“….I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”“All who rage against you will surely be disgraced. Those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you w...  Read More

Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah…Saul and the Philistines assembled and camped in the valley of  Elah and drew up their battle lines to meet the Philistines…A champion named Goliath who was from Gath came out of the Philistine camp... His height was six cubits and a span (over nine feet). He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale a...  Read More

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely, the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But...  Read More

The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ Invite ...  Read More

When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.” But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear? Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice them to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest. “Enoug...  Read More

Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty says. I will punish the Amalekites for what they did when they waylaid them as they came out of Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them.Do not spare them; put to death men, and women, childre...  Read More