Three & One

Samuel, dies. David would have become a murderer if it weren’t for the wisdom and intercession of a courageous woman named Abigail. Saul continues to pursue David even after his teary request for a covenant. And, Jesus promises power with the promised Holy Spirit.

David flees from Saul hides in a cave. All the distressed, indebted and discontented gather to him there and he becomes their leader. Saul’s insecure insanity reaches new lows. And, Jesus restores Peter in a meaningful and masterful way.

Saul persecutes David. Jonathan helps David. David starts to run from Saul. Jesus defeats death, by rising from the dead, appears to Mary Magdalene, appears to the apostles and appears especially to Thomas.

David is anointed as king. A distressing spirit is sent to Saul. David takes on the greatest Philistine fighter, in the name of the Lord. Saul starts to resent David. And, after Jesus was tried He was beaten, crucified, died and was buried.

Saul presumes to be a priest, offering an unlawful sacrifice. Jonathan takes on the Philistines with only his armor bearer. Saul makes a series of foolish oaths and his incomplete obedience cost him the kingdom. And Jesus is betrayed, arrested and tried.

Saul is anointed king. Saul is proclaimed king. Samuel addresses the nation at Saul’s coronation. And, Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples and for US.

Samuel shows Israel how to truly seek God. Their humility is short lived. They eventually ask for a king, rejecting God as their current King. Saul is chosen as king. And, Jesus concludes the teaching portion of the time He had with His apostles before His betrayal.

Israel tries to use God like a magic amulet. God refuses to be used that way. The glory of the Lord departs from Israel. The Tabernacle is taken. God disrupts the enemies of Israel on His own. The tabernacle returns on its own. And, Jesus continues teach on what it means to abide in Him.

A broken heart, bitterness of soul, a vow, an answer, an open womb and a baby boy. A gift given back to God to serve God, to minister to God, to be a prophet of God, Samuel. And Jesus, pours out His heart for His apostles in their last meal together.

The Kinsman-Redeemer, the conflict, another thread in the scarlet thread of redemption leading up to our Savior and Jesus does what is reserved for the lowest of slaves as an example.

Tragedy from compromising your convictions, a courageous daughter-in-law, bundles fall on purpose, the kinsman redeemer and Jesus teaches on “unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”

Idolatry, immorality and civil war, all a result of doing what is right in your own eyes, indifferent to what is right in the eyes of God and Jesus is angry at death and does something about it.

Samson is deceived by Delilah. God mercifully makes Samson strong, one last time. A man named Micah makes up his own religion.  And, Jesus is THE Good Shepherd.

Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. Disobedience, discipline, despair and deliverance, by the hand of a man named Samson, a conflicted man.  And, Jesus heals a man born blind physically AND spiritually.

Then the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, testing the limits of the mercy of the Lord. Jephthah a most unlikely judge is enlisted in the Lord’s service to deliver the Lord’s people. And, an adulteress faces the Light of the world.

Impossible odds from man’s perspective made even worse by God so that He would get all the glory. Abimelech appoints himself by slaughtering seventy of his family. And, Jesus is inspected by the skeptics, including His own brothers.

Two women willing to take the lead, a jug of milk, a hammer, a tent peg and a defeated foe. A song of gratefulness to God.  Gideon is enlisted in the Lord’s service. And, The Bread of Life miraculously feeds five thousand.

A house divided starts to wobble, The Angel of the Lord makes an appearance to warn, but instead Israel starts the slippery cycle of sin, desperation, deliverance and right back to sin again, and again, and again. And, Jesus gives an impossible command.

The Eastern tribes return to their land and erect an altar on their side that almost starts a war, Joshua gathers the people for a farewell address challenging them to courageous obedience and a Samaritan woman meets her Messiah.