When the subject of a historical account like this one tells you the reason why he will be victorious before he achieves his victory, we should probably pay attention to that right? So often when someone references David & Goliath, they frame it as if it’s about a big guy versus small fry, and the underdog wins the day because of his ingenuity. Let’s just make this clear: you and I are not David and this account is not about being brave and facing your giants. If anything, we are the cowering Israelites who cannot face our foe; we need a champion, a savior, to step forward in the power of God and rescue us from sin and death.

1 Samuel 17 - 1:02 .

1 Samuel 18 - 13:05 .

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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The Lord sends Samuel to tell King Saul that he is to wipe out the Amalekites completely, because they opposed Israel when God brought them out of Egypt. King Saul decides that he will wipe out everyone and everything, except for King Agag of the Amalekites, and, you know, all the good stuff. You can’t destroy the good stuff, right? Because of this disobedience, the Lord tells Samuel that he regrets making Saul king. Samuel rebukes King Saul, and proceeds to take care of business where Saul failed to do so. After this, the Lord sends Samuel to Jesse of Bethlehem, because he has selected one of his sons to be king in Saul’s place.

1 Samuel 15 - 1:02 .

1 Samuel 16 - 8:50 .

Psalm 88 - 13:51 .

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Israel is at war with the Philistines, and when our last reading ended, we were informed that a garrison of Philistines had taken control of the pass at Michmash. Up until this point, the Israelites had no blacksmiths and had been taking their weapons and tools to the Philistines to have them sharpened. This meant that only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons of war. Jonathan sneaks away from the camp with his armor bearer to find the Philistine garrison, and voices his trust in the Lord God on the way. The Lord not only grants Jonathan victory, he sets chaos in motion amongst the Philistines, who end up destroying each other. Later, Saul makes a rash oath that reveals how unfit he is to reign as king.

1 Samuel 14 - 1:01 .

Psalm 86 - 13:09 .

Psalm 87 - 15:18 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In our last episode, Saul had just been anointed as king by Samuel the prophet and priest of Israel. In today’s episode, he is appointed as king in Gilgal to a fuller degree, complete with sacrifices and rejoicing. Samuel gives Saul instructions to wait for him there, but when the newly minted king feels like he is pressed for time he assumes that it will be best to make the burnt offering himself. King Saul, however, is not a part of the priesthood, and while he is king, it doesn’t mean that he can do whatever he wishes, especially if it means going against the Lord’s statutes. As we’ll find out today, Saul’s tendency to pay little attention to God’s instructions has huge ramifications on his life and his reign as king.

1 Samuel 11 - 1:04 .

1 Samuel 12 - 4:19 .

1 Samuel 13 - 11:03 .

Psalm 84 - 16:06 .

Psalm 85 - 17:50 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In today’s reading, Israel asks an aging Samuel to appoint a king over them before his death. Samuel warns them about what a king would demand from them, but the people urge him all the more. Ultimately, the concern is not so much that they want a king, but that they are looking to have a human king as a source of strength, protection, and provision. All throughout their history, God has been their strength, their protection, and their provider, but they fail to trust in Him. As Samuel installs Saul as king in today’s reading, take note that it is the Lord who performs remarkably through Samuel, and it is not Samuel himself who is particularly noteworthy.

1 Samuel 8 - 1:01 .

1 Samuel 9 - 4:54 .

1 Samuel 10 - 12:04 .

Psalm 83 - 17:35 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Today, Israel goes to battle against the Philistines. They assume that if they bring out the ark of the covenant to the battlefield, that it’s presence would either oblige God to win the battle for them or that the object itself has some kind of mystical power. They are sorely mistaken, and the Philistines promptly defeat them and capture the ark. Assuming that their victory is a victory over Israel’s God, the Philistines place the ark in Dagon’s temple. Time and again, however, the Lord silently causes destruction, catastrophe and misery for the Philistines wherever the ark is taken, until finally, they become so desperate they put it on a cart and send it back where it came from.

1 Samuel 4 - 1:02 .

1 Samuel 5 - 6:07 .

1 Samuel 6 - 10:07 .

1 Samuel 7 - 15:02 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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The instructions that the Lord has given to his people concerning justice, holiness, and priesthood have all been shattered in the time of the judges. It seems like all is lost for Israel, but even here we can see foreshadows of the Christ who has yet to come. There is a woman incapable of having children who is faithful to the Lord. In His providence, kindness and mercy, the Lord raises a prophet and priest from the barren womb of this woman, who had promised the Lord that her son would serve God all the days of his life. This young boy is at home in the Lord’s service and eventually replaces sinful men and intercedes between God and His people. One day, Samuel will usher in a new kingdom, though he himself will not be king.

1 Samuel 1 – 1:02 .

1 Samuel 2 – 6:20 .

1 Samuel 3 – 15:15 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Ruth 1 - 1:01 .

Ruth 2 - 5:19 .

Ruth 3 - 10:56 .

Ruth 4 - 14:19 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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