1 Samuel Jared Keath 1 Samuel Jared Keath

1 Samuel 13-14

Tragedy in Motion

From the beginning cracks appeared in Saul’s kingship. His flaws are all the more obvious in light of the contrasting character of Jonathan. This is a powerful insight into what lies behind our apathy and compromise toward the things of God, while pointing us to the need of faithful and courageous leader.

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1 Samuel Jared Keath 1 Samuel Jared Keath

1 Samuel 12

Kingdom Renewal

The people were in danger of thinking that because they got a king, that God didn’t care that it was originally motivated by a rejection of him. Samuel’s speech at Saul’s inauguration seeks to awaken the Israelites to this deadly attitude. Is this something that we need to hear today?

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1 Samuel Jared Keath 1 Samuel Jared Keath

1 Samuel 10:17-11:15

God’s Kingship

Saul is publicly selected and confirmed as king. As a king under God's Kingship, he is to be in submission to God's law and empowered by God's Spirit. When that happens he brings salvation to God's people.

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1 Samuel Jared Keath 1 Samuel Jared Keath

1 Samuel 9:1-10:16

Donkeys Lost; King Found

Here we are introduced to Israel's first king. Saul goes searching for lost donkeys but ends up finding a kingdom. God's hand is behind it all to give his people the king they asked for.

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1 Samuel Jared Keath 1 Samuel Jared Keath

1 Samuel 8

Give Us a King!

In this chapter, the people of Israel want a king. But they want one for the wrong reasons, and they ignore the warnings. It shows the deadly desire that lurks in every human heart to reject God as king.

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Psalms Jared Keath Psalms Jared Keath

Psalm 121

God our Keeper

As a song of ascent, this psalm assured those making annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem of God’s protection and care. The same assurance belongs to those in Christ, who are on lifelong pilgrimage to the Jerusalem that is above.

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1 Samuel Jared Keath 1 Samuel Jared Keath

1 Samuel 7:2-17

Returning to the Lord

The book has opened by showing us a people who had lost their way with the Lord. How would they get back? How do you return to the Lord when you’ve lost your way? Here we learn the way back to God is embraced through repentance, achieved by a mediator, and remembered at Ebenezer.

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1 Samuel Jared Keath 1 Samuel Jared Keath

1 Samuel 6:1-7:2

God’s Presence

God’s presence is the greatest blessing there is. Yet, in this passage we see it was a problem for the Philistines; and for the Israelites. They ask, “Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God?” This is the big question that we all need to face—and one that only God himself can resolve for us.

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1 Samuel Jared Keath 1 Samuel Jared Keath

1 Samuel 5

God’s Heavy Hand

When the Philistines got their hands on the ark of the Lord, they assumed they and their idol had triumphed. But what looked like God’s defeat turned out to be his victory, as his hand was heavy against them. Here we learn about the threat of God’s heavy hand against all who dishonour him. Only in the gospel is that threat removed.

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