� Reading 4 - 1 Sam 15-16; 1 Chron 1

15 - Chapter 15 records the beginning of the end for Saul’s reign. Verse 2’s history is found in Exodus 17:8-16. Verse 12 is very disturbing. Where is the credit to God for the victory? In this entire episode Saul seems overly concerned with his image (note verse 30). Samuel makes plain that worship not based on obe- dience means nothing to God (verse 22), a valuable lesson for today. After watching Saul shift the blame, reluctantly admit wrong and worry over his image it is clear he is not the man to lead God’s people (verse 35). God gave Israel what they wanted but their desire for the wrong kind of king will cost them dearly.

16 - Chapter 16 shifts the story firmly to David. Does God instruct Samuel to lie in verse 2? No, there are two purposes for this trip, sacrificing and anointing, and both will be fulfilled. But a public disclosure of a private mission could have led to a civil war. Verse 13 is a crucial verse in 1 Samuel. The passage on the anointing of David ends with the Spirit, the next set of verses begin with Saul’s loss of the Spirit. Truly this is a “hinge” verse. Saul is no longer the focus of the story, and even Samuel has now completed his career and becomes a fairly minor character from this point on. What of the evil spirit in verse 14? Some see this as only depression (as Saul realizes he is rejected by God) because it can be helped by music. Others see this as demonic possession. There are chronology issues with verses 17-23 because Saul appears not to know David in chapter 17. This may be out of order or could be a summary statement, with chapter 17 filling in more of the details of how David came to be in the court permanently.

1 Chronicles 1 - Chronicles begins with nine chapters of genealogy. This is hard for today’s modern reader, but the key here is to note this isn’t just a collection of names, but a list showing connection in names. Watch for those links. The connection in these first three chapters is a continuous line from Adam through Noah through Abraham to David. The long list of names here reminds us of God’s faithfulness to His promises.

Psalm 38

A penitential psalm is a special kind of lament, where the author is appealing to God for help because he has sinned. The help he needs is forgiveness. There are not many of these penitential psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143 compose the usual list). The psalmist begins by saying he is in God’s cross-hairs (verses 1-2) but then reveals it is because of his own doing: he has sinned (verse 3). The result is he is sick (verses 4-8). His sin has isolated him from his companions (verses 10-11). Verse 12 reveals that enemies are plotting against him. In all that is going on, though, David waits on the Lord to forgive, to save and to help (verses 15-22). The psalm ends in confidence, as he openly confesses his sin (verse 18) that God will answer his prayer and “be not far from me!” (verse 21).

Acts 11 - Luke is determined that Christianity will not be just another party in Judaism like the Pharisees or Sadducees. Peter’s defense of what he has done is crucial to establishing that Christianity is for all. Notice that the charge against Peter is not baptizing Gentiles but eating with them (verse 3)! Verse 19 connects Luke’s story back to 8:4. What happened because of the persecution? The Gospel went north to Samaria (chapter 8), then there are three incredible conversion stories (the Ethiopian, Saul, and Cornelius). Now Luke picks up the story of the Gospel’s spread by showing its arrival in Antioch. Verse 20 is very impor- tant. Cornelius’ conversion paves the way for all Greeks to come to Jesus. The famine of verse 28 occurred in AD 45-47, meaning the church is now more than twelve years old.