Author: Administrador

In the tradition in which I was raised, Bible study material often tried to present a “Central Bible Truth” for each lesson–the one thing that the biblical text said was important to “take home.” In the reading for the fourth Sunday of Lent from 1 Samuel 16, that central Bible truth was usually the statement … Continue reading “1 Samuel 16:1-13 Commentary by David G. Garber Jr.”

You can have one of the most unforgettable dining experiences of your life at the Nalaga’at Center in the area of Jaffa in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Center fosters engagement between the deaf and blind community with the greater public through artistic and cultural experience. Among their various activities at the Center, they run the … Continue reading “1 Samuel 16:1-13 Commentary by Roger Nam”

In 1 Samuel 15, Samuel denounces King Saul for violating the rules of Holy War by sparing the king of the Amalekites and keeping booty from Israel’s war against them. Samuel told Saul that his kingship would be turned over to his “neighbor,” who turns out to be David. The main portion of this lesson … Continue reading “1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 Commentary by Ralph W. Klein”

While promise, covenant and anointing have become exalted terms in both Jewish and Christian traditions, ancient Israelites perhaps had a more realistic view of what they entailed. Whether receiving a promise from, entering a covenant with or being anointed at the command of God, the people of God learned through hard experience that their relationship … Continue reading “1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 Commentary by Karla Suomala”

“Samuel then went to Ramah” (1 Samuel 15:34; 16:13). This simple narrative statement does a lot more then inform the reader where Samuel is physically going. The exact phrase frames this week’s text, repeating itself at the beginning and ending of the passage. The phenomenon has a fancy biblical studies term, a Wiederaufnahme, or a … Continue reading “1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 Commentary by Roger Nam”

“We Want a King!” It’s hard to find a headline during this campaign season in which candidates, politicians, and special interest groups are not demanding “radical” change in the way things are done in America. Things have got to change, they say. What they don’t agree upon is what needs change, how to change it … Continue reading “1 Samuel 8:4-11 [12-15] 16-20 [11:14-15] Commentary by Karla Suomala”

Kingship was always initiated from the gods above, less one notable exception. According to the Code of Hammurapi, the Near Eastern deity Marduk entrusts his law to the earthly king, Hammurapi who ruled over Babylonia for an astonishing 42 years (1692-1650 BC). When looking at the image of the code, most viewers mistakenly assume that … Continue reading “1 Samuel 8:4-11 [12-15] 16-20 [11:14-15] Commentary by Roger Nam”

The story of God’s people continues, and again time has passed. The wilderness lessons are over, and the people have settled into the land God promised Abraham (Genesis 12:1, 15:7, 17:8). After Joshua, the Israelites are led by a series of judges who rise up in difficult times. As the book of Judges comes to … Continue reading “1 Samuel 3:1-21 Commentary by Beth L. Tanner”

What does it mean to be called by God? Is it something that happens only to a few, or is it part of our lives as Christians? Both the Old Testament and New Testament texts for this week focus on the call of God and help us understand God’s call on our own lives. The … Continue reading “1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20] Commentary by Beth L. Tanner”

The narrative of the calling of Samuel is replete with irony and foreshadowing. The irony is bitter: Samuel thinks the voice calling him in the night belongs to Eli, but the voice belongs to YHWH, and the message is against Eli and his house. The oracle of doom for the house of Eli foreshadows the … Continue reading “1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20] Commentary by Callie Plunket-Brewton”