Saul has been introduced to us and marked privately as the new king (9:1-10:16). Now it is time for his unveiling and Samuel calls a national assembly. However, it is not quite the joy-filled celebration we might anticipate. Samuel begins with a prophetic thunder: "Thus says the LORD" (v18). Prophets don't tend to begin happy messages like that; it is

Coronations are normally joyous events. In 1953 at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, medals, stamps, and medallions were issued. And alongside all the fireworks and street parties a new chicken dish was invented (Coronation Chicken). Canada really celebrated: they had a national holiday, in Newfoundland 90,000 boxes of sweets were given out, some dropped to remote locations by the

The Puritan Thomas Watson defined repentance as an inward humility and outward reformation. These two need to always go together. It is not enough to behave well on the outside but love sin in the heart, nor is it enough to hate sin in the heart but behave badly on the outside. True repentance is a heartfelt humility for sin

It is not uncommon to hear people ask the question: Why do bad things happen to good people? It is a sincere and honest question as they struggle with the reality of grief, sorrow, and suffering. But it is a misguided question. The Bible never portrays us as "good" people. Rather, it says "No one does good, not even one"

The Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Dias originally named the southern tip of Africa the "Cape of Storms." He did so because the waters there have been the cause of many shipwrecks. Once the waters were learned to be navigated the Cape of Storms was renamed "The Cape of Good Hope," for the optimism engendered by opening up the trade route. In

The weeping Prophet was trapped in a dark prison. His joy was gone. His peace was gone. His comfort was gone. His safety was gone. So dire was the place where he found himself even his hope had withered and died: "My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the LORD" (v 18). A person can withstand much if

The words of Jeremiah as a representative mourner are intended to be used not only by the citizens of Judah in his particular time and place, but by all who find themselves in dreary sorrow. As the glorious hope and confidence that will be found in this chapter is the possession of every believer, so the Holy Spirit has given

Rev. Joel Loughridge was unable to write the notes for 1 Samuel this week due to a family bereavement. So, this week we are looking at Lamentations chapter 3 using notes by Rev. Kyle Borg, minister of Winchester RP church.The third lament contains some of the most well known verses from the book of Lamentations and perhaps of the Old

This whole chapter raises a question - did God make a mistake in giving Saul to Israel as King. It's become clear this week that he is not the man for the job. And it will become increasingly clear as we move on through 1 Samuel. The kingdom will come crashing down from the high point of Samuel's time as

We've got a glimpse this week of the king after Israel's own heart - the man they wanted. Saul was the 'asked-for' king, the desire of all Israel (9:20). We all have 'kings' after our own hearts. People or things we long for, ask for, and look to in trouble. Of whom, or what, do you say, "I only need…"?