Author: Alfonso Maldonado

1Samuel 18, the love of brothers!

1Sa 18:1,3-4, Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, THE SOUL OF JONATHAN WAS KNIT TO THE SOUL OF DAVID, and JONATHAN LOVED HIM AS HIS OWN SOUL. …THEN JONATHAN AND DAVID MADE A COVENANT, BECAUSE HE LOVED HIM AS HIS OWN SOUL. And Jonathan TOOK OFF THE ROBE THAT WAS ON HIM AND GAVE IT TO DAVID, WITH HIS ARMOR, EVEN TO HIS SWORD AND HIS BOW AND HIS BELT.

Jonathan and David were both men of faith.  both trusted in the LORD, both gave the glory to the LORD and BOTH KNEW THEIR GOD!  By giving his princely garments, his armor, sword Jonathan knew David would be the next king of Israel! THE LOVE THEY SHARED WAS A BROTHERLY LOVE BROUGHT TOGETHER BY THEIR LOVE FOR THE LORD!

1Jn 4:7, Beloved, let us love one another, FOR LOVE IS OF GOD; AND EVERYONE WHO LOVES IS BORN OF GOD AND KNOWS GOD.

Php 2:4-5, Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

JONATHAN WAS NOT MOTIVATED BY HIS OWN INTEREST, BUT SUBMITTED HIMSELF TO THE WILL OF GOD! HIS LOVE FOR DAVID WAS PURE, BUT HIS LOVE FOR GOD BOUND THE TWO TOGETHER! SAUL TRIED TO KILL DAVID YET, THE LORD WAS WITH HIM

1Sa 18:28, THUS SAUL SAW AND KNEW THAT THE LORD WAS WITH DAVID

1Samuel 17, David and Goliath.

1Sa 17:28, …Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I KNOW YOUR PRIDE AND THE INSOLENCE OF YOUR HEART, … 

David’s brother Eliab didn’t think much of his younger brother. He believed he was only good to take care of their father’s sheep!  Eliab could only see his exterior and called it pride yet, it wasn’t pride it was faith in the living GOD!

Jer 17:10, I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

1Sa 17:45,46,47, Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. BUT I COME TO YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF THE ARMIES OF ISRAEL, whom you have defied… This day THE LORD WILL DELIVER YOU INTO MY HAND… that all the earth may know that THERE IS A GOD IN ISRAEL. … Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; FOR THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 

DAVID HAD FAITH IN HIS GOD AND WITH THAT FAITH HE CONFRONTED THE GIANT.  DAVID GAVE ALL THE GLORY TO GOD!  IT WASN’T PRIDE THAT MOVED DAVID BUT, A COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN THE LIVING GOD!

Psa 18:2-3, THE LORD IS MY ROCK AND MY FORTRESS AND MY DELIVERER; MY GOD, MY STRENGTH, IN WHOM I WILL TRUST; MY SHIELD AND THE HORN OF MY SALVATION, MY STRONGHOLD. I WILL CALL UPON THE LORD, WHO IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!

1Samuel 16, David anointed king!

1Sa 16:6-7, So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “SURELY THE LORD’S ANOINTED IS BEFORE HIM!” But the LORD said to Samuel, “DO NOT LOOK AT HIS APPEARANCE OR AT HIS PHYSICAL STATURE, because I have refused him. FOR THE LORD DOES NOT SEE AS MAN SEES; FOR MAN LOOKS AT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART.”

Where man can only look at the appearance of a man, God can see a man’s heart! There was already one (Saul) who looked like a king (outwardly) , YET GOD CHOSE A MAN AFTER HIS OWN HEART (David).

1Sa 16:13-14, …AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON DAVID from that day forward. …BUT THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD DEPARTED FROM SAUL, AND A DISTRESSING SPIRIT FROM THE LORD TROUBLED HIM.

Does a loving God send a distressing spirit? THE SPIRIT OF GOD (HIS PROTECTION) DEPARTED FROM SAUL WHICH LEAVES HIM OPEN TO THE ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY! Satan was able to attack Job ONLY AFTER GOD REMOVED THE HEDGE OF PROTECTION FROM JOB (Job 1:10)! LIKE A LIGHT IN A ROOM, ONCE THE LIGHT GOES OFF DARKNESS FILLS THE SPACE (Mat 12:43-45).

Eph 1:13, IN HIM YOU ALSO TRUSTED, AFTER YOU HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION; IN WHOM ALSO, HAVING BELIEVED, YOU WERE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE, 

1Samuel 15, The Rebellion of Saul.

1Sa 15:3, Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly DESTROY ALL THAT THEY HAVE, and DO NOT SPARE THEM. BUT KILL BOTH MAN AND WOMAN, INFANT AND NURSING CHILD, OX AND SHEEP, CAMEL AND DONKEY.’ ” 

AMALEK IS A TYPE OF SIN THAT WE MUST COMPLETELY DESTROY FROM OUR LIVES!

1Sa 15:9, BUT SAUL AND THE PEOPLE SPARED AGAG AND THE BEST OF THE SHEEP, THE OXEN, THE FATLINGS, THE LAMBS, AND ALL THAT WAS GOOD, AND WERE UNWILLING TO UTTERLY DESTROY THEM.

By sparing Agag and some animals Saul completely disobeyed GOD! We must utterly cut off sin from our lives! Spare nothing, including our favorite sin!

Psa 37:38-39, BUT THE TRANSGRESSORS SHALL BE DESTROYED TOGETHER; THE FUTURE OF THE WICKED SHALL BE CUT OFF. BUT THE SALVATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS IS FROM THE LORD; …

1Sa 15:15, And Saul said, “THEY have brought them from the Amalekites; FOR THE PEOPLE spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD YOUR GOD;…

SAUL BLAMES EVERYONE BUT HIMSELF! SAUL SAID IT BEST BY SAYING “YOUR GOD”! HE WASN’T SAUL’S GOD FOR HE WAS UNWILLING TO OBEY HIS WORD!

Psa 119:9, HOW CAN A YOUNG MAN CLEANSE HIS WAY? BY TAKING HEED ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD. 

1Samuel 14, the faith of Jonathan!

1Sa 14:1, Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “COME, LET US GO OVER TO THE PHILISTINES’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father

While Saul was sitting the glory departed Saul; Jonathan was filled with faith in the LORD!

1Sa 14:6, …”Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; IT MAY BE THAT THE LORD WILL WORK FOR US. FOR NOTHING RESTRAINS THE LORD FROM SAVING BY MANY OR BY FEW.” 

Jonathan didn’t tell his father nor the people of Israel what he intended to do! He wasn’t looking for his own glory, but he knew the work of HIS GOD & HIS PROMISES! Nothing restrains GOD BUT OUR OWN FAITHLESSNESS!

Mat 13:58, Now He (JESUS) did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. 

1Sa 14:15, And there was TREMBLING IN THE CAMP, IN THE FIELD, AND AMONG ALL THE PEOPLE. THE GARRISON AND THE RAIDERS ALSO TREMBLED; and THE EARTH QUAKED, so that it was a VERY GREAT TREMBLING. 

JONATHAN & HIS ARMOR-BEARER STEPPED OUT IN FAITH, THEN THE LORD DID WHAT ONLY THE LORD COULD DO! HE CAUSED THE PEOPLE TO TREAMBLE IN FEAR WITH AN EARTHQUAKE AND CONFUSION! WE HAVE AN AMAZING POWER BEHIND US IF ONLY WE WOULD BELIEVE IN THE LORD & HIS WORD!

Rom 8:31, … IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?

1Samuel 13, King and Priest!

1Sa 13:9, So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” AND HE OFFERED THE BURNT OFFERING. 

Saul was a king but not a priest! Also reminds me of king Uzziah who did right according to the LORD Yet, was plagued with Leprosy for burning incense to the LORD! 2Chr 26:16-20.

2Ch 26:16, But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, TO HIS DESTRUCTION, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD TO BURN INCENSE ON THE ALTAR OF INCENSE. 

1Sa 13:11, And Samuel said, “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?” Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, AND THAT YOU DID NOT COME WITHIN THE DAYS APPOINTED, and that the PHILISTINES GATHERED TOGETHER AT MICHMASH,

Saul, like a child, blames Samuel for not showing up on time! He felt compelled to do the work of a priest (ver 13)

THERE IS ONLY ONE KING AND PRIEST AND THAT IS THE LORD JESUS. HE IS THE KING OF kings AND LORD OF lords! HE IS ALSO THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST WHO OFFERED HIMSELF RATHER THAN THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND GOATS TO COVER OUR SINS!

Heb 4:14-15, Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, YET WITHOUT SIN.

1Samuel 12, Word of Wisdom!

1Sa 12:20-21, Then Samuel said to the people, “DO NOT FEAR. YOU HAVE DONE ALL THIS WICKEDNESS; YET DO NOT TURN ASIDE FROM FOLLOWING THE LORD, BUT SERVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART. AND DO NOT TURN ASIDE; FOR THEN YOU WOULD GO AFTER EMPTY THINGS WHICH CANNOT PROFIT OR DELIVER, FOR THEY ARE NOTHING.

Ecc 7:20, For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin. 

It’s true, we all have fallen short of the glory of GOD yet, WE MUST CONTINUE FOLLOWING THE LORD AND NOT OUR HEARTS! GOING AFTER ANYTHING ELSE IS LIKE SEEKING A FALSE IDOL WHICH CANNOT DO ANYTHING!

Isa 46:7, They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it And set it in its place, and it stands; From its place it shall not move. Though one cries out to it, YET IT CANNOT ANSWER NOR SAVE HIM OUT OF HIS TROUBLE. 

1Sa 12:22, FOR THE LORD WILL NOT FORSAKE HIS PEOPLE, FOR HIS GREAT NAME’S SAKE, BECAUSE IT HAS PLEASED THE LORD TO MAKE YOU HIS PEOPLE. 

IN TIMES OF TROUBLE AND IN DROUGHT WE MAY DOUBT, BE ANXIOUS AND FEAR! YET HE IS FAITHFUL AND WILL NOT FORSAKE HIS PEOPLE! HE IS ALWAYS NEAR AND HE HEARS OUR PRAYERS! DO NOT BE RULED BY EMOTION, BUT BY FAITH IN THE ONLY TRUE AND LIVING GOD! HE SEE’S YOU!

Psa 94:14, For the LORD will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance. 

1Samuel 11, Victory over Nahash!

1Samuel 11:1, Then NAHASH the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “MAKE A COVENANT WITH US, AND WE WILL SERVE YOU.”

The name NAHASH stems from the name NÂCHÂSH found in Gen 3:1 which means SNAKE OR SERPENT. Son’s of Israel wanted to make a covenant with the Snake (satan)!

1Sa 11:2, And Nahash… answered them, “On this condition I will make a covenant with you, THAT I MAY PUT OUT ALL YOUR RIGHT EYES, AND BRING REPROACH ON ALL ISRAEL.” 

AS CHRISTIANS WHEN THE ENEMY COMES UPON US WE FIGHT FROM A POSITION OF VICTORY YET, WE FORGET THIS SIMPLE FACT! Satan WANTS TO BLIND, ENSLAVE & HUMILIATE ALL CHRISTIANS. WHEN WE FORGET OUR LORD WE SUCCUMB TO FEAR!

Psa 56:3, WHENEVER I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN YOU.

Psa 34:4, I SOUGHT THE LORD, AND HE HEARD ME, AND DELIVERED ME FROM ALL MY FEARS. 

HE IS OUR GREATEST STRENGTH YET WE MAY FORGET AT TIMES AND SUBMIT OURSELVES TO FEAR AND ANXIETIES!  JESUS SAID HE SHALL ALWAYS BE WITH US!

Jos 1:9, Have I not commanded you? BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE; DO NOT BE AFRAID, NOR BE DISMAYED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.” 

1Samuel 10, anointing the king!

1Sa 10:6, Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and BE TURNED INTO ANOTHER MAN. 

1Sa 10:9-10, …GOD GAVE HIM ANOTHER HEART; and ALL THOSE SIGNS came to pass that day… then the SPIRIT OF GOD CAME UPON HIM, and he prophesied among them. 

HE TURNED HIM INTO ANOTHER MAN AND GAVE HIM ANOTHER HEART IN ORDER TO LEAD HIS PEOPLE!

Psa 51:10, Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

1Sa 10:22, … “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD answered, “THERE HE IS, HIDDEN AMONG THE EQUIPMENT.”

1Sa 10:26, And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and VALIANT MEN WENT WITH HIM, WHOSE HEARTS GOD HAD TOUCHED. 

OUR PASTORS HAVE BEEN ANOINTED BY GOD, BUT THEY CAN’T DO IT ALONE. THEY NEED VALIANT MEN THAT WILL NOT HIDE FROM THEIR HEAVENLY CROWN GIVEN TO THEM BY GOD AS SAUL HID FROM HIS EARTHLY CROWN! Psa 119:46, I WILL SPEAK OF YOUR TESTIMONIES ALSO BEFORE KINGS, AND WILL NOT BE ASHAMED!

Rom 12:2, And do not be conformed to this world, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

1Samuel 9, Saul king of Israel!

1Sa 9:2, And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. 

God gave Israel what they wanted; a man to be king over them. Handsome, tall, from a rich family. VISIBLY PERFECT IN THE SIGHT OF MAN YET NO MENTION OF GOD IN HIS LIFE.

1Sa 9:6, And he said to him, “Look now, there is in this city A MAN OF GOD, and he is AN HONORABLE MAN; ALL THAT HE SAYS SURELY COMES TO PASS. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go.” 

1Sa 3:19, …and the LORD was with him and let NONE OF HIS WORDS FALL TO THE GROUND. 

SAMUEL WAS AN HONORABLE MAN OF GOD WITH A GOOD REPUTATION AMONG THE PEOPLE! AS BELIEVERS WE SHOULD HAVE THE SAME CHARACTER AS SAMUEL!

1Sa 9:17, So when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, “THERE HE IS, THE MAN OF WHOM I SPOKE TO YOU. THIS ONE SHALL REIGN OVER MY PEOPLE.” 

A MAN SEARCHING FOR HIS FATHERS LOST DONKEYS, FOUND A LOST NATION AND BECAME KING OVER IT! HE WAS GUIDED BY GOD THROUGH THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE! WHERE HE GUIDES, HE PROVIDES!

Psa 32:8, I WILL INSTRUCT YOU AND TEACH YOU IN THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO; I WILL GUIDE YOU WITH MY EYE.