Sunday, September 5th
1Sam 8: 1-7
“When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his first-born son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah (A-bee-jah); they were judges in Beer-sheba. Yet his sons did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint for us a king to govern us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.” (1Sam 8:1-7)
- What did you hear?
- Why did the people ask for a King? They wanted to be like other nations who had a king.
- Who was governing the people? God was their King.
- I wonder who would make the best king?
Monday, September 6th
1Sam 9: 15-17
“Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall appoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have seen they affliction of my people, because their cry has come to me.” When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall rule over my people.”” (1Sam 9: 15-17)
- What did you hear?
- Who did the Lord choose to be King?
- Why did He choose Saul? He would save the people of Israel from the Philistines.
- Do you know that word “affliction”? suffering, misery, distress
- Do you think God hears us when we are in distress? Yes! always!
Tuesday, September 7th
1Sam 10: 1a
“Then Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their enemies round about.” (1Sam 10: 1a)
- What happened?
- I wonder why Samuel poured oil of Saul’s head?
- Oil was used to consecrate kings and priests. Samuel was anointing Saul king of the people of Israel.
- What did Samuel say Saul would do for the people of Israel?
- Reign over them and save them from the Philistines.
- I wonder if Saul will be a good king?
Wednesday, September 8th
1 Sam 11: 14-15
“Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.” So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.” (1Sam 11: 14-15)
- What did you hear?
- What do you suppose a “peace offering” is? Peace offerings had to do with thanking God for His blessings.
- What does it mean to rejoice? Celebrate, be happy, filled with joy
Thursday, September 9th
1 Sam 12: 20-24
“And Samuel said to the people, “Fear not; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart; and do not turn aside after vain things which cannot profit or save, for they are vain. For the Lord will not cast away his people for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord, and serve him faithfully with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Sam 12: 20-24)
- How did Samuel tell the people they should serve the Lord? With all their heart.
- I wonder what it means to “turn aside after vain things”? Useless, worthless, unproductive, things that won’t get us to heaven.
- Do you think this is good advice for us too?
- Will Samuel continue to pray for the people of Israel? Yes he will
- Should we pray for others?
- Who shall we pray for today?
Friday, September 10th
1 Sam 15: 22-23
“And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”” (1 Sam 15: 22-23)
- What does Samuel say is better than burnt offerings and sacrifices? To obey
- Who does Samuel want the people to obey? The Lord God
- I wonder if Samuel would tell us the same thing?
Saturday, September 11th
1 Sam 15: 24-25
"And Saul [the king] said to Samuel, 'I have sinned for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, I beg, pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the Lord.’" (1 Sam 15: 24-25)
- What did you hear?
- Did Saul obey the Lord?
- What did Saul ask?
- Can we ask pardon of our sins when we do not obey the Lord?
- How can we do that? The sacrament of reconciliation