Bible Study (6) - Steven: A Faith That Advances GOD'S Kingdom - Acts 6:3-15 and Acts 7:51-60 - July 6,2025

 

Bible Study (6) – Steven: A Faith That Advances GOD’S Kingdom – ACTS 6:3-15 and Acts 7:51-60 - July 6, 2025

[This is the edited version and no changes, if you read the earlier publication - A special thank you to all who prayed for me. My procedure went well and I am on the mend. To GOD BE THE GLORY!!!]

Bold faith helps advance the Kingdom of GOD.

Our focus scriptures are Acts 6:3-15 and Acts 7:51-60.

Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Let’s read Acts 6:1-15: In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. (The term Hellenistic Jews refers to Jewish people who were influenced by Greek culture and language, primarily living outside of Judea, often in places like Alexandria. They spoke Greek and often adopted some aspects of Greek philosophy and customs. In contrast, Hebraic Jews, sometimes referred to as Palestinian Jews, were those who primarily spoke Hebrew or Aramaic, lived in Judea or nearby regions, and adhered closely to traditional Jewish laws and customs.)

² The Twelve (Disciples) summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. ³ Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. ⁴ But we (The Twelve) will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ This proposal pleased the whole company. So, they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch. ⁶ They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

⁷ So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

⁸ Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen’s Synagogue*, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue with Stephen. ¹⁰ But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.

* The Synagogue of the Freedmen is mentioned only once in the Bible: “Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen” (Acts 6:8–9). The Synagogue of the Freedmen is called the Synagogue of the Libertines in the KJV. The word libertine is from the Latin and originally referred to a man who had been a slave but had been set at liberty. Some scholars believe that these persons were slaves of the Romans who had been freed, became proselytes of the Jewish religion, and had a synagogue in Jerusalem. The NLT (New Living Testament) calls this group the Synagogue of Freed Slaves.

¹¹ Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” ¹² They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so, they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. ¹³ They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law. ¹⁴ For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” ¹⁵ And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

A silent witness to all. CHRIST in us reaches out to others.

Resisting the Holy Spirit

⁵¹ “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your ancestors did, you do also. ⁵² Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. ⁵³ You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it.”

The First Christian Martyr

⁵⁴ When they heard these things, they were enraged^[o] and gnashed their teeth at him. ⁵⁵ Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

⁵⁷ They yelled at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him. ⁵⁸ They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” ⁶⁰ He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he fell asleep.

The death of a Saint never happens without achieving GOD’S purpose. As tragic as Stephen’s death was it was not without purpose.

Notice verse 58, “And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.” None other than Saul who would be known as The Apostle Paul.

The death of a Saint never happens without achieving GOD’S purpose. As tragic as Stephen’s death was it was not without purpose.

Notice verse 58, “And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.” None other than Saul who would be known to us as The Apostle Paul. The stoning to death of Stephen was tragic but it was a powerful witness to Saul, who after his conversion became to a stalwart for CHRIST.

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Walking by Faith (5) - John the Baptist: A Faith That Challenges Others - Matthew 3:1-12 + JESUS being Baptised - June 29, 2025

 Bible Study – Walking by Faith (5) – John the Baptist: A Faith That Challenges Others – Matthew 3:1-12 – June 29, 2025

Faith stands unwaveringly on the truth.

Who was John the Baptist?

Let’s explore!           

Background:

Let’s read Luke 1:5-15:

Gabriel Predicts John’s Birth

⁵ In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶ Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. ⁷ But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.

⁸ When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, ⁹ it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰ At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. ¹¹ An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. ¹³ But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. ¹⁴ There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. ¹⁵ For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. 

As many times that I have read this scripture, this is the first time these words “He (John) will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb” have resonated with me. Just as GOD sent JESUS for HIS purpose, GOD sent John by human conception, to be the herald for JESUS, GOD’S promised Messiah.

GOD’S timing is always perfect.

This is a beautiful revelation of GOD’S power. John the Baptist was anointed and sealed by the Holy Spirit while in his mother’s womb. He was anointed and sealed to announce the arrival of JESUS, the promised Messiah, and open the door to salvation through faith in JESUS, GOD’S only SON.

The time in human history combined with GOD’S redemptive plan for the people of earth to transition from the Law to Grace through faith in JESUS had arrived. Such an event would take place in human time through the lives of John the Baptist, the Hearld and JESUS, The Promised Messiah. What a team ordained by GOD for all people.

In those days, a herald would go before a king or an important person to announce that this person was coming through or to that area. It was an invitation for all to come, see, greet, and welcome this person.

John the Baptist was unique in his dress, eating and the messages that he taught. We see in this scripture that John came filled with the Holy Spirit while in his mother’s womb.

GOD was establishing HIS redemptive plan for all people through faith in HIS only SON JESUS. JESUS would fulfill the law and HIS sinless life, physical death, HIS physical/eternal resurrection, physical ascension into Heaven, where HE took HIS seat at the right-hand of GOD, HIS FATHER. The passion of JESUS fulfilled GOD’S redemptive plan for all people who place their faith in JESUS.

The Law was in place and had been since Moses. Now GOD was changing from worshipers obeying the Law by going to a physical temple and making sacrifices to establishing Grace through faith in JESUS. The passion of JESUS prepared the human body to become the temple for the Holy Spirit to reside. This transition would redeem from Hell, and seal all who place their faith in JESUS to eternal life while upon earth and continuing at the death of their human bodies.

Eternal life is GOD and JESUS’ Gift to all who place their faith in JESUS and HIS passion.

Back to John, The Hearld for JESUS:

So why was John referred to as John the Baptist? Simply because he baptized those who placed their faith in GOD for the forgiveness of their sins. John was referred to as the Baptizer (Baptist) because he immersed all who placed their faith in GOD completely under water as a symbol of their sins being washed away. This was and is to show that a person of faith in GOD at that time and since the passion of JESUS, was dying to their way old life and were being raised to or resurrected to their new eternal life.

John’s baptism was a place holder until JESUS completed GOD’S redemptive plan through the Passion of JESUS. JESUS fulfilled the Law and established Grace because JESUS was and is the only perfect acceptable, eternal sacrifice to GOD for all sin for all who place their faith in JESUS.

There were over 500 witnesses (1 Corinthians 15) to the resurrection of JESUS during HIS 40-days upon earth until HIS bodily ascension into Heaven.

Once in Heaven, JESUS took HIS seat at the right-hand of GOD, HIS FATHER to intercede on behalf of all “Born-again” Christians.

What is the Passion of JESUS?

It is JESUS, GOD’S only Son, one third of the Holy Trinity, leaving HIS eternal home in Heaven and willingly coming to earth to live a 100% human, sinless life: yet GOD. JESUS was the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD, HIS FATHER, to atone for all sin for all who will place their faith in JESUS.

When a person seeks to be in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS, The Holy Spirit reveals truth and opens his/her eyes to see that truth. That person then has the freedom to choose to accept or reject the miracle of Spiritual Eternal birth into GOD’S Family.

Have you made this decision in your life? If not, now is that opportunity. It is not saying the right words because GOD knows your heart. Some people simply say, “I give up, Dear JESUS forgive me for my sins and come into my heart now and make me your eternal Son/Daughter through the miracle of being “Born-again” or “Spiritual-birth.” Thank YOU for saving me from eternal Hell and making me YOUR eternal Son/Daughter through the miracle of Spiritual Birth. If you prayed such a prayer or a similar prayer, then thank JESUS for saving your soul and in HIM doing so removed the barrier of sin and opened the path to GOD through HIS shed blood. Why Blood? Because without the shedding of blood there is no redemption from sin. JESUS paid in full for the redemption of all who place their faith in HIM.

Salvation through faith in JESUS is not complicated. It took JESUS coming from Heaven to earth to show all people the way to GOD through faith in HIM (JESUS).

JESUS coming to earth to live 100% human life meant JESUS would die physically, just as all humans will die physically. JESUS had to trust GOD, HIS FATHER, to raise HIM from the physically dead and restore HIS eternal life. JESUS had to trust GOD, HIS FATHER and HE did and so do all people. JESUS gave HIS sinless life so you could have eternal life through faith in HIM and HIS passion.

All who place their faith in JESUS receive the Holy Spirit to confirm their salvation.

JESUS was born 100% human, just like all humans. HE would die physically like all humans. So, what makes JESUS different? GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead, bodily, to eternal life and was the first fruit from the dead to show all the world that faith in HIM and HIS passion results in any person placing his/her faith in JESUS, results in that person being “born-again” Spiritually. The person of faith in JESUS becomes GOD’S Son/Daughter and has eternal life.

JESUS walked upon earth for 40 days before HE ascended into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right-hand of GOD, HIS FATHER. JESUS intercedes for all Spirit-born Christians.

Why? Satan goes before GOD and accuses “born-again” Christians every time they sin. (As Christians, we all sin.) JESUS is the “Spirit-born” Christians’ advocate because their sins are covered by the shed blood of JESUS. All “born-again” Christians are eternally covered by the shed blood of JESUS.

All of this took place because of the passion of JESUS. However, a person must individually accept what JESUS did for all. Sin is personal and so is salvation.

Back to John the Baptist and JESUS beginning to reveal GOD’S redemptive plan. The transition from the Law and making sacrifices to GOD’S Grace through faith in JESUS is GOD’S redemptive plan.

GOD had a specific calling for John the Baptist in HIS redemptive plan. John was 6-months older than JESUS.

¹⁶ He (John) will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”

¹⁸ “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

¹⁹ The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. ²⁰ Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.

²¹ Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. ²² When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them and remained speechless. ²³ When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.

²⁴ After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, ²⁵ “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.”

 In those days, it was a disgrace for a woman not to conceive and have a baby.

It is interesting that Elizabeth and Mary were cousins.

Now, onto the announcement of the conception of JESUS.

Gabriel Predicts Jesus’s Birth

²⁶ In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin engaged^[c] to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”^[d] 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. ³⁰ Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. ³³ He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.”

³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” ^[e]

Great question! Mary confirmed that she was a virgin.

³⁵ The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.”

³⁸ “See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth

³⁹ In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² Then she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed!^[f] 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”

WOW!!! This is exciting. GOD’S plan is to make HIS presence known to all people. The Eternal King JESUS is coming.

The people were looking for the coming of the promised Messiah, JESUS, then and we are looking for the second coming of JESUS today.

When we read about the signs of the things taking place upon earth before the second coming of JESUS, folks it is getting closer.

This is a partial list of a few signs pointing to the second coming of JESUS. It is getting closer:

Before the second coming of Jesus, the following events will take place:

1.    A Jewish homeland will be established in Israel.

2.    The Gospel will be preached to the entire world.

3.    Worldwide communications will exist before the final two witnesses.

4.    Natural disasters will be widespread.

5.    War and violence will run rampant.

6.    A charismatic and convincing false prophet will appear.

7.    God’s people will be hunted and killed.

This is not to cause us to fear but to watch and know, but to get our Spiritual house in order. Accept JESUS as our Savior and make HIM the LORD of our lives.

The two key GOD ordained participants in establishing GOD’S redemptive plan have grown and prepared to minister – John the Baptist and JESUS. Let’s continue to explore!!!

Let’s read Matthew 3:1-17:

The Herald of the Messiah – John the Baptist is now grown and doing what GOD called him to do, which is to announce and be the Hearld for JESUS, the promised Messiah.

3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” ³ For he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said:

A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight!^[a]

⁴ Now John had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ Then people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the vicinity of the Jordan were going out to him, ⁶ and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

⁷ When he (John) saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 

I wonder how many church members there would be if our ministers preached such a message? But we do read that people responded to John’s message. Repent and produce! Put into action what is being revealed to you that will benefit others journeying through life.

⁸ Therefore produce fruit consistent with^[b] repentance. ⁹ And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. ¹⁰ The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

A person’s heritage, status, wealth, intellect does not count toward salvation. There is just one way, placing your faith in JESUS and HIS passion, which includes death and HIS resurrection, which assures every person of faith eternal life.

¹¹ “I baptize you with^[c] water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove^[d] his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out.”

The Baptism of Jesus

¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”

¹⁵ Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.

Both, John, and JESUS had been ordained and called by GOD to fulfill GOD’S redemptive plan.

¹⁶ When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him,^[e] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”

GOD knew HE could count on JESUS to fulfill the law and HIS redemptive plan of Grace for all who place their faith in JESUS and HIS passion.

Why did JESUS insist that John the Baptist baptize HIM?

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

GOD, Himself responded with JESUS’ not leaving a jot or tittle out of HIS earthly ministry.

Jesus submitted to John’s baptism to set a president for believers to follow. The Bible says that those who believe in Jesus Christ are to walk as He walked. We are to pattern our Christian experience after His life. Therefore, in obedience to Him, a person should be baptized with water when he/she makes a public profession of his/her faith in JESUS.

Thank You, JESUS!!! For there is no other way to Heaven except through faith in JESUS!

Blessings!!!

 

Bible Study - Faith (4) - King David/King Saul-Various Scripture in 1 and 2 Samuel - June7, 2025

 

Bible Study – Faith (4) – King David – Various Scriptures in 1 Samuel 15, 1 Samuel 16, 1 Samuel 17, 1 Samuel 18 and 2 Samuel 11 – June 22, 2025

Let’s explore!!!

King Saul was the King of Israel, but GOD was disappointed in Saul. Why?

GOD knew his heart! And GOD knows my heart and your heart, so be honest with GOD.

 Let’s read 1 Samuel 15:1-

1 Samuel 15:1 Samuel told Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you as king over his people Israel. Now, listen to the words of the Lord. ² This is what the Lord of Armies says: ‘I witnessed^[a] what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them along the way as they were coming out of Egypt. ³ Now go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have. Do not spare them. Kill men and women, infants and nursing babies, oxen and sheep, camels, and donkeys.’”

WOW! Those were GOD’S orders, which King Saul was to carryout as instructed by the Prophet Samuel. Obedience to the Commander in Chief’s orders (GOD) are vital to every leader (King Saul).

⁷ Then Saul struck down the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Suhr, which is next to Egypt. ⁸ He captured King Agag of Amalek alive, but he completely destroyed all the rest of the people with the sword. ⁹ Saul and the troops spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and choice animals,^[b] as well as the young rams and the best of everything else. They were not willing to destroy them, but they did destroy all the worthless and unwanted things.

¹⁰ Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel, ¹¹ “I regret that I made Saul king, for he has turned away from following me and has not carried out my instructions.” So, Samuel became angry and cried out to the Lord all night.

¹² Early in the morning Samuel got up to confront Saul, but it was reported to Samuel, “Saul went to Carmel where he set up a monument for himself. Then he turned around and went down to Gilgal.” ¹³ When Samuel came to him, Saul said, “May the Lord bless you. I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.”

¹⁴ Samuel replied, “Then what is this sound of sheep, goats, and cattle I hear?”

¹⁵ Saul answered, “The troops brought them from the Amalekites and spared the best sheep, goats, and cattle in order to offer a sacrifice to the Lord your God, but the rest we destroyed.”

NOTICE WHAT KING SAUL SAID, “YOUR GOD!” TO THAT IS A REVEALING STATEMENT. KING SAUL LIKED THE PRESTIAGE OF BEING KING BUT APPARENTLY DID NOT GIVE GOD THE CREDIT FOR PUTTING HIM IN THAT POZITION. THIS IS SERIOUS FOR THE SAKE OF ISRAEL!

¹⁶ “Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.”

“Tell me,” he replied.

¹⁷ Samuel continued, “Although you once considered yourself unimportant, haven’t you become the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel ¹⁸ and then sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have annihilated them.’ ¹⁹ So why didn’t you obey the Lord? Why did you rush on the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?”

²⁰ “But I did obey the Lord!” Saul answered.^[c] “I went on the mission the Lord gave me: I brought back King Agag of Amalek, and I completely destroyed the Amalekites. ²¹ The troops took sheep, goats, and cattle from the plunder—the best of what was set apart for destruction—to sacrifice to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”

²² Then Samuel said:

Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
Look: to obey is better than sacrifice,
to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.
²³ For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.

²⁴ Saul answered Samuel, “I have sinned. I have transgressed the Lord’s command and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them. ²⁵ Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the Lord.”

So, Saul feared the people more than The ONE TRUE GOD, YAWAH? King Saul is conniver.  

²⁶ Samuel replied to Saul, “I will not return with you. Because you rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” ²⁷ When Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the corner of his robe, and it tore. ²⁸ Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingship of Israel away from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you. ²⁹ Furthermore, the Eternal One of Israel does not lie or change his mind, for he is not man who changes his mind.”

³⁰ Saul said, “I have sinned. Please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me so I can bow in worship to the Lord your God.” 

King Saul states again, “Come back with me so I can bow in worship to the Lord your God.”  Had King Saul already been infused with evil spirits? Sounds like it and Samuel being a Prophet knew that Satan had compromised Saul.

³¹ Then Samuel went back, following Saul, and Saul bowed down to the Lord.

We see King Saul wiggle and do all he could to justify his actions, which reveals his heart. GOD sees King Saul’s heart, as well as Samuel.

What is the message? Be honest with GOD because HE already knows your heart.

³² Samuel said, “Bring me King Agag of Amalek.”

Agag came to him trembling,^[d] for he thought, “Certainly the bitterness of death has come.”^[e][f]

³³ Samuel declared:

As your sword has made women childless,
so your mother will be childless among women.

Then he hacked Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal.

Samuel had to complete what King Saul did not do. WOW!

Obedience. Is vital when serving GOD and JESUS.

JESUS fulfilled the Law and paid the penalty for all sin, for those who will place their faith in JESUS, HIS sinless life, death, bodily resurrection on the third day, walked upon earth for 40 days and bodily ascended into Heaven to take HIS seat at the righthand of GOD, HIS FATHER.

JESUS is the intercessor on behalf of all who have been “born-again.”

Why do “Spirit-born” Christians need an intercessor/advocate?

JESUS fulfilled HIS Mission and purpose, which is, eternal salvation from Hell when a person accepts JESUS as his/her Savior through the miracle of being “Born-Again” into GOD’S eternal Family. The shed blood of JESUS paid in-full for the sins of all who are “born-again” through faith in JESUS and HIS Passion.

As GOD’S child, GOD desires for all “Born-again” Christians to be obedient to HIM as their Commander-in-Chief.

King Saul had disqualified himself from being King because he did not carry out GOD’S orders, therefore GOD was going to replace King Saul. GOD told Samuel that King Saul’s reign as King of Israel was over and for Samuel to anoint another person, that GOD would reveal to him who would be King Saul’s replacement.

The Prophet Samuel goes into action seeking King Saul’s replacement while King Saul remains King.

GOD knew just the right person, but HIS chosen person needed to be in the right position at the right time.

Can you look back over your life and see that GOD positioned you to be at the right time in the right place to be chosen?

The Prophet Samuel Anoints David to be King of Israel – 1 Samuel 16:1-13:

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for (King) Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected for myself a king from his sons.”

² Samuel asked, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!”

The Lord answered, “Take a young cow with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ ³ Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you are to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate to you.”

⁴ Samuel did what the Lord directed and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled^[a] and asked, “Do^[b] you come in peace?”

The people of Bethlehem knew for a Prophet of GOD to come to their City something serious was going to take place – good or bad. Bethlehem was significant in GOD’S future plans for the promised Messiah as recorded by the Prophet Micah in Micah 5:2: Bethlehem Ephrathah,
you are small among the clans of Judah;
one will come from you
to be ruler over Israel for me.
His origin^[a] is from antiquity,
from ancient times.

GOD revealed through the Prophet Micah that HIS only SON, JESUS, would be born in Bethlehem through the lineage of David years later.

The people of Bethlehem wanted to know why the Prophet Samuel was coming to Bethlehem and Samuel told them ---

⁵ “In peace,” he replied. “I’ve come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.”^[c] Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. ⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Certainly the Lord’s anointed one is here before him.”

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees,^[d] for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”

This is an encouraging fact from GOD to those who are chosen!!!

GOD sees a person’s potential because GOD knows a person’s heart.

Did you know that GOD has chosen you? In Ephesians 1: ³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons/daughters through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

GOD chose us!? The question is “do you choose GOD through faith in JESUS?”

Let’s continue - GOD’S Prophet, Samuel, was searching for GOD’S next King of Israel to follow King Saul.

⁸ Jesse (David’s dad) called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. “The Lord hasn’t chosen this one either,” Samuel said. ⁹ Then Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The Lord hasn’t chosen this one either.” ¹⁰ any of these.” ¹¹ After Jesse presented seven of his sons to him, Samuel told Jesse, “The Lord hasn’t chosen - Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” he answered, “but right now he’s tending the sheep.” Samuel told Jesse, “Send for him. We won’t sit down to eat until he gets here.” ¹² So Jesse sent for him. He had beautiful eyes and a healthy,^[e] handsome appearance.

Yes, David was handsome and physically fit, but GOD looks upon a person’s heart and his/her potential.

Then the Lord said, “Anoint him, for he is the one.” ¹³ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully on David from that day forward. 

GOD’S plan begins to take shape as we read in 1 Samuel 16:14- David in Saul’s Court

¹⁴ Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and an evil spirit sent from the Lord began to torment him, ¹⁵ so Saul’s servants said to him, “You see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. ¹⁶ Let our lord command your servants here in your presence to look for someone who knows how to play the lyre. Whenever the evil spirit from God comes on you, that person can play the lyre, and you will feel better.”

¹⁷ Then Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

¹⁸ One of the young men answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is also a valiant man, a warrior, eloquent, handsome, and the Lord is with him.”

¹⁹ Then Saul dispatched messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” ²⁰ So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a wineskin, and one young goat and sent them by his son David to Saul. ²¹ When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer. ²² Then Saul sent word to Jesse: “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor with me.” ²³ Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would pick up his lyre and play, and Saul would then be relieved, feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

David is living at the King’s Palace to keep King Saul calm and to accompany King Saul as his armor-bearer.

GOD positions HIS chosen to be at the right place at the right time but that does not mean things will always go smoothly.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 17:1-

David versus Goliath

17 The Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah and camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim. ² Saul and the men of Israel gathered and camped in the Valley of Elah; then they lined up in battle formation to face the Philistines.

³ The Philistines were standing on one hill, and the Israelites were standing on another hill with a ravine between them. ⁴ Then a champion named Goliath, from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was nine feet, nine inches^[a][b] tall ⁵ and wore a bronze helmet and bronze scale armor that weighed one hundred twenty-five pounds.^[c] 6 There was bronze armor on his shins, and a bronze javelin was slung between his shoulders. ⁷ His spear shaft was like a weaver’s beam, and the iron point of his spear weighed fifteen pounds.^[d] In addition, a shield-bearer was walking in front of him.

⁸ He stood and shouted to the Israelite battle formations, “Why do you come out to line up in battle formation?” He asked them, “Am I not a Philistine and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me. ⁹ If he wins in a fight against me and kills me, we will be your servants. But if I win against him and kill him, then you will be our servants and serve us.” ¹⁰ Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel today. Send me a man so we can fight each other!” ¹¹ When Saul and all Israel heard these words from the Philistine, they lost their courage and were terrified.

¹² Now David was the son of the Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah named Jesse. Jesse had eight sons and during Saul’s reign was already an old man. ¹³ Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war, and their names were Eliab, the firstborn, Abinadab, the next, and Shammah, the third, ¹⁴ and David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul, ¹⁵ but David kept going back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock in Bethlehem.

¹⁶ Every morning and evening for forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand. ¹⁷ One day Jesse had told his son David, “Take this half-bushel^[e] of roasted grain along with these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. ¹⁸ Also take these ten portions of cheese to the field commander.^[f] Check on the well-being of your brothers and bring a confirmation from them. ¹⁹ They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah fighting with the Philistines.”

²⁰ So David got up early in the morning, left the flock with someone to keep it, loaded up, and set out as Jesse had charged him.

He arrived at the perimeter of the camp as the army was marching out to its battle formation shouting their battle cry. ²¹ Israel and the Philistines lined up in battle formation facing each other. ²² David left his supplies in the care of the quartermaster and ran to the battle line. When he arrived, he asked his brothers how they were. ²³ While he was speaking with them, suddenly the champion named Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, came forward from the Philistine battle line and shouted his usual words, which David heard. ²⁴ When all the Israelite men saw Goliath, they retreated from him terrified.

²⁵ Previously, an Israelite man had declared, “Do you see this man who keeps coming out? He comes to defy Israel. The king will make the man who kills him very rich and will give him his daughter. The king will also make the family of that man’s father exempt from paying taxes in Israel.”

²⁶ David spoke to the men who were standing with him: “What will be done for the man who kills that Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

²⁷ The troops told him about the offer, concluding, “That is what will be done for the man who kills him.”

²⁸ David’s oldest brother Eliab listened as he spoke to the men, and he became angry with him. “Why did you come down here?” he asked. “Who did you leave those few sheep within the wilderness? I know your arrogance and your evil heart—you came down to see the battle!”

²⁹ “What have I done now?” protested David. “It was just a question.” ³⁰ Then he turned from those beside him to others in front of him and asked about the offer. The people gave him the same answer as before.

³¹ What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, so he had David brought to him. ³² David said to Saul, “Don’t let anyone be discouraged by him; your servant will go and fight this, Philistine!”

³³ But Saul replied, “You can’t go fight this, Philistine. You’re just a youth, and he’s been a warrior since he was young.”

³⁴ David answered Saul, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, ³⁵ I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur,^[g] strike it down, and kill it. ³⁶ Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” ³⁷ Then David said, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.”

GOD had prepared David for such a time like this. David’s experience protecting the flock of sheep prepared him to know he would be victorious in his fight with Goliath.

³⁸ Then Saul had his own military clothes put on David. He put a bronze helmet on David’s head and had him put on armor. ³⁹ David strapped his sword on over the military clothes and tried to walk, but he was not used to them. “I can’t walk in these,” David said to Saul, “I’m not used to them.” So, David took them off. ⁴⁰ Instead, he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pouch, in his shepherd’s bag. Then, with his sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine.

⁴¹ The Philistine came closer and closer to David, with the shield-bearer in front of him. ⁴² When the Philistine looked and saw David, he despised him because he was just a youth, healthy^[h] and handsome. ⁴³ He said to David, “Am I a dog that you come against me with sticks?” ^[i] Then he cursed David by his gods. ⁴⁴ “Come here,” the Philistine called to David, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts!”

⁴⁵ David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel—you have defied him. ⁴⁶ Today, the Lord will hand you over to me. Today, I’ll strike you down, remove your head, and give the corpses^[j] of the Philistine camp to the birds of the sky and the wild creatures of the earth. Then all the world will know that Israel has a God, ⁴⁷ and this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s. He will hand you over to us.”

⁴⁸ When the Philistine started forward to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet the Philistine. ⁴⁹ David put his hand in the bag, took out a stone, slung it, and hit the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown to the ground. ⁵⁰ David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone. David overpowered the Philistine and killed him without having a sword. ⁵¹ David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword, pulled it from its sheath, and used it to kill him. Then he cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they fled. ⁵² The men of Israel and Judah rallied, shouting their battle cry, and chased the Philistines to the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron.^[k] Philistine bodies were strewn all along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.

⁵³ When the Israelites returned from the pursuit of the Philistines, they plundered their camps. ⁵⁴ David took Goliath’s^[l] head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put Goliath’s weapons in his own tent.

^55 [m] When Saul had seen David going out to confront the Philistine, he asked Abner the commander of the army, “Whose son is this youth, Abner?”

“Your Majesty, as surely as you live, I don’t know,” Abner replied.

⁵⁶ The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is!”

⁵⁷ When David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand. ⁵⁸ Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?”

“The son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem,” David answered.

David had made a name for himself among the Israelites as we read in 1 Samuel 18: ⁶ As the troops were coming back, when David was returning from killing the Philistine, the women came out from all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing with tambourines, with shouts of joy, and with three-stringed instruments. ⁷ As they danced, the women sang:

Saul has killed his thousands,
but David his tens of thousands.

⁸ Saul was furious and resented this song. “They credited tens of thousands to David,” he complained, “but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?” ⁹ So Saul watched David jealously from that day forward.

Jealousy spells trouble. David was loyal to King Saul even though King Saul sought to do harm to David. King Saul was killed, and David became King of Israel.

Keep in mind that David was a man after GOD’S own heart.

David became King of Israel through the events of life playing out.

Life was good until King David decided to change his routine Spring schedule as we read in 2 Samuel 11:1 In the spring when kings march out to war, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem.

King David decided to remain in Jerusalem. A change in the routine.

Satan works 24/7 and as we read in 2 Samuel 11: ² One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. ³ So David sent someone to inquire about her, and he said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite?” ^[a]

⁴ David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. Now she had just been purifying herself from her uncleanness. Afterward, she returned home. ⁵ The woman conceived and sent word to inform David, “I am pregnant.”

⁶ David sent orders to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hethite.” So, Joab sent Uriah to David. ⁷ When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab and the troops were doing and how the war was going. ⁸ Then he said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So, Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king followed him. ⁹ But Uriah slept at the door of the palace with all his master’s servants; he did not go down to his house.

¹⁰ When it was reported to David, “Uriah didn’t go home,” David questioned Uriah, “Haven’t you just come from a journey? Why didn’t you go home?”

It breaks your heart when you see the loyalty of Uriah.

David sinned in a number of ways and did not want to own what he had done. GOD punished King David.

Yet, David was a man after GOD’S own heart.

This is a message to all of us as chosen and “Spirit- born” Christians.

1 Peter 5:8

Christian Standard Bible

⁸ Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

A roaring lion is a hungry lion and that is the devil/Satan.

Satan seeks whom he can devour, and he loves to pounce upon those seeking to be and remaining in right relationship with JESUS as they journey through life.

When your thought life/desires/actions/notions are changing, it is time to talk with someone you can trust or seek help when you go through times of Spiritually unhealthy thoughts or actions.

Don’t fall for the thought “I can manage this.” Don’t count on it. Satan is a deceiver, and his game is to compromise and destroy all who walk with JESUS.

Keep in mind, as a Christian, 1 John 4: ⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one (JESUS) who is in you is greater than the one (Satan/Devil) who is in the world.

That sounds solid. Keep in your mind that we live in a body of flesh and Satan knows how to entice.

Get a trusted person to go through times like these with you and pray with you and seek counseling.

Mid-life crisis can come into any life and wreak havoc.

Blessings!!!