Praise God for His Blessings

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Matthew 6:33 NKJV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

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This Week’s Theme: Praise God for His Blessings

Memory Verse: Matthew 6:33 “33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

This Week’s Word is Blessings: Spiritual and material benefits given by God to be enjoyed. Blessing the name of God is also the appropriate response of believers to all that God has done for them.

1 Samuel chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Contents: The vow of Hannah and the birth of Samuel.

Characters: God, Eli, Elkhanah, Hannah, Samuel, Peninnah.

Conclusion: Prayer is heart’s ease to a gracious soul. If we seek on the basis of God’s glory (v. 11) we shall be confident that we do not seek in vain. Prayer smoothes the countenance (v. 18).

Key Word: Bitterness, v. 10.

Strong Verses: 17, 27, 28.

Striking Facts: True prayer may only be offered on the grounds of the sacrifice (v. 3). By Christ’s offering, not only is atonement made for sin, but the audience and acceptance of our prayers is obtained for us. In all our supplications, we must have an eye to the Great Sacrifice.

1 Samuel chapter 2

1 Samuel 2:22–25 NKJV

22 Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 23 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. 24 No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the Lord’s people transgress. 25 If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?” Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the Lord desired to kill them.

1 Samuel 2:27–35 NKJV

27 Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house? 28 Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire? 29 Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?’ 30 Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. 31 Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. 32 And you will see an enemy in My dwelling place, despite all the good which God does for Israel. And there shall not be an old man in your house forever. 33 But any of your men whom I do not cut off from My altar shall consume your eyes and grieve your heart. And all the descendants of your house shall die in the flower of their age. 34 Now this shall be a sign to you that will come upon your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die, both of them. 35 Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever.

CHAPTER TWO

Contents: Hannah’s prophetic prayer. Evil sons of Eli. Samuel in the tabernacle. The warning to Eli.

Characters: God, Hannah, Eli, Samuel, Hophni, Phinehas, Elkanah, a prophet.

Conclusion: Nothing is more provoking to God than the profanation of sacred things and men serving their lusts with the offerings of the Lord.

Those who allow and countenance their children in an evil way by not using their authority to restrain and punish them, involve themselves in their guilt and may be expected to be cast off from God’s service.

Key Word: Evil sons, v. 23.

Strong Verses: 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 30.

Striking Facts: v. 35. This had its full accomplishment in the priesthood of Christ, that faithful High Priest raised up of God when the Levitical priesthood was cast aside, who in all things did His Father’s mind, and for whom God builds a sure house, built on a rock so that the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.

1 Samuel chapter 3

1 Samuel 3:1–10 NKJV

1 Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. 2 And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, 3 and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, 4 that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” 5 So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down. 6 Then the Lord called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.) 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”

CHAPTER THREE

Contents: Samuel becomes Jehovah’s prophet-priest.

Characters: God, Samuel, Eli.

Conclusion: A child may have an ear for God’s call; a mind for God’s service and a message for God’s bidding, for God will not be without a mouthpiece even though the ordained priesthood be deaf to His voice.

Key Word: Called, v. 4.

Strong Verses: 10, 18, 19.

Striking Facts: God’s ministers must nourish a holy sensitiveness to sacred things, or callousness will lead them to some sin for which God will be compelled to lay them aside. (v. 13).

1 Samuel chapter 4

1 Samuel 4:1–4 NKJV

1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines, and encamped beside Ebenezer; and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. 2 Then the Philistines put themselves in battle array against Israel. And when they joined battle, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men of the army in the field. 3 And when the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Shiloh to us, that when it comes among us it may save us from the hand of our enemies.” 4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

1 Samuel 4:11 NKJV

11 Also the ark of God was captured; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

CHAPTER FOUR

Contents: Ark taken by Philistines.

Characters: God, Eli, Hophni, Phinehas, his wife, Ichabod.

Conclusion: One may go forth with a Bible under the arm and a shout upon the lips and yet not have God Himself. Many who have estranged themselves from the vitals of religion putting their confidence in the rituals of religion, find themselves with only a form of godliness without the power thereof.

Key Word: Ark taken, vv. 11, 17.

Strong Verses: 22.

Striking Facts: Farewell, all in this world, if the ark, the token of Christ’s presence with us, be lost.

1 Samuel chapter 5

1 Samuel 5:1–6 NKJV

1 Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. 3 And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again. 4 And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon’s torso was left of it. 5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day. 6 But the hand of the Lord was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and He ravaged them and struck them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory.

1 Samuel 5:11 NKJV

11 So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go back to its own place, so that it does not kill us and our people.” For there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

CHAPTER FIVE

Contents: Ark of God a curse to Philistines.

Characters: God.

Conclusion: Sacred signs are not things that God is tied to or that man can trust to for blessing. His presence may be a savour of life unto life or of death unto death.

Key Word: Hand of the Lord, vv. 6, 9, 11.

Strong Verses: 6.

Striking Facts: Those who contend with God, His ark and the followers of His Beloved Son will invariably be ruined at last.

1 Samuel chapter 6

1 Samuel 6:1 NKJV

1 Now the ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months.

1 Samuel 6:13 NKJV

13 Now the people of Beth Shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted their eyes and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.

1 Samuel 6:20 NKJV

20 And the men of Beth Shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? And to whom shall it go up from us?”

CHAPTER SIX

Contents: Ark brought to Joshua.

Characters: God.

Conclusion: The Word of God in the hands of the world brings them condemnation (v. 2) causing them to seek to get rid of it. By refusing to part with their sins, sinners but lengthen out their own miseries (v. 4).

Key Word: Ark, v. 1.

Strong Verses: 13, 20.

Striking Facts: v. 13. The return of the ark (token of God’s presence) and the revival of holy ordinances after days of restraint and trouble must be a matter of great joy to Christians. We must reverently use the tokens of God’s grace through Christ or we will be made to sink under the tokens of His displeasure (v. 19).

1 Samuel chapter 7

1 Samuel 7:2–4 NKJV

2 So it was that the ark remained in Kirjath Jearim a long time; it was there twenty years. And all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. 3 Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.

1 Samuel 7:7–8 NKJV

7 Now when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel had gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 So the children of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

1 Samuel 7:17 NKJV

17 But he always returned to Ramah, for his home was there. There he judged Israel, and there he built an altar to the Lord.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Contents: Ark brought to house of Abinadab. Revival of Mizpah. Victory at Eben-ezer.

Characters: God, Samuel, Eleazar, Abinadab.

Conclusion: When we are truly sensible that by sin we have provoked God to withdraw from us and that we are undone if we continue in that state, if we make a solemn business of returning to God we may be assured we are on the way to a renewed prosperity and deliverance.

Key Word: Return, v. 3.

Strong Verses: 3, 8, 12.

Striking Facts: v. 12. The Christian should, as he passes along, set up his Ebenezers by which he will be reminded that “hitherto the Lord hath helped him” and by which he will give all the glory of his victories to God and His Son Jesus Christ.

1 Samuel chapter 8

1 Samuel 8:5–7 NKJV

5 and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.

1 Samuel 8:9 NKJV

9 Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.”

1 Samuel 8:22 NKJV

22 So the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed their voice, and make them a king.” And Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man go to his city.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Contents: Israel demands a king; theocracy rejected.

Characters: God, Samuel, his sons, Joel, Abiajah.

Conclusion: When God’s people will not accept His best for them, they will get the best they can be persuaded to take and, with the answer to their selfish prayers, will receive also an added judgment.

Key Word: King, vv. 5, 19.

Strong Verses: 7, 9, 18.

Striking Facts: v. 20. For a professed Christian to want to live like the world means not only that he is displeasing Christ, but will at last find himself a dupe.

It was God’s will that Israel should have a king but in His own time. He must come of the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10). Because of Judah’s sin (Gen. 38, Deut. 23:2) his line was prohibited from office for ten generations. David is found to be the first one to satisfy these conditions. (Matt. 1).

1 Samuel chapter 9

1 Samuel 9:16–17 NKJV

16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.” 17 So when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, “There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people.”

CHAPTER NINE

Contents: Saul chosen king.

Characters: God, Samuel, Saul, his servant, Kish.

Conclusion: The wise God serves very great and certain purposes by seemingly small and casual affairs. Let us therefore remember that promotions come not by chance and that faithfulness and humility on the path of present duty are the key to exaltation at the hands of God.

Key Word: Saul, v. 2.

Strong Verses: 21, 25, 27.

Striking Facts: v. 24. Note the suggestiveness of the dish set before Saul. The shoulder denotes strength; the breast which went with it denotes affection. Let all who are called to minister to Christ’s people be reminded that a great responsibility is upon their shoulders and that the people should be dear to their bosom.

1 Samuel chapter 10

1 Samuel 10:1 NKJV

1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: “Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance?

1 Samuel 10:9 NKJV

9 So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day.

1 Samuel 10:6–7 NKJV

6 Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 7 And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you.

1 Samuel 10:24 NKJV

24 And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?” So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!”

CHAPTER TEN

Contents: Saul anointed king.

Characters: God, Holy Spirit, Samuel, Saul, his uncle.

Conclusion: Whom God calls He qualifies. When God works in us by His Spirit, it serves to confirm faith and furnish proof of a divine commission, v. 9.

Key Word: Anointed, v. 1.

Strong Verses: 6, 7, 24.

Striking Facts: The sacred unctions point to the Great Messiah, the anointed One who was anointed with the oil of the Spirit without measure, above all priests or princes of earth.

v. 19. Their obstinacy was a pressage of their rejecting Christ, in the rejecting of whom they cast off God that He should not reign over them.

1 Samuel chapter 11

1 Samuel 11:1 NKJV

1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.”

1 Samuel 11:6 NKJV

6 Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news, and his anger was greatly aroused.

1 Samuel 11:13 NKJV

13 But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has accomplished salvation in Israel.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Contents: Saul’s victories at Jabesh-gilead. Kingdom renewed at Gilgal.

Characters: God, Holy Spirit, Saul, Samuel, Nahash.

Conclusion: Unless the Christian has forsaken his covenant with God, there is no occasion for his courting a covenant with the world by compromise. Through our King, we may have the victory.

Key Word: Compromise (covenant) rejected, vv. 1, 13.

Strong Verses: 6, 13.

Striking Facts: The right eye is the eye of faith. The left eye was covered with the shield. By the compromise they would be unfitted to fight. Thus Satan seeks to cripple the follower of Christ in service. A compromising saint is always blind in one eye.

1 Samuel chapter 12

1 Samuel 12:13–15 NKJV

13 “Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen and whom you have desired. And take note, the Lord has set a king over you. 14 If you fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God. 15 However, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you, as it was against your fathers.

1 Samuel 12:19–20 NKJV

19 And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.” 20 Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.

1 Samuel 12:22–25 NKJV

22 For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Contents: Samuel’s proclamation of the kingdom. Deliverances of God rehearsed. The sign of thunder and ruin.

Characters: God, Samuel.

Conclusion: Religion has reason on its side (v. 7) which demonstrates that obedience to God is the happiness of men and disobedience to God is the ruin of men.

Key Word: Reason (counsel), v. 7.

Strong Verses: 14, 15, 22–25.

Striking Facts: v. 22. Had God chosen us on our good merits, we might fear He would cast us off for our bad merits, but choosing us in Christ before the foundation of the world, for His name’s sake, He cannot lose us.

Keith Brooks, Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the Old Testament (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009), 57–59.Actions speak louder than words, name the Christians you will tell your sins to and those who you will look to for accountability