Welcome to one of the final chapters of 1 Samuel. We’ve traveled through the stories of Samuel, then Saul, and now we are reading about the rise of David as he prepares to become the next king of Israel. This chapter shifts back to Saul to display just how bad things have gotten in Israel.
Start by reading 1 Samuel 28 for yourself, take notes, and compare what you see and hear from God with what I see and hear. The Bible is alive and active. You and I may not see the same things. And if you’ve missed any of the past posts of earlier chapters, you can find them all HERE.
Let’s dive into 1 Samuel 28!
A Nation in Darkness
The three key leaders of Isreal are not doing well. Samuel, the nation’s moral compass, has passed away. David, who most realize is the future leader, is on the run, hiding among his enemies, and living a double life (chapter 27). Saul is in a moral and spiritual free fall.
God is silent. Literally and metaphorically, Israel is in darkness.
Saul, like David in the chapter before, takes matters into his own hands. In this case, Saul doesn’t display even a shred of righteousness in his decision. David was deceitful and on the run, but Saul seeks the dead for answers.
Darkness (silence) may be the ultimate challenge for the leader. When God is silent and hope appears gone, how do you respond? Neither David nor Saul showed themselves well, and the nation suffered.
How you handle pain and heartache and God’s silence through it all determines the fate of your followers. A bit of a spoiler, but it doesn’t end well for Israel. It won’t end well for your family, business, division, or team if you can’t walk through your own seasons of darkness.
What do you do? It seems trite and simplistic but seek Jesus. Call on him; He is the light of the world. This means Jesus is your light. He is your hope. Even more important, Jesus is faithful. Your problems won’t necessarily disappear, but Jesus will be faithful to walk through them with you. And Jesus will give you the wisdom to lead your team well.
It may be dark, but there is still hope.
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