By Al R. Hodges
Retired IMB Missionary

Focal Passage: I Samuel 16:4-13

Saul had been chosen as Israel’s first king, but had failed miserably as he repeatedly disobeyed God.  God rejected him as king, and revealed to Samuel that He would choose another man to be king, a man after His own heart (I Samuel 13:14). The new king was not immediately identified, and Saul continued to reign. Only God knew who, when, and how the transition to the new king would take place. In His perfect timing, God called the Prophet Samuel into action. It was a dangerous assignment to anoint a new king while there was a sitting king. God told Samuel to go to Bethlehem and anoint as king one of Jesse’s sons (I Samuel 16:1). Samuel was obedient to God’s call, even though he knew he would be risking his life (16:2).  God gave him instructions to go to Bethlehem and organize a sacrifice (worship), specifically inviting Jesse’s family. Samuel was to anoint a son of Jesse whom God would reveal ( vv. 2-3). [Read more…]

By Al R. Hodges
Retired IMB Missionary

Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 15:7-15, 22-23

In I Samuel chapters 13-14 we see over time that Saul fought the Philistines and established his reign over Israel. Despite the fact that he stood head and shoulders taller than the average man, his heart lacked complete loyalty to God. At times, he acted foolishly and seemed to have allowed success to go to his head (ch. 13:9-13; ch. 14:28-30). When Saul appropriated for himself the role of priest in offering a sacrifice to the Lord, Samuel confronted him with his sin and told him of God’s judgment. “Your kingdom will not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart …” (ch. 13:14). Even though judgment was pronounced on Saul, God still sent him on a special assignment. He was to annihilate the Amalekites, bringing God’s judgment on them for their attack on the Israelites years before (Exodus 17:14; I Samuel 15:1-3). [Read more…]

By Al R. Hodges
Retired IMB Missionary

Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 12:12-22

Do you fear the Lord? A healthy respect for our Creator is a good thing which should motivate us to worship and obey Him. The Israelites were involved in a cycle of fearing the Lord, then rebelling against Him, then experiencing His judgment through the attack of their enemies. When they were beaten, they repented and called on the Lord. The Lord then provided a judge to deliver them. Toward the end of Samuel’s lifetime, the elders of Israel got together and proposed a “better plan.” They insisted on having a king to reign over them instead of God. This was a sinful affront to the sovereignty of God over them (I Samuel 8:7).

Saul was chosen as Israel’s first king, and Samuel convened the people for a meeting.  He reviewed for them how God had always taken care of them, yet in a crisis where they should have turned to God, they insisted on having a king. Rather than coming to God, they had distanced themselves from God (v. 12). [Read more…]

By Al R. Hodges
Retired IMB Missionary

Focal Passage:  1 Samuel 8:4-9, 19-22

I Samuel, chapters 8-11, provide the account of how Israel transitioned from being led by judges into a monarchy led by a king.  Judges were used by God as national leaders for the 12 tribes of Israel. However, there came a time when they wanted to be like the nations surrounding them. They demanded a king.

Samuel had been a very good judge, but he was growing old. His two sons that he had hoped would replace him chose to live for personal gain, even to the point of taking bribes and perverting justice (I Samuel 8:1-3). The elders of Israel were concerned for national leadership. They approached Samuel with two problems and a proposed solution. Samuel was old, and would soon die. His sons had proven themselves unfit to succeed him. Therefore, “make us a king, like all the other nations have” (I Samuel 8:5). [Read more…]

By Al R. Hodges
Retired IMB Missionary

Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 5:1-6; 6:11-16

God was working to reveal His holiness and power to the people of Israel.  The house of Eli had been rejected as God’s priests. Times were changing. The Philistines were attacking. Chaos and confusion were the order of the day.

Israel was losing a battle with the Philistines. They brought the ark of the covenant into the battle, thinking God would help them win. That day Eli’s two sons were killed, and the ark was captured. When Eli heard of it, he died (I Samuel 4:1-18). [Read more…]

By Al R. Hodges
Retired IMB Missionary

Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 3: 1-10, 17-21

Samuel was a boy of about 12 when he heard God’s call. Youth is the best time for a person to hear God’s voice.  As a boy, he ministered to the Lord in the tabernacle by helping Eli, the old priest (I Samuel 3:1).  He probably swept the floors or did other chores. When children are in church, their heart is more apt to hear and obey God when He calls. [Read more…]

Editor’s Note: The first paragraph of this lesson was incorrectly edited when it first appeared. The following version is now correct.

By Al R. Hodges
Retired IMB Missionary

Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 1:10-18, 26-28

Elkanah had two wives.  Hannah had no children, while Peninnah had several (vs. 1-2). Every year Elkanah and his wives would travel from their home town to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Interestingly, vs. 3 says “Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.”

Hannah’s experience in praying for a son provides inspiration for us even today.  “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”  Hannah was desperate to have a son.  The nation Israel had also fallen on desperate times. [Read more…]

By Ken R. Speakman
Member, Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory

Focal Passage:  Acts 12:7-12, 16-19

In the first century, the most evil family in the civilized world was known as the Herods. They held the highest political offices in the land, influenced kingdoms, and conquered empires. Herod the Great reigned for 40 years and was on the throne when Jesus Christ was born. When he learned the Wise Men had kept the discovery of Christ a secret, he slaughtered every Jewish boy who was 2 years old and under. His son and their sons were known as evil, immoral men.

Acts 12 opens with Herod Agrippa persecuting believers in the church, which pleased the Jews. He killed the apostle James, and Peter is in prison awaiting execution. An angel appeared and Peter’s chains fell off and the doors opened before him. When Peter realized he was not dreaming, he went to Mary’s house (v. 12). [Read more…]

By Ken R. Speakman
Member, Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory

Focal Passage: Acts 9:36-43

As we continue our study of Acts 9, we find Peter performing two miracles – he heals Aeneas and raises Dorcas from the dead. During the events of Saul’s conversion, Peter has been engaged in an itinerant ministry with John (Acts 8:25), and finds himself visiting the believers in Lydda, a city close to Jerusalem.  It’s possible this area had been evangelized by converts at Pentecost, or by believers who had been scattered during the great persecution. Philip could have ministered there when leaving the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:40). [Read more…]

By Ken R. Speakman
Member, Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory

Focal Passage: Acts 9:3-9, 15-20

In Acts, chapter 9, the Scripture focuses on a zealous young Pharisee named Saul. He is mentioned in chapter 8 as the young man who guarded the robes of those who stoned Stephen. Saul had studied under the brilliant Pharisee scholar Gamaliel. Gamaliel was convinced that the apostles should be left alone (5:34). Saul disagreed and considered them a threat to Judaism and felt they were a blasphemy against the God of Abraham. Saul felt Christians must be exterminated and “The Way” (the earliest designation for Christians) stamped out.  Chapter 9 opens with, “Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.” [Read more…]