Joshua – Page 2 – Old Testament Survey

2 Samuel 3

Verse one gives the ending of the story of the transfer of the kingdom from the house of Saul to the house of David (2 Samuel 1-4). Ish-bosheth’s (or Abner’s) reign will weaken to the point that David’s reign, which is growing stronger, prevails.

2 Samuel 3

David was a polygamist. This chapter introduces his seven wives as does 1 Chronicles 3.1-4. His family tree is interesting to peruse. His six sons are mentioned, but not his daughter Tamar whose brother was Adonijah. These children will cause David much grief as the story unfolds in 2 Samuel. As we continue our studies, we will encounter one of the most dysfunctional families in history.

Abner is still in control in this chapter until his death. He is accused of attempting to become king and removing Ish-bosheth by sleeping with Saul’s concubine. This will be explained further when we get to 1 Kings 1 where the same thing happens with David and Adonijah.

In this accusation by Ish-bosheth, Abner transfers his loyalty to David. He promises to unite Israel under David from Dan, which is in the far north, to Beersheba, which is in the far south. David and Abner came to terms to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul to the house of David. The first term was that David would receive his first wife Michal back into his house. This was done to strengthen David’s claim to the throne.

This chapter unfolds fear in the lives of each character mentioned. Abner feared losing control, Ish-bosheth feared Abner, Paltiel feared Abner and losing Michal, Abner feared Joab, the people feared the Philistines.

All these happenings with Abner were while Joab was away. If you remember from the last chapter, Abner killed Joab’s brother Asahel. Joab was seeking revenge and was angered with David for allowing Abner to leave. He disguised it as fear for David’s life and kingdom. Under false pretenses, Joab has Abner meet him by a cistern just north of Hebron. This is important because Hebron was a city of refuge (Joshua 20.7). The men could not seek revenge on Abner in Hebron, so the took him just outside the city. This was far enough away for Joab and his brother, Abishai, to meet with and revenge the death of their brother. They killed Abner in the same manner that he killed their brother, a wound to the stomach. As David hears of the matter, he washes his hands of the deed proclaiming innocence (Deuteronomy 21.6-9).

The nation and the king mourn the loss of Abner. David does so because Abner was a prince, part of God’s anointed under Saul’s kingdom. Just as David mourned and eulogized Saul and Jonathan in chapter 1, so he does here. David proclaims his nephews are too violent for him. Yet, they are considered the three heros of his army. The curse on their family is worthy of discussion. However, it will wait for another day.

Where do you find your strength? David found it in the Lord, Abner found it in politics, Paltiel found it in Michal (a claim to the throne), Ish-bosheth found it in his title, and Joab found it in anger. Whom are you imitating today?

2 Samuel 1

Today we begin the second book of Samuel. Where 1 Samuel was the life and ministry of Samuel, the rise and fall of Saul, and the rise of David, 2 Samuel is the life of David from his reign until the time just before his death. It covers approximately 40 years (1010-970 B. C.). Second Samuel also begins precisely where 1 Samuel left the story. In the original Hebrew the two books are one. Our Bibles follow the pattern of the Septuagint in separating the book in two parts.

2 Samuel 1

David returned to Ziklag after pursuing, overtaking, and defeating the Amalekites who had destroyed Ziklag and taken the people as prisoners (1 Samuel 30). David did not know what had happened at Gilboa and Saul’s death (1 Samuel 31). When the Amalekite (who traveled from Gilboa to Ziklag, about 90 miles), remember Saul was to have destroyed all the Amalekites but did not (1 Samuel 15), came to him with the news of Saul’s death, David was surprised. It seems as those this man was seeking the approval of David for killing Saul, thinking he might be rewarded with a post or other honor. The man reported that Saul asked him to kill him. Remember that Saul did ask his armorbearer to kill him. He refused to do the deed because it was his job to keep the king alive. The Amalekite, in seeking honor, said that he did what Saul requested. He then displayed Saul’s crown as proof of his words.

David, who was unwilling to kill Saul when given the opportunity (1 Samuel 24 and 1 Samuel 26), mourned the loss of his pursuer and his king, and his friend. David then killed the man who reported and falsified his testimony for killing the Lord’s anointed (2 Samuel 4.10).

David then writes a song, “The Song of the Bow” because Saul died by the hand of an archer and the tribe of Benjamin were well-known archers. It is contained in the lost book of Jashar (Joshua 10.13). This would be a great find for historical reading. The song is not included in the book of Psalms. Yet, it does read like a psalm.

David still regarded Saul as God’s anointed and sought to honor him as such. He honors his friend, Jonathan, in the same manner. These are the mighty and noble of Israel. They will no longer grace the land nor the people. David is mourning his king (some would consider Saul as David’s enemy) and his best friend.

When we hear of the demise of someone who was out to get us, do we mourn or rejoice? Where is our heart in this? Read Proverbs 24.17 and Romans 12.14-16 for God’s instruction on what to do in these situations.

Saul, in retrospect, is the epitome of 1 Corinthians 10.12 and a warning to each of us. Saul began standing tall and fell in dishonor. When we think we can handle life by ourselves without taking God’s Word into consideration, we are bound to fall. First Corinthians 4.1-2 reminds us the measure of our success is not our talent but our faithfulness to what God has commanded.

1 Samuel 27.1-28.2

Ever get tired of doing what you are doing, thinking that you are wasting your time, always being used and abused, and never finding a moment’s rest? Well, welcome to life, even life for David.

1 Samuel 27.1-28.2 is our study for today and the first verse reminds me of our lives and an episode of Batman. In the cartoon, Batman is slumping over the Bat-Computer, Alfred walks into the Bat-Cave, and Batman turns to him and says, “Alfred, I’m tired.” He wanted to quit. We want to quit. David did quit. He decided to quit being betrayed by people in his tribe, his clan; he quit running from Saul’s treachery. He walked away. When he did this, he sinned. Read 1 Samuel 27 and see the things David did when he again placed himself under the authority of King Achish of Gath. The sin may not be the destruction of the cities because God had already ordered their destruction, which was not obeyed (Exodus 17.14; Joshua 13:13; 1 Samuel 15.2, 3). The sin occurred when David did not believe the God who delivered him from Goliath was unable to deliver him from Saul. David sought the grace of Achish (1 Samuel 27.5), not the grace of God. Do you consider what the Lord has done when contemplating what He will do? David attempted to save his own life instead of trusting God to help him. In doing this, he deceived, killed, and lied. He forgot the truth of Psalm 27, which he penned prior to this event.

David goes to Gath with his soldiers and their families. He takes with him Ahinoam and Abigail, two of his wives. David’s plan to have Saul cease his relentless pursuit worked. David deceives Achish. Achish gives him the area of Ziklag, which originally belonged to David’s tribe (Joshua 15.20-31) and was far enough from Gath (15 miles) for Achish not to check up on him. David allows Achish to believe that David is not for Israel but for the Philistines. He allows Achish to think David is destroying Israelite towns when he is destroying encampments of some enemies of Israel. David’s deception is so good that Achish makes David his body guard for life (1 Samuel 28.2). All this duplicity will place David in a quandary as the story in 1 Samuel unfolds.

What plans are you making that forget who God is and what He has commanded you to do? What sin and what deception do you find yourself in today? Have you considered the consequences of these actions or thoughts? What should you do about them?

Psalm 140

Psalm 140 brings us to another Psalm of deliverance. It seems David was always being pursued. When the historical context, 1 Samuel 19-27, is read the poetry of David begins to make sense.

Psalm 140 brings us to another Psalm of deliverance and the last imprecatory psalm. It seems David was always being pursued. When the historical context, 1 Samuel 19-27, is read the poetry of David begins to make sense.

Verses 1-3-David is stating that many people are attacking him both physically and verbally. He then asks us to pause and consider these phrases when he writes Selah. What wars are being waged against you? Are you standing righteous in the midst of them?

Verses 4-5-David is aware of the plans those who seek to destroy him have. Selah. How aware are you of the plans Satan has set for you? We are to be aware of the schemes of Satan (Ephesians 6.10-12 and 2 Corinthians 2.10-11). John reminds us that Satan is not our only enemy, seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5.6-11), we need to be aware of “the world, the flesh, and the devil” (1 John 2.15-17). Again, how aware are you of those that seek to destroy your faith, your testimony, even your very life?

Verses 6-8-David prays for the God of the Universe to deliver and protect him. Selah. When persecutions come, and they will (1 Peter 2.18-20), to whom or what do you turn? Many people turn to sex, drugs, alcohol, music, or other things. We are commanded to turn to Him, which is only logical because He is the Author and Creator of life (Psalm 139). If He is unable to help (Numbers 11.23 and Isaiah 59.1), which He is more than capable, then nothing or no one else can.

Verses 9-11-David’s prayer is that God annihilates his enemies. Are we willing to pray this against our enemies: our own sinful desires (Matthew 16.24-26), the influence of our friends (1 Corinthians 15.33), and the influence of this world (2 Corinthians 10.4-5)? Are we willing to tear down our idols and choose to serve Him alone (Joshua 24.14-28)?

Verses 12-13-David understood the work of God in this world and how He desires to help those who are helpless. In order for us to truly understand this work of God we need to understand that we are the ones who are helpless. When we understand all that He has done for us the natural response will be to praise and thank Him before those in our area of influence. When was the last time you stood up to praise and thank Him where you are in your area of influence?

Psalm 31

Psalm 31 presents another Psalm of David during the time of fleeing from Saul that we have been read about in 1 Samuel 21-24. A brief reading of this psalm presents th early flight of David from Saul. However, others think it is more closely related to when his son Absalom was in rebellion toward the end of David’s life. The text reads better in light of En-gedi and Adullam early in David’s life (verse 2).

Verses 1-2-David is begging God to vindicate him, to listen to him, to rescue him. During this time of turmoil, David knew to whom he should look for protection. The caves are temporary but God is eternal.

Verses 3-5-David realized the truth purpose of God allowing the circumstances befalling David. That purpose is to bring glory to God. David knows that God is his Savior. He knows that he has been redeemed spiritually by God and realizes God can deliver him physically too.

Verses 6-8-Once again David speaks of God’s deliverance and how God has placed him in the straight place due to David’s trust in God.

Verses 9-10-David uses the same imagery of his body wasting away due to his adultery with Bathsheba in Psalm 32. If we could grab hold of what sin does to the body as well as the spirit, we might be less inclined to sin.

Verses 11-13-David doesn’t seem to be able to trust anyone. Who in his midst or around him is working for Saul? His neighbors are his enemies.

Verses 14-18-He turns his attention to the truth of whom God is and of His power. When we are surrounded, we need to remember to focus on God and who He is not the situation we find ourselves in at the moment. Do your circumstances overwhelm you? Well, God is greater than your circumstances (1 John 4.4).

Verses 19-20-God is sovereign and holds complete power.

Verses 21-22-When we cry out to Him, He listens (verses 1 and 22). But, we need to cry out to Him. When we think He is far from us, He is merely a whisper away.

Verses 23-24-This is a call for the saints to love God because of who He is and what He has done. Again, the motif of waiting on the Lord as we read in Psalm 27.

Our courage is only in Him for He alone is eternal and omnipotent. Where is your help coming from?

Psalm 27

Psalm 27 has no reference to time in the title. However, after reading through this Psalm, similarities to the circumstances of En-Gedi and Adullam are evident where David was being pursued by friends (verse 12) and where his family met with him (verse 10).

Psalm 27 has no reference to time in the title (cf. Psalm 102, read the study of Psalm 102). However, after reading through this Psalm, similarities to the circumstances of En-Gedi and Adullam (1 Samuel 21-24) are evident where David was being pursued by friends (verse 12) and where his family met with him (verse 10).

Verse 1-David expresses his confidence in God, even though the situation is not hopeful. We have no need to fear because God is sovereign. He allows the circumstances for His glory. When we can confidently believe that, our lives will be shaped by His purpose not our fear. Fear comes to us when we respond emotionally, without correct knowledge, to a situation. What area of your life do you have fear? What is it about God you doubt?

Verses 2-3-David expresses not fear but confidence in an omnipotent God. Do we?

Verses 4-6-David has confidence that God will allow him to be with Him in His holy temple. God will deliver him. Would that be a prayer of yours? God, bring me through this week that I may stand and praise You at church on Sunday.

Verses 7-10-David is expressing his desire to know God better. He expresses his confidence in God not in humanity because he knows people offer conditional acceptance while God offers unconditional acceptance. The reference to father and mother relates to his father and mother joining him and being sent to safety in 1 Samuel 22.3. Even though they did not reject him, they could have because they are human.

Verses 11-12-David is facing danger from those he knows due to the adversaries being false witnesses and not an enemy nation. Could this be a reference to Doeg from 1 Samuel 22? He asks for God to give him a straight path. He is approaching God and seeking God. Remember that God promises a level path to all who seek Him and not their own ways (Proverbs 3.5-6)

Verses 13-14-David maintains his hope. He knows if he waits for the Lord to do His work, all will be good. These verses should remind you of Joshua 1, Isaiah 40, and Psalm 103.

What confidence do you have in God? Is He truly God in whom we seek refuge and of whom we worship? Or, is He something less than He claims to be? Who is He in your life?

1 Samuel 16

From this point on the main character of 1 Samuel is David, mainly in his relationship with Saul. He is considered the greatest kings of the Israelites.

Have you ever thought of having children? What God would say about them? What does He say about you?

From this point on the main character of 1 Samuel is David, mainly in his relationship with Saul. He is considered the greatest kings of the Israelites. We see in chapter 15 that he is anointed by Samuel and begin his service before Saul as a musician. After his battle with Goliath and the Philistines in chapter 17, the remainder of the book shows his dealings with Saul as he lives his life as a fugitive from Saul.

David is anointed king in this chapter and enters into Saul’s court. God rejected Saul as king in chapter 15 due to his disobedience and non repentance. He then removes His Spirit from him in chapter 16. Saul’s court knew that God had rejected him and sent an evil spirit to torment him. When we are not walking by the power of God, those around us can tell something is amiss. When we refuse to repent and attempt to suppress the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, they know something is wrong. What do our words and actions show others about our lives?

God calls David as king, the rightful king, and gives to him His Spirit who indwells him from that day forward. David is from the tribe of Judah and of the town of Bethlehem. He is rightfully king by prophecy (Genesis 49.8-12) and king by character (1 Samuel 13.14 and 16.7). First Samuel 16.13 describes a man after God’s own heart. This is a man who allows God to live in and through him. First Samuel 16.18 displays how this manifested itself in David’s life.

I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite (he was in line to be king; he had heritage)
who is skillful in playing (he used his gifts to bring others closer to God and people recognized it and were able to praise God because of it)
a man of valor (he did not live in fear–see chapter 17–but trusted God to do what He promised much like Joshua believed what God said in Joshua 1 and Paul said in 2 Timothy 1.7)
a warrior (he trained himself to become better at what was expected of him–see chapter 17)
prudent in speech (he spoke wisely, without haste–James 1.19)
and a man of good presence (he was respectable and respected)
and the Lord is with him (this is the most important, God was with him because he joined God in His work. God wasn’t with David’s vision, but David was in alignment with God’s goal).

This chapter introduces David as king. The next chapter appears to be out of chronological order but is placed here to affirm David as king, as Saul’s replacement. More on that tomorrow.

How are people in your sphere of influence seeing God in you today?

1 Samuel 15

The opening verses, as many in the Old Testament, can be misunderstood. Unless we look at the passage in terms of whom God is and what He has done, verse three seems to be overkill (literally).

The opening verses, as many in the Old Testament, can be misunderstood. Unless we look at the passage in terms of whom God is and what He has done, verse three seems to be overkill (literally). However, God is punishing them for their sins. The book of Romans reminds us that there are none who are innocent and all deserve death based on rebellion against God. This would include “child and infant.” God is also judging them, specifically, for not befriending the Israelites on their journey. The latter occurred because of the former. The key in these verses (1-3) is for Saul, as God’s anointed, to “utterly destroy” the Amalekites. When we do not obey God to the letter of what He commands, we will set up ourselves for future sorrow. We will see this later in the chapter with Agag and have already seen it through Joshua and Judges.

The command God gave to Saul was to destroy all living creatures from among the Amalekites. Saul musters more than 200,000 men to battle, which shows the entirety of Israel was under his kingship by this time. He allows the Kenites to leave. They were not under God’s judgment. He allows Agag, the king, and all the animals that were healthy to survive. These were under God’s judgment. He partially follows what God commanded. This always leads to trouble.

The next verse shows God’s displeasure with Saul. Not only does Saul disobey God but he erects a monument to himself (verse 12). He then greets Samuel as if nothing wrong had happened. Samuel calls out Saul for his disobedience. Saul blames it on the soldiers then on God. He then proclaims that he followed God’s commands to the letter.

Samuel lays down God’s judgment before Saul. Saul attempts to justify himself by his actions (works do not save us). He thinks his actions are better than what God had planned. This is the basis for all our sins. We believe our plan is better than the God of the universe’s plan. Samuel provides God’s heart. Verse 22 should be committed to memory. God rejects Saul. He informs him that his sin was as bad as seeking out a witch for advice. He does this later in the book.

Saul repents. Even in his “repentance” he is blaming the people for his sins. The kingdom is now given to the unnamed rightful first king of Israel, which we will see in the next chapter. Samuel had nothing to do with Saul after that night. Samuel grieved over what happened with Saul. We should have the same heart. When in disciplining people in our sphere of influence, we should never delight in the discipline but grieve over what has happened and be in prayer for restoration. In this case, there is no restoration. When it states that God was sorry that He made Saul king, it means He also grieved over the life and work of Saul. It does not mean that He made a mistake and wanted to do it all over again.

Samuel finished the work Saul did not complete. He killed Agag. Saul must not have killed all the people of the Amalekites. A few hundred years later, in Esther 3, a descendant of Agag is mentioned whose name is Haman.

Our lack of obedience to God will come back to us in the form of discipline. Hebrews 12 reminds us that as God’s children we should expect discipline when we go against His commands. His discipline is always for restoration to fellowship with Him and His people. The consequences of our disobedience today may not come upon us quickly but may manifest themselves later in life or in our children’s life. We need to be careful, therefore, in how we live that God’s blessing rather than discipline may be found in our life and in the future for our children and for those people in our sphere of influence.

1 Samuel 10-11

How did those in your sphere of influence perceive your faith yesterday?

Today we come to the coronation and odd beginning for Saul. Before we begin these chapters, here are some observations. God chooses a tall man by this he was considered handsome. The Israelites proclaim that there is none like him. Are they judging him by his stature or by his character? Since not many people knew who he was, it appears as though the judgment was based on the outer appearance and not the inward appearance shining (Matthew 5.13-16 and Galatians 5.22-23). He was a Benjamite from Gibeah. Reread the end of Judges to recall the character of the men of that town and what happened to the Benjamites. Saul makes this city his capital.

We see in Scripture that when God does a new thing, He provides His Spirit. Although the Holy Spirit is not mentioned in this chapter, we do see that God “gave him [Saul] another heart.” Ezekiel 11.19 shows us when the Holy Spirit comes, He will give us a new heart not of stone but of flesh. When God introduces salvation in the book of Acts, the Spirit goes before the Apostles to open the eyes of the Jews, Samaritans, god-fearers, and the Gentiles to the Gospel.

A Special Note on the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts

a. The outpourings indicated that these particular people were called by God into His service.

b. The Holy Spirit indicated God’s claim on these people.

c. The initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit came on those Jews who already believed in Jesus (Acts 2).

d. A later outpouring came on the Samaritans showing the Christians in Jerusalem that these people were also a part of God’s kingdom (Acts 8).

e. Later, the Holy Spirit would be poured out on the Gentile Cornelius and those who gathered with him (Acts 10).

f. Later, the Holy Spirit came on religious people who followed John the Baptist as a sign that what they believed was now complete in Christ (Acts 19).

g. After this, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is absent from biblical literature.

Back to 1 Samuel 10. We see this is what happened with Saul as confirmation to the people that God chose him, due to the disobedience of the people (1 Samuel 10.17-19, cf. Romans 1 and how God gives us over to our sins), and as confirmation to Saul that what Samuel spoke at the beginning of chapter 10 was from God. This confirmation is prophesied in verses 1-8, fulfilled in verses 9-16, and accepted in verses 17-26.

This chapter shows that he had great promise as a king. He was humble (or shy) and loyal to his father and his work.

The chapter ends ominously with a few people rejecting his kingship and a king gouging the eyes of all Jews east of the Jordan River (Joshua reminds us of the two-and-a-half tribes who settle there–Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh). However, 7,000 men escaped with both eyes and they went to Jabesh-Gilead. This king, Nashan, in chapter 11 pursues the men who surrender to him. He accepts only if he can gouge their eye out. Saul is called to help. He is plowing a field (what a kingly duty).

Verse six tells us that the Holy Spirit came upon him. We need to understand the theology behind this statement. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit did not permanently dwell in people. He came and went, this is why David would cry out in Psalm 51 for God not to take the Spirit away. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is the guarantor of our salvation and He seals it thus never to be taken away from us.

Saul promises victory, has it and is renewed as king over all Israel with no murmurers.

Saul did great things in these chapters because of the presence of God in his life. What are we doing today that is great because of that same God who indwells us? How do people know we have been saved? What evidence is there in our lives that God lives in us? What works are we doing that manifest Him (Ephesians 2.8-10)? How is our light shining in this darkened world so that they can see God in us?

1 Samuel 3-4

After Eli is given the bad news of his children’s judgment and impending death, we again switch scenes to Samuel in the temple with Eli and God. Chapter three shows us how far gone the Israelites were. In verse one we are informed that Samuel was serving God under the training of Eli, the one who raised the children who just rebelled, and that God did not speak with people during those days. Prior to Judges, God spoke, it seems, daily to Moses and Joshua. Now, He rarely speaks. We know in these days God does not speak as He once did. This, however, is not in judgment against the world but because He finished speaking in His Son (Hebrews 1). He speaks to us daily through His Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit. His Word gives us direction and His Spirit convicts us of sin and gifts and strengthens us to carry out His work in this world. Our prayers are kind of like reporting back to the commander, talking with Dad, and pleading before our King.

However, in those days, until chapter three, there was little communication by God to His people. In this chapter and the following ones, God communicates with and through Samuel to bring hope, judgment, discipline, and a future to God’s people. God calls Samuel three times, which is significant. When God says something three times, what follows is of great importance. He calls Samuel the first two times and neither he nor the priest Eli understood what was happening. Finally, Eli realizes that God is calling Samuel. He instructs Samuel in what to do. When God calls, do we have the heart as Samuel does? “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” This third time that God called it was intimate. When God speaks a name twice it is as a father would speak to his son. He calls “Samuel, Samuel.”

God calls him to a difficult first job. He must inform his mentor of the quickly coming judgment. He obeys and Eli agrees with the judgment and relieves Samuel by telling him it is of the Lord. This is significant because of what we read in chapter four. When God judges us, are we more like Adam and Eve or Samuel and Eli? Do we blame the other or do we give the word and accept the discipline?

The end of chapter three and the beginning of chapter four stand in apposition to the opening of chapter three. God is now speaking to Israel on a regular basis, the whole of Israel knew that Samuel was God’s prophet, priest, and judge. In 1 Samuel 3.4-21 he is set aside as prophet. God called Samuel as he had called other prophets. Samuel would bring God’s word to Eli and to Israel. In 1 Samuel 3.1 he is consecrated as priest. Samuel ministered before the Lord in the temple at Shiloh. In 1 Samuel 7, we will see, he rules as “king” after the manner of the judges. Samuel did not serve as a king in Israel, but he did serve as a judge. He brought the people to God and victory over the Philistines. He was never crowned as king, but he, unlike the other judges, judged over all Israel. He also anointed Israel’s first two kings.
Chapter four the judgment comes in the defeat of the Israelites in battle, the deaths of Eli, the sons of Eli, the daughter-in-law of Eli, and the most significant loss was that of the loss of the Ark of the Covenant.

In the first few verses God’s judgment comes against Israel, Hophni and Phinehas, and the priests (the Ark being taken). The people considered the Ark as an idol; as God not a representation of His presence. Much like Samson and his hair. The Philistines also believed this. They were disheartened but became victorious because God had allowed it to occur as His judgment/discipline of His people.

After Eli’s sons are killed, the same day in battle, he receives the news. He was quite old, ninety-eight years old, he could not see, could not hear to well, and he was quite overweight. He fell backward and died. He is considered a judge in that he ruled for forty years.

Eli s daughter-in-law dies in childbirth and names her child Ichabod meaning “no glory” or “the glory has departed,” for the Ark of the Covenant had been captured by the Philistines.
In these four chapters there is quite an emotional rollercoaster ride. We have the lows and highs of Hannah, Eli, Israel, and Samuel. This is like our lives. We go through great times and hard times. What would our lives be like if we accepted direction like Samuel, plead our cause like Hannah, and accepted discipline like Eli? Would we change our way of living, our way of thinking?

Have a great day at the place God has placed you (Acts 17.26). And, remember, wherever you are the presence of the God who indwells you is there. This means the glory will never leave, although we can cover it with our sinfulness. How bright is God shining today?