passage introduces us to the book of Samuel, giving us some background about where Samuel came from and why he ended up where he did. Firstly, we meet Hannah, Samuel’s mother. She was desperate to have children and was grieved deeply that she was unable to do so. She poured out her heart to God and asked for his help. How do we react when our situation isn’t as we want it? Do we come to God in heartfelt prayer and tell him how we feel?

In these chapters we also meet Eli, the priest. He had failed to discipline his sons when they were younger and this was no having a terrible repercussions. They disrespected God, and treated “the Lord’s offering with contempt.” (2:17). Eli rebuked his sons but they did not listen. It was God’s will that unlike tradition, they would not be allowed to take over from the father as Priest upon his death. This would have been disastrous.

Samuel is given to God as a child, so that he could serve all his life. When Hannah pleaded with God for a child, she promised this and so Samuel lived with Eli in the temple and served God there. But he was very different to Eli’s own sons, and this is very obvious throughout the passage: he listened to God, but they didn’t. Samuel went on to be a great leader, but because of their disobedience, it was God’s plan to make it so that anyone in Eli’s family line would die before reaching old age, and that they will do jobs subservient to priests (rather than continue to be a family of the temple priests).

- Meditate on Hannah’s prayer. Are there situations you have taken to God which God has intervened into and you have been able to praise God after?

- Are you listening to God? What is he saying to you today?

* 1 Samuel 8-10

Israel wanted a king. They wanted to be like everybody else, and despite everything God had done for Israel, they were still determined to go their own way. This is something that every Christian faces even today- the temptation to conform and be accepted by others can lead us away from God. Jesus commanded his disciples, “Follow me.” and he issues the same invitation to us today. It may sound simple, but it means allowing God to be king of your life.

This time, God gave them what they asked for – a king, even if it wasn’t necessarily part of his plan. Saul, a tall & impressive yet humble man was chosen for the job. God allowed the Israelites to have their king even though later down the line, it might causes further problems. God loves us and wants us to learn important lessons from the bad decisions we sometimes can make.

God chose Saul to be their leader because he had a heart that was open to be led by the spirit. That is a characteristic not only desirable for us as leaders, but worth us cultivating no matter what we are called to be. We need to allow God to work in us, but we must also develop an ability to hear him and know his voice as it directs us. You can do this by reading his word, spending time with him and also by practising the spiritual gifts he has invested in you.

- Are you following and allowing Jesus to be King of your life at the moment?

- What could you do better this week to cultivate an ability to hear from God better?