Not-So-Quiet-Time: 1 Samuel 9

At-Home Bible Guide for the Week of 6/14

Day 1: 1-4
Saul is handsome and tall. He is obedient to his father. And he continues on his task even when there are obstacles. It seems that Saul had qualities that made him a good candidate for a leader. However, as we continue to read, we will see that he does not make the most of the gifts God had given to him. We can learn from this. We may have opportunities and potential, but in order to be successful, we must live lives of obedience and faithfulness. Ask God to help you use your gifts to honor Him.

Day 2: Verses 5-10
Here we see the beginning of Saul’s decline. His servant rightly thinks it would be wise to seek the man of God. But instead of seeing God’s prophet—Samuel—as someone speaking for the Almighty, they understood him as someone who might have a supernatural insight on where to find the donkeys. And they both thought that they must pay to hear God’s voice. In our lives, we must be careful of thinking too little of God’s majesty and power. Yes, He cares about the in’s-and-out’s of our daily life, but we must never approach Him as someone who works for us. Ask God to help you remember that He is your Lord.

Day 3: Verses 11-17
Samuel was listening to God’s voice. And he was willing to obey. Remember that Samuel had been upset about the idea of a king, but he still obeyed when God called him to help install the king. Do you trust God enough to follow after Him even when He works in ways that don’t line up with your plan? Ask God to help you obey Him even when it is difficult or when you don’t understand.

Day 4: Verses 18-25
Saul is confused by how Samuel is speaking to him. And he must have been even more perplexed when he found out that food had been specifically set aside for him ahead of time. You see, Saul had been focused on finding the donkeys, but God was working out all the details to bring Israel its first king. We can be thankful that God sees and knows all. In his sovereignty, He is working out all the details of life. Jesus said that not even a bird falls to the ground apart from the Father’s permission (Matt 10:29). And, in Saul’s life, not one donkey ran away outside of God’s plan. And, for those who belong to Christ, not one day passes without God working out all things for our good (Rom 8:28). 

Day 5: Verses 26-27
Samuel asked Saul to stop his journey to hear the Word of God. God still speaks today, and He has given us his Scriptures so that we can hear his voice. He calls us to slow down our journey and listen. We all have places to go and things to do, but when God calls us to pause because He has something to say, we must stop to listen.

Catechism Connection: 4
Saul and his servant had let their view of God bend too low. They needed to believe, “God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth” (WSC 4). God loves to help us with our everyday issues. He can help us find our “lost donkeys.” But we must never treat Him like a wish-granter or lucky-charm. He is the Lord.

Monthly Memory: 1 John 4:11
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.