By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 18:1-5; 20:35-42 There was the reigning, but rejected by God, King Saul. There was the heir apparent to the throne, Saul’s son, Jonathan. There was also Jonathan’s friend, the newly anointed but not yet reigning king, David. But this was no stage play. It was real life drama portraying the faithfulness of two friends and the faithfulness of the

By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: I Samuel 17:32-37, 42-50 Has anyone ever sought to discourage you for a task God wanted you to accomplish? Such was David’s situation. His father Jesse sent him to the place where the Israelites were at war with the Philistines. He was to take food to his three soldier brothers, and get information on how the battle was going.  Upon arrival,

By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: I Samuel 16:4-13 Saul had been chosen as Israel’s first king, but had failed miserably as he repeatedly disobeyed God.  God rejected him as king, and revealed to Samuel that He would choose another man to be king, a man after His own heart (I Samuel 13:14). The new king was not immediately identified, and Saul continued to reign. Only God

By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 15:7-15, 22-23 In I Samuel chapters 13-14 we see over time that Saul fought the Philistines and established his reign over Israel. Despite the fact that he stood head and shoulders taller than the average man, his heart lacked complete loyalty to God. At times, he acted foolishly and seemed to have allowed success to go to his head

By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 12:12-22 Do you fear the Lord? A healthy respect for our Creator is a good thing which should motivate us to worship and obey Him. The Israelites were involved in a cycle of fearing the Lord, then rebelling against Him, then experiencing His judgment through the attack of their enemies. When they were beaten, they repented and called on

By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage:  1 Samuel 8:4-9, 19-22 I Samuel, chapters 8-11, provide the account of how Israel transitioned from being led by judges into a monarchy led by a king.  Judges were used by God as national leaders for the 12 tribes of Israel. However, there came a time when they wanted to be like the nations surrounding them. They demanded a king. Samuel

By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 5:1-6; 6:11-16 God was working to reveal His holiness and power to the people of Israel.  The house of Eli had been rejected as God’s priests. Times were changing. The Philistines were attacking. Chaos and confusion were the order of the day. Israel was losing a battle with the Philistines. They brought the ark of the covenant into the

By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 3: 1-10, 17-21 Samuel was a boy of about 12 when he heard God’s call. Youth is the best time for a person to hear God’s voice.  As a boy, he ministered to the Lord in the tabernacle by helping Eli, the old priest (I Samuel 3:1).  He probably swept the floors or did other chores. When children are

Editor’s Note: The first paragraph of this lesson was incorrectly edited when it first appeared. The following version is now correct. By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 1:10-18, 26-28 Elkanah had two wives.  Hannah had no children, while Peninnah had several (vs. 1-2). Every year Elkanah and his wives would travel from their home town to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Interestingly,

By Ken R. Speakman Member, Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory Focal Passage:  Acts 12:7-12, 16-19 In the first century, the most evil family in the civilized world was known as the Herods. They held the highest political offices in the land, influenced kingdoms, and conquered empires. Herod the Great reigned for 40 years and was on the throne when Jesus Christ was born. When he learned the Wise Men