Welcome back! Inspired by a member of the ASSF congregation, I’m reading my way through the Bible. Here’s number 9, the first book (or scroll, as it turns out) of Samuel.

I’ll start by once again directing people to the Bible Project video for an overview. The wider narrative isn’t really clear from just reading the text. It doesn’t even explain anywhere that there’s just one story of Samuel, rather than two. It seems that they ran out of room on the first scroll, so in the Bible, we have two different books! It makes sense, though, because Samuel actually dies at the end of 1 Samuel.

Anyway, this book has some lovely stories and great characters in it. There’s Hannah and the birth of her son Samuel in her later years. There’s Samuel being called and his growth in the Lord, which reminds me of how Jesus is described as growing up in the Gospels. There’s the brave, clever and beautiful Abigail. There’s the development of a beautiful relationship between David and Jonathan.

But just when I thought the Old Testament was getting slightly easier to read, there are some tricky bits in here as well. We’ve got lots of battles and fighting again. At one point, God seems to be cross because a leader decided not to kill everybody in the city as he was commanded to, but instead spared the king and the best animals. You could argue that what God wants from us is obedience, which is a more important quality than mercy, perhaps. But still, not am easy read.

One aspect of this book that particularly struck me was the dynamic between Saul and David. Saul gets so het up about David! I can vividly imagine him brooding and pacing and throwing his sword around. But David is just not bothered, described as sitting and playing his lyre! That’s why I chose the picture at the top. I love that David is just so unphased by Saul’s negativity. I think there is a lesson to be learned in not letting others and their opinions steal our joy.

David also has a real hunility and is able to turn to God and seek wisdom over and over again, instead of rushing to a decision. I admire that, and I’m sure, as I embark unpon 2 Samuel, his leadership will be all the better for it.

Sophia fell asleep once listening to 1 Samuel, and she liked it when one morning, I read aloud the story of David and Goliath – with voices!

Favourite verse: 1 Samuel 12.23-24: As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.

Thanks to fsHH on Pixabay for the photo.