How to Listen Better than How to Listen Better than Saul

Day 1: Read 1 3:1-10 Day 1: Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10 The pattern for Samuel’s long life of service to God and to Israel The pattern for Samuel’s long life of service to God and to Israel was set early. Samuel’s mother dedicated him to God’s service was set early. Samuel’s mother dedicated him to God’s service from the time he was born (cf. 1 Samuel 1:20-28). While he was from the time he was born (cf. 1 Samuel 1:20-28). While he was still a boy, God called to him in an extraordinary way. Samuel didn’t still a boy, God called to him in an extraordinary way. Samuel didn’t know what to make of it at first, but the older, wiser priest Eli know what to make of it at first, but the older, wiser priest Eli recognized that something remarkable was happening. So Samuel recognized that something remarkable was happening. So Samuel listened to God—and, for the rest of his life, he never stopped. listened to God—and, for the rest of his life, he never stopped.

Day 2: Read 1 Samuel 7:15-17, 9:1- 2, 15-17, 13:6-14 Day 2: Read 1 Samuel 7:15-17, 9:1- 2, 15-17, 13:6-14 The term translated “judge” did not refer to judicial office, but to a The term translated “judge” did not refer to judicial office, but to a broader kind of spiritual leadership. Samuel was a transitional broader kind of spiritual leadership. Samuel was a transitional figure, who unwillingly moved Israel from theocracy (government figure, who unwillingly moved Israel from theocracy (government by God) to monarchy. He anointed tall, handsome Saul as Israel’s by God) to monarchy. He anointed tall, handsome Saul as Israel’s first king. But, to his great sadness, he later had to tell Saul that by first king. But, to his great sadness, he later had to tell Saul that by his many bad, self-serving choices he had forfeited his right to the his many bad, self-serving choices he had forfeited his right to the kingship. kingship.

Day 3: Read 1 Samuel 16:1-3 Day 3: Read 1 Samuel 16:1-3 Samuel had told Saul that God had rejected him as king. But Saul Samuel had told Saul that God had rejected him as king. But Saul was still on the throne. Samuel was human, and seeing the king he was still on the throne. Samuel was human, and seeing the king he had anointed spiral downward caused him to grieve. Even worse, had anointed spiral downward caused him to grieve. Even worse, God sent him to anoint Israel’s NEXT king, which Saul would no God sent him to anoint Israel’s NEXT king, which Saul would no doubt see as treason. But, a bit reluctantly, Samuel once again doubt see as treason. But, a bit reluctantly, Samuel once again listened to God. listened to God.

Day 4: Read 1 Samuel 16:4-7 Day 4: Read 1 Samuel 16:4-7 Saul was handsome, and stood head and shoulders above Saul was handsome, and stood head and shoulders above everyone else—he just looked like a king. So, apparently, did everyone else—he just looked like a king. So, apparently, did ’s oldest son Eliab. So Samuel expected Eliab to be God’s Jesse’s oldest son Eliab. So Samuel expected Eliab to be God’s choice as the next king. But God let Samuel know that he was choice as the next king. But God let Samuel know that he was seeking a person who was truly a king on the inside, not just one seeking a person who was truly a king on the inside, not just one who looked regal on the outside. who looked regal on the outside. Heroes Heroes

Day 4: Read 1 Samuel 16:8-13 Day 4: Read 1 Samuel 16:8-13 We sometimes miss the clue this story gave to ’s painful early We sometimes miss the clue this story gave to David’s painful early life as Jesse’s youngest son, the “runt of the litter.” The prophet life as Jesse’s youngest son, the “runt of the litter.” The prophet said, “Bring your sons to the sacrifice,” but Jesse didn’t value said, “Bring your sons to the sacrifice,” but Jesse didn’t value David enough to include him. (In that regard, the story may remind David enough to include him. (In that regard, the story may remind us of the familiar Cinderella story.) But God wouldn’t let Jesse limit us of the familiar Cinderella story.) But God wouldn’t let Jesse limit his options. Today millions know David’s name who’ve never heard his options. Today millions know David’s name who’ve never heard of Eliab, Abinadab or Shammah. of Eliab, Abinadab or Shammah.

Day 5: Read Matthew 20:30-21:15 Day 5: Read Matthew 20:30-21:15 This week we’ve read about Samuel listening to God, and going to This week we’ve read about Samuel listening to God, and going to a little village to anoint a young man whose own father didn’t seem a little village to anoint a young man whose own father didn’t seem to value him much. Fast forward about 1,000 years. Jesus, God in to value him much. Fast forward about 1,000 years. Jesus, God in human flesh, was going to Jerusalem, where a cross awaited him. human flesh, was going to Jerusalem, where a cross awaited him. Blind men who yearned for his healing touch, people who loved Blind men who yearned for his healing touch, people who loved and followed him, even children called him “son of David,” a title of and followed him, even children called him “son of David,” a title of honor that meant he was the promised Messiah. (Even Jesus' honor that meant he was the promised Messiah. (Even Jesus' enemies immediately understood the import of the title.) Because enemies immediately understood the import of the title.) Because Samuel listened to God, David’s name had become a key link in Samuel listened to God, David’s name had become a key link in the chain of God’s eternal saving action. the chain of God’s eternal saving action.

______Check out the latest devos at mitchellfusion.com/adults/devos Check out the latest devos at mitchellfusion.com/adults/devos ______Looking for a suggestion on what kind of Bible to read? Looking for a suggestion on what kind of Bible to read? We recommend the Common English (CEB) Study Bible, the New We recommend the Common English (CEB) Study Bible, the New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible or the CEB Wesley Study Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible or the CEB Wesley Study Bible. Bible. For free options, check out the YouVersion Bible Smartphone App For free options, check out the YouVersion Bible Smartphone App or www.biblegateway.com. or www.biblegateway.com.