1 Samuel 1:1-2:21, John 5:1-23, Psalm 105:37-45, Proverbs 14:28-29
Today is the seventh day of May, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian and, in case you forgot, and it’s great to be here with you today, as we move forward together, the next step forward in the Scriptures. And so, even as we reach the conclusion of a week, we are at the beginning of a brand-new book and we’re moving into some new territory.
Introduction to the Book of I Samuel:
We have been camped out in the centuries of the judges, as we move through the Book of Judges and then we read the book of Ruth, which comes from the time of Judges, which brings us to the book of first Samuel. And oddly enough, Samuel was the last judge in Israel and its Samuel that leads us to the monarchy, or the time of the monarchy. Samuel leads us to be introduced to Israel’s first king, and we will meet him in this book, his name is Saul, and Saul has plenty to teach to us about ourselves, as does King David who follows him. So, we have first and second Samuel before us. First Samuel will introduce us to Saul, second Samuel will introduce us to David and then following the two books of Samuel, we will read first Kings and second Kings about the time of the monarchy. So, a lot of the biblical scholars believe that what we are about to read, contained in the books of Samuel, were, may be recorded by three prophets and Israel, Samuel being one of them. But also, Nathan and Gad. And, interestingly enough, there wasn’t a first and second Samuel, it was all one text, and it actually gets more, a little bit more, convoluted than that because first and second Samuel and first and second Kings were all grouped together as one specific, continuous text. So, when the Hebrew Scriptures or the Old Testament as we know it, was translated out of the Hebrew language, into the Greek language, which was called the Septuagint, then the books were divided into four different books and they were known as the Books of the Kingdoms. And then later, when the Hebrew Scriptures were translated into the Latin language, which is called the Vulgate, they became the Books of the Kings. So, we have first Kings, second Kings, third Kings, and fourth Kings. So, it can get a little bit convoluted there, is that what we now know as first and second Samuel, was actually at one time first and second Kings and what was known as third and fourth Kings, is now known as first and second Kings. So, the way that we have things now, first Samuel, second Samuel, first Kings, second Kings, that came to be out of all biblical history, within the last 400 years when the King James Bible was translated into English in the year 1611. So, as we begin the book of first Samuel, we’ll get to know who Samuel is, where he came from, what his family story is, how he came to prominence, and then we’ll see why he was a respected judge in Israel. If fact, the final judge, that brings them their first king. And that is largely because everybody was doing what was right in their own eyes and there was no king in Israel, as the Book of Judges told us, over and over. Then, Samuel steps into that having heard the voice of God and been called, being called to be the prophet of God. And so, when he begins to speak on behalf of God as a prophet, that’s something historically that the Hebrew people understood, more. Like Moses was a prophet of God, who spoke on behalf of God and led the children of Israel. And so, that’s something that they understood, this direct speaking for God. And so, Samuel leads the people forward. And with that, let’s dive in. We’re reading from the Modern English Version this week. First Samuel chapter 1 verse 1 through 2 verse 21.
Prayer:
Father, we thank You for Your word and another week in your word and we thank You day-by-day, step-by-step, all that comes in through our minds and ears and flows down into our hearts and how there’s a lot in there being cultivated. And we ask, Holy Spirit, that You come, plant what we’ve learned and what we are learning into the soil of our hearts and may we collaborate when You show us the weeds, may we collaborate in pulling them out, so that we are fertile garden that yields a mighty harvest. And we thank You for this new territory that we’re moving into now with the books of Samuel. Lead us, teach us, guide us, lead us into all truth, lead us on the narrow path that leads to life, make what we read be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, we pray. In the name of Jesus, we ask. Amen.
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And that’s it for today, I’m Brian, I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here, tomorrow.
Prayer and Encouragements:
Good afternoon, good morning DAB family, this is Samone calling from Houston. And I just wanted to give a praise report. Yeah, blown away and overwhelmed. I’m sitting at my doctor’s office at my yearly physical and my niece calls and she is my sisters only child. And my sister passed away from breast cancer almost four years ago. And, three years ago, and her father died, my nieces father died before she was born. So, she’s about to be 30 this year and she’s lost her mother and she’s never known because he died before she passed. I digress. I’m sitting in my doctor’s office and she calls me and when she calls, she’s like, turn on your video and she shows me a pregnancy test. Her and her husband have been struggling with infertility for the whole marriage, which is been about 7, going on 8 years. And, a year ago they adopted a child which was also their God child. And, I kept saying to her, I believe God is going to open your womb. I believe God is going to open your womb. And He did. She found out just two days ago, she’s pregnant. And guess what, she’s almost through her first trimester. She’s 13 weeks. So, this message is for all the couples struggling with infertility. God hears your prayers; He hears your cry. And we never gave up, we were at faith. We were touching and agreeing, fasting, praying and believing God. And after seven, almost eight years of marriage and they’re young, in there 30s. He finally did it. Stay encouraged.
Hi, I’m calling from Colorado. This is my first time calling. I’ve always debated whether I should could call before, any other times. I’ve come through like a wall and like a deep depression. I’ve always contemplated calling and asking for help, but thankfully God has given me the strength in listening to all of your prayers and hearing you guys sing. It’s given me enough strength to move forward and continue. And just hearing everyone’s has given me the call to, the courage to be able to talk and finally ask for help. It’s been a tough couple of years, you know, last year I had lost my job and it’s been a financial wreck. This year, I had a miscarriage and that was really hard on me. I prayed to God and everything, He’s been able to comfort me and be there for me and thankfully he blessed me once again with a baby and I’m currently pregnant. Over the weekend I did get into a car accident so it just adds to my financial stress. And it’s just a lot going on right now with the pregnancy, the finances, trying to pay for all of my pregnancy appointments and trying to pay for all the miscarriage and all the hospital visits and now this car accident. It’s been quite a bit and I know God has given me a couple signs and a couple things I should read and focus on but I just feel like, I’m kind stuck. And I know a lot of people are in the same boat, you know, interest rates have gone up and like, it’s very difficult. But I have the confidence that everything will be better and I just want everyone to pray for me if you can. Thank you, guys, so much.
Good morning DABers, it’s Richard the Radio Station Manager. I’ve been listening over the years. I’ve been around on the phone lately. I need your help. I find myself more and more stressed about the little things but also finding the current work that I’m doing can be very stressful and I’m, instead of resting in God and understanding His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and He’s not in the earthquake and He’s not in the fire and He’s not in the tornado. He’s in the still. Those things aren’t bringing me comfort like they used to. I just, I suppose I’m reaching out to you in this time of need. I’ve got another pressing need at work and unfortunately my emotional life seems to overwhelm me. So, just asking for your prayers.
Hi, this is Victorious Soldier just calling to pray for some of the DABers. I wanna first give a high congratulations and send a prayer to my precious DABer who became a Chaplain in the National Guard. I wanted to say congratulations, praise the Lord. I couldn’t think of a much better person for it. And God knew that you for it. Father, we just ask You to bless him, we bless him everyday that they go into that office, everyday that they serve. Lord, that you would come and give him the wisdom and knowledge, you give them what they need and you guide their footsteps, Father. We thank You for blessing this precious one with the Chaplain, Father. In the name of Jesus. We just ask You to touch the other DABers that are with the lady whose son has autism and wanted to pray for that precious child. I wanted to pray for Lady of Victory, want to pray for those that are going through in their marriage, want to pray for the woman who wanted to have a baby late in time and that she got married late in time. I can say, I’m one of those and I had my first child, I was about 40. So, God is able to do anything. He done Sarah and He did me. And just be encouraged. And I pray Lord, that You bless her womb, Lord. That you bless her to provide, so bless her womb and provide her with a child, Father. In the name of Jesus. We just ask You to touch those that want to get married, those that have a desire to get married. We ask You to show them the heart of the person that they want to marry and let them be yoked with Him. Father, we just ask You to touch those that want to have a baby. We just ask You to bless their womb, Lord. You have Your way, Father. You bless that child; they would be a child that You’re calling them to be. Thank Father, in the name of Jesus. We just ask you to touch the DAB …
Hi, wonderful Hardin Family and Daily Audio Bible community, my name is JoyAnn or Nurse Joyful B, as I call myself when I called back in January. I wanted to tell you a praise. The day after I submitted my prayer request, the Lord started in motion something so beautiful. My prayer group leader called me that following day, had a financial need and I’m a woman who is currently separated from my husband, he’s not yet a believer. And she set in motion, where I was able to receive a nearly new car that is safe and beautiful, it’s my Jesus car. And I love that the Lord provided for me because in Isaiah 54:5 it’s says “For your maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name and your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel”. And in verse six, “For the Lord has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit and like a youthful wife when she was refused.” And I’m weeping because my husband refused me because of my faith. We’ve been married 37 years but at least the Lord is my husband and he provided me with a beautiful car. And so, He will provide for you all, as well. I know there are so many women in my shoes that are hurting, their husbands don’t yet know the Lord, but I pray for you. I remember ChrisAnn and Gloria and others over the years and may the Lord comfort your hearts. There are so many of you out there that long for your husband’s salvation. So, thank you for praying for me and thanking the Lord for me for this provision, which is just one of many. I love this community; it is such a comfort. God bless you.