Samuel’s Prophecy

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Samuel’s Prophecy

Date: Jul. 27, 2024

Passage

1 Samuel 28:15-25 (ESV)

15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” 16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”

20 Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. 21 And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. 22 Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.” 23 He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. 24 Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it, 25 and she put it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 28:19

Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”

When Samuel appeared, he rebuked Saul. Saul confessed his distress, saying, “God has departed from me.” Since the LORD had departed, Saul implored Samuel, “Tell me what to do.” Samuel asked Saul, “Why do you consult me?” The LORD had departed from Saul because he didn’t obey God. Now was the time when God would fulfill his will. He would establish David as king because David was a man after God’s own heart. This was also the time he would hand the Israelites over to the Philistines, and Saul and his sons would be killed. Saul’s persistent disobedience came with consequences for him, his family, and the nation. Samuel prophesied this tragedy.

Upon hearing Samuel’s words, Saul’s strength was gone. He refused to listen, and he refused to eat. Eventually he and his men ate something and went on their way, but Saul was a man apart from God. He was instead filled with fear and ruled by it. This is the real tragedy. If the LORD departs there is no life and no hope—only constant fear. In the LORD and in his word, we have life. Apart from the LORD we have only fear and death.

Prayer: Lord, help me to hold on to your lifegiving word. Protect me from the power of fear and death.

One Word: Hold on to the word of life

Holy to the Lord

Zechariah 14:1-21

Key Verse: 14:20

And on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “Holy to the LORD.” And the pots in the house of the LORD shall be as the bowls before the altar.

Today's Question

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