1 Samuel 11:1-15

In the previous chapter, Saul is anointed and proclaimed king of Israel by Samuel in front of the people of Israel at Mizpah. Saul is the man that the LORD, the true King of Israel, has chosen from the tribe of Benjamin to be the leader of His people because they have rejected Him as their king and have desired a man instead. Samuel, God’s prophet and priest, speaks and works on behalf of God to bring this about. However, there are those who still refuse to acknowledge Saul as king and have their doubts about him. In verse 27 of chapter 10, they question, “How can this man save us?” and they “despised him” as their ruler.

In this chapter, Saul’s validity to rule and his role as the “deliverer” of the nation Israel is secured through the defeat of the Ammonites. By defeating Israel’s enemies and persecutors, he solidifies his anointed status and reinforces that he is truly chosen by God to lead this people.

The establishment of Saul’s reign is reinforced by the many parallels to the book of Judges, the time before Saul’s reign when God chose certain men to judge or deliver His people from various oppressors. As their King, God saved his people from their slavery and oppression in Egypt and freed them so that they might worship him freely. Those he appoints are given the same task – to deliver His people so that they may remain a nation free to worship the LORD. When Saul hears about the oppression of the city of Jabesh-gilead by Nahash the Ammonite, the “Spirit of God rushed upon” him just as it did for the judges Samson (Judg 14:6), Gideon (6:34), and Jephthah (11:29). The power of God is granted to these men to deliver His people. Then, to incite the nation of Israel to follow him to battle the Ammonites, he cuts up a yoke of oxen and sends them throughout the tribes of Israel, pronouncing a curse upon those who refuse to join him as one nation. This episode is directly parallel to Judges 19 and 20 when a Levite did the same to his concubine to incite Israel to revenge against the tribe of Benjamin for their wickedness. Saul is reinforcing through his actions that he is the rightful king of Israel, chosen by God.

With the kingdom of Israel united under the leadership of Saul, the Ammonites are defeated and Jabesh-gilead is saved. Twice, the author uses the word “salvation” to note what has transpired. Saul says to them before the battle that they will receive “salvation” tomorrow by noon (v. 9) and then again after the battle when Saul proclaims, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel” (v.13). This is the pattern of God’s work in the nation of Israel. In their sin, they are delivered over to their captors and oppressors, but the LORD will always work salvation and deliverance for His people because He is faithful and His mercy is great. The role of the leaders and kings of Israel is to acknowledge that the LORD is the true king and they are stewards of His people. In so doing, they receive the power to deliver on behalf of God himself. But when they put themselves above the God who put them on the throne, they will suffer the consequences of their sin.

Application: Saul began his rule in the power of God and God gave him victory and authority. But his pride and his desire for his own glory caused him to lose the kingdom and be rejected by God. No matter the course of our lives, what we end up doing, where we live, what are children accomplish, what jobs we have, etc., the most important question is will we walk with God until the end? Will we seek His glory over our own each day of our lives? Will we turn our eyes to Him, no matter the struggles and difficulties or even the successes and glories that come our way? The Christian life is a daily walk, and each day we must ask ourselves if we will choose to follow Him today.

—Jessica Sun

 

撒母耳记上 9:1-27; 10:1-27

撒母耳记上第九、第十章记述了先知撒母耳膏立扫罗做以色列王的事件，做为对第八章以色列人要求立王的回应。虽然以色列人要求立王得罪了神，神还是应允了他们的要求。

第九章从扫罗带着仆人找驴开始，一切看似很偶然，但是我们基督徒知道，没有什么事情是偶然发生的，在偶然的背后是神的旨意或是神的许可。因此我们在面对任何问题时都应当追问，神通过这件事情向我要什么？我如何做才符合神的心意呢？

扫罗面对撒母耳的宣召，首先是怀疑甚至抗拒的（9:21，10:22）。这是罪人蒙召常有的反应（出埃及记3:11，4:10；士师记6:15）。之所以有这样的反应，我个人的领受首先是罪人的自觉不配；第二是使命太大，让人畏惧，觉得没有可能完成。但是只要与神同行，没有什么是不可能的。而整本圣经都传递着一个信息：神总是拣选那些自觉不配的、自卑的人，反而在人骄傲狂妄的时候，神会降下惩罚。在第二章哈拿颂和玛丽亚颂（路加福音1:46-55）里就传递着这样平行的信息：神抬举卑贱的人，降卑骄傲的人。愿我们在主里常常保持一颗谦卑的心，做一个“灵里贫穷”（马太福音5:3）的人。

在第6和第9节，提到扫罗“变为新人”和神“赐他一个新心”，这些都发生在神的灵感动扫罗之后。我们基督徒也是蒙神赐下圣灵的人，有了一颗新心，因此都当做个新人。结合后面的篇章，当扫罗不再听神的话，神的灵就离开了他，而恶魔就来攻击他了。我个人的领受是，我们基督徒要住在神的话语里，要听神的话，要行出神的话。如果我们离弃神，圣灵也会离开我们，那末后的景况就比先前更不好了（彼得后书2:20）。

最后，我想我们基督徒读这些旧约故事，不能觉得是很久以前的事情，其实这些就是现在的事情，因为圣经是没有时间限制的。扫罗的失败不仅是他个人的失败，更是一面我们常常要对照的镜子。

-Mary Mei

Psalm 65:1-13

Key Verse: (Psalm 65:5a) You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds…

God Answers

The poet shouted for joy and sing, Psalm 65 is another beautiful song of praises to our Lord and God. The poet sang praises because God answered him – though we were overwhelmed by sins, He forgave our transgressions and blessed us. In New Testament, the answer was clear and fulfilled – Jesus, the only begotten son of God, was sent to this world and paid the ransom to redeem us from our sin. And He will come again, when we will meet Him in the air, be with Him eternally.

1 Samuel 8:1-22

Key Verse: (1 Samuel 8:22a) The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king. ”

God Answered

Samuel must be very displeased and confused when the Israelites asked for a king, ‘like all the other nations have’. Weren’t the Israelites the people of God, and God was their king? Wasn’t Israel called by God to be separated from all other nations, to be a holy one? God answered Samuel, that It’s not him, but their God that they rejected.

A king ‘like all the other nations have’ – to Israelites at first this appeared to be a military leader – going out before them and fighting for their battles. Well, from Exodus to Judges, God had been leading them and won the wars for them; God had done so much more than that and the Israelites had conveniently forgotten (and forsaken) what God had accomplished. As we drill down to the true intent, Israelites actually asked for making a king amongst themselves. They quickly gave up their faith to God and conceded to their own lust of control and power under the disguise of ‘the observed geopolitical circumstances’. God answered the Israelites that they would have a human king, but they would also have to pay for it, in each and every way they could think of.

God’s way is higher than men’s. The ultimate plan of salvation surprisingly and accurately proceeded to answer all the prophesies about Messiah – who fought for us and won over the dominion of death – our King of kings and Lord of lords.

Lord, forgive us for our little faith and the crave of rebellion against you. Be our Vision, our Wisdom, our Treasure, our King. Amen.

— Ivy Lin

 

BE THOU MY VISION (Hymn #331)

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art

High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun
Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

撒母耳记上 7:1-17

我们可以从撒母耳记上第7章又一次看到这样一个简单的事实：信心的力量。
撒母耳借着祷告和献祭，靠着对主的信心，帮助以色列人击败非利士人；
以色列人也靠着撒母耳的引导，逐步建立起对主的信心，懂得了在战争灾难到来之际，呼求神的救助来制服非利士人，从而更加坚定了依赖主的信念，并且在以后的日子不断接受撒母耳的审示。

祷告祈求主，不断增强对主的信心，对于我们的日常生活来说也尤其重要，要时刻警醒自己，日常的点点滴滴无不是主给我们的赐福，顺风顺境千万不能磨灭我们对主的信心；而当我们遇到困难的时候，生活中有不如意，职场中有困境，学业上有挑战，身体健康上亮起红灯时，我们更要问自己，有什么好做倚靠的，凭什么做决择呢？
从这一章圣经来看，靠主的信心是百战百胜的力量源泉，只有祷吿求助，主的应允赐福必不会让我们失望。要问平时如何来增强对靠主的信心，一个有效的方法就是在圣灵的感动下，时时来细数神的恩典，见证主在自己身上所做的工，回头想想自己是怎么爬过一座又一座山川，渡过一个又一个难关，直叫人不得不把自己完完全全献给主，为主做活的见证！
—Hua Xin

撒母耳记上 5:1-12;  6:1-21

撒母耳记上第5章讲的是非利士人打了胜仗虏了约柜放到了大衮的庙里，第二日和第三日清晨起来，大衮都扑倒在耶和华面前，四肢断裂。
在这世上，只有一个真神就是耶和华，除祂以外别无真神，神甚至因为约柜与偶像被摆在一起，便使偶像扑倒四肢断裂，来向那些不认识神的外邦人证明祂是真神。
且让亚实突的人都生了痔疮。约柜的被虏，是以色列人的失败，因为他们不听上帝的话，神是永远得胜的，祂用自己的方式让抢占约柜的人都得了痔疮，不得不将约柜送还给以色列。

紧接着是第6章，非利士人因为得病苦不堪呀，讨论着如何赶快把约柜送回到以色列，这一章让我印象最深的是19节，耶和华因伯示麦人窥探他的约柜，就击杀了他们七十人。
我们的神是圣洁的神，不管是谁违背神，神一定刑罚管教。神也是公义的，非利士人遭受神的刑罚，以色列人不敬畏主也要接受神的刑罚，神的圣洁是不容许任何人僭越的。
我们不能感觉自己是基督徒就高人一等，评价未信之人，或觉得那人不热心就觉得那人不好。神对每个人都是公平的，我们所要做的就是有一颗敬虔的心，爱主爱人，不能像文中的伯示麦人一样，害怕神的公义反而拒绝约柜还远离神。
—- Isa Zhu

撒母耳记上 3:1-21; 4:1-22

“…… 当那些日子，耶和华的言语稀少，不常有默示。” (3:1)

撒母耳在殿里侍奉耶和华时，还只是个童子。那时的以色列人，已经少有得到耶和华的默示了。在士师时代的末期，以色列人属灵生命的衰弱，和侍奉在神祭坛前的祭司的无为与失职，正如这样一幅暗夜图:

“……以利睡卧在自己的地方，他眼目昏花，看不分明，神的灯在神耶和华殿内约柜那里，还没有熄灭……。“ (3:2-3) 就是在这个时候，耶和华 神呼召了撒母耳并给了他关于以利一家被审判的默示。以利也知道他任由儿子胡作非为，藐视神的的祭物，自己看重儿子过于敬重神，知道儿子作孽，却不禁止他们，放纵他们继续得罪神，他们必为这样的罪孽难逃其咎，终受处罚。

身为父母的基督徒现在又是何等的光景呢？如果我们疼爱子女过于看重圣经的真理；如果我们放任子女凭己意而行，不加以阻拦和引导；如果我们自己对神的话语都眼目昏花，看不分明。我们又怎能心安理得地过好像没事儿发生的日子呢？我们是否愿意像撒母耳那样，一听到耶和华的呼唤就回答说：“你呼唤我，我在这里。……请说，仆人敬听！“

撒母耳记上第四章讲述了耶和华的约柜被掳，以利的死和他儿媳难产致死的过程。这让我想起了参孙被非利士人捉拿时的情景，他凭着血气，任行己路，以至于耶和华何时离开他都不知道。以色列人自恃有约柜便能打败敌人，却不知耶和华的荣耀已经离开以色列。

祷告：施怜悯的父啊！求您让我们来到您的宝座前，让我们的祷告直达您的耳边; 不要让罪蒙蔽了我们的双眼，遮盖我们的心眼; 求您开启我们的耳朵，听见您的呼唤; 求您赐给我们顺服的心，快快地回答 “你呼唤我，我在这里“。当我们亏缺您的荣耀时，求您让我们知道，并速速悔改。让我们都把儿女带到您面前，以您的法则和心意实行管教，以免得罪您。求您免去我们的羞愧！ 阿 们

Sandy Xu

1 Samuel 2:1-36

There are two clear attitudes depicted and contrasted in this second chapter of 1 Samuel. There is the one who loves, reveres and glorifies the LORD. And there are the ones who dishonor and disregard Him, treating Him with contempt. The LORD sees the hearts of all men and He brings to each their due.

1 Samuel 2 begins with Hannah’s song of praise to the LORD who has heard her prayer and granted her a son. It is evident in her song that her joy is not on account of receiving what she wanted, but rather receiving the LORD himself. He is the source of her joy. He is the source of her strength. It is His character that causes the song to well up in her and praise His name. Her heart exults in the LORD and her rejoicing is on account of salvation through Him (v.1). He is a God that exalts the weak and brings low the proud, the God that turns the tides of those who suffer and satisfies those who thirst and hunger for Him (v.5, 7). He is the Sovereign of all the world and He protects the faithful while punishing the wicked (v.8-9). There is none that can stand against Him for He will judge all (v.10). Hannah worships the LORD in song because He is good and because she has tasted and seen His goodness. The LORD sees her faithfulness to Him and her true worship and continues to bless her with more children (v.21).

Not so the sons of Eli, the priest of the temple in which Samuel serves. In stark contrast, Eli’s two sons are described as “worthless men” who “did not know the LORD” (v.12). Though serving as His priests in His holy temple, carrying the honor of interceding for the Israelites and mediating between God and man, they “treated the offering of the LORD with contempt,” seeking good for themselves at the expense of obeying God’s commands. Their actions dishonored God, drawing His wrath and attention to their wickedness. Just as the LORD sees Hannah’s worshipful heart, He also sees the sinful hearts of Eli’s sons, for it says their sins were “very great in the sight of the LORD” (v.17). Eli, too, is not without guilt. Though he rebukes his sons for their behavior and attempts to curb their poor behavior, it is clear that in his heart, his sons hold a higher place than the LORD. Eli is confronted by a man of God who accuses him of honoring his sons above God, even after the LORD chose him, his fathers, his tribe for the privilege to be His priests. Even in light of such a great honor, one that relies fully on the grace of God and no merit of their own, Eli and his sons fail to honor God above all else, choosing their own glory and honor over the LORD God almighty (v.27-29). This, too, the LORD sees, and this, too, the LORD will repay.

There will be consequences for their sins, as there always are. The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23) and death is proclaimed for Eli’s sons. Furthermore, the house of the Levites will be replaced by one who will faithfully keep the holy commandments given by God, honoring Him as the LORD and serving Him from a pure heart.

The LORD sees our hearts. Man can be deceived. Masks can be worn. Parts can be played. But nothing is hidden from the LORD. He is constant in His nature. The God of Hannah and the God of Eli and his sons is the same God we serve today. He remembers the faithful. He exalts the lowly because they trust in Him, because they exult and rejoice in His salvation. But those who refuse and reject Him, those who in their hearts hold him in contempt and disregard, they will see the wrath of God. Let us examine our hearts continually. Let us not become complacent or comfortable, making excuses for our sins or pretending that we can hide anything from the LORD. He is our Creator and He is our Lord and Savior. He knows our hearts and longs for us to know Him, for then we shall praise Him with joy and thanksgiving when we have tasted and seen His goodness.

—Jessica Sun

撒母耳记上 1:1-28

本章的主要内容是撒母耳的出生。哈拿受丈夫的宠爱，却没有孩子。这个情形有点像雅各与拉结，尽管雅各非常爱拉结，却很久都生不出孩子。圣经中一些重要人物的出生似乎都经历等待，像以撒、雅各、约瑟、参孙、撒母耳。与拉结不同的是，哈拿没有采用人的办法、人的道理（给丈夫纳妾）去解决问题，却是进到神的殿里，在耶和华面前流泪祷告。我想在人生遇到难事时，心内愁苦时，我们都应该像哈拿一样，俯伏在神的面前祈祷。这真的很难，是我们基督徒一辈子的功课，因为我们常常靠着肉身和血气，按照世界的道理去解决问题，反而把问题搞得更加复杂、糟糕。

在哈拿的祈祷中，她应许将孩子终身归于耶和华，这是对我们父母很好的教导。我们做家长的，到底要把孩子归于谁呢？我们不把孩子归于耶和华，就是把孩子归于了黑暗掌权的世界。这里没有第三条道路可走。我记得曾经邀请前同事带孩子去教会，她拒绝了，并且说：不，这个我要等我孩子长大了自己决定。当他们把孩子送去一个个早教班、兴趣班时，当他们为孩子挑选入学的学校时，他们又何曾尊重孩子的决定呢？为什么这上好的福分就不给孩子呢？我感叹哈拿的信心和行为，她因着信，为撒母耳拣选了那上好的福分，是这个世界所不能夺去的。

哈拿的信心是大的，因为她并不知道在撒母耳之后自己会不会再有孩子，但是她依然依照自己所许的愿，在小撒母耳断奶后，就将他带到示罗耶和华的殿，终身归于耶和华。撒母耳后来成长为以色列历史上最伟大的士师，也是以色列从士师时代进入王国时代的关键人物。我想我们做母亲的当向哈拿学习，将孩子从小带到教会，学习圣经，服侍教会，让他们从小明白当走的路，不偏左右。

—Mary Mei

Psalm 64:1-10

Key Verse:(Psalm 64:9) All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.

Men’s Plot and God’s Work

‘Cunning’ was used by the poet to describe human mind and heart. They plotted to go against God and harm others with ‘perfect plans’. The poet was oppressed and he cried out to the Lord for His protection and deliverance.

God’s ways and thoughts are higher than men’s. He is the one to judge and woe to those who establish with bloodshed by injustice. The rod of His anger ends up with under the wrath as well. God’s work is to be accomplished and all should proclaim I
His work and give Him the glory.

Lord, may we turn our eyes upon Christ and the salvation work done by Him; better or worse, may we rejoice and find rest in you and you alone.

Ruth 4:1-22
Key Verse:(Ruth 4:22) Obed the father of Jesse, and Jessie the father of David.

Beautiful Things Done In God’s Way

Chapter 3 illustrated the bold move from Naomi and Ruth; now in chapter 4 Boaz took the initiation and fulfilled the responsibility according to the laws. Many beautiful things were accomplished:
Naomi, a widow with no sons, was renewed and her family name remained in the record.
Ruth, a gentile woman, was recognized and found a home in Israel.
Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer, got blessed with the offerings that led to King David and ultimately, the Messiah.
Salvation for mankind, God’s glorious plan, was in progress according to His love, grace, and power.

Lord, thank you for your words and your mercy for us. May us be reminded that all goodness comes from you and may us be obedient servants of yours for your kingdom. Amen.

— Ivy Lin

路得記 3:1-18

圣经路得记第三章給我们回答了这样一个问题：如何去做合乎主的心意的事？通过一位赞美上帝的老妇人，一位专心倚靠上帝的女子和一位敬畏上帝的男人，凭借对上帝全能的信心，运用智谋来完成主让他们成全的事。

婆婆拿俄米感受到了上帝的仁慈，又从新充满了盼望，为了家族的延续，为了给儿媳寻找一个可靠的安身之处，制定了一个十分周详的计划；儿媳路得在执行婆婆的计策时，也很高明地运用了自己的计谋，直接了当的向一位至近亲属的男子寻求＂衣襟遮盖＂，从而来缔结婚姻的盟约；再来看义人波阿斯在听到路得请求时自我克制，在午夜时分与一位求爱的女子独处时，首先想到的是要明确自己的身份排位，做出尽本份的允诺，然后运用智谋很周到地做好保护女子名誉的措施，并慷慨地给予粮食援助；所有人的计谋成全了后，重点在于拿俄米的话：你只管安坐等侯，看这事怎样成就。凭着信心各尽本分后，也是圣灵吿诫每一位基督徒的，在安息中等待，主必定会以自己的方式自己的时间来成就。

我们说的：谋事在人，成事在天，也就是这个意思用自己的心尽自己的本份去做合乎神的心意的事，要靠智慧，更要全心倚靠我们的信心。当前国内抗击病毒感染正日趋激烈，我的母亲城市上海这样具有2400万人口的超大城市，要控制病毒的传播何其困难，只能靠坚强的信心和充分的督慧来实现，目前普遍采用的封闭方式就是这样一很好的计谋，套用一位网红医生说的话，就是大家要闷在家里十四天，闷死病毒，窝在家里也是一场战斗。盼望能闷成功，相信在这一场没有硝烟的战斗中，一定有神的心意安排，神的恩典一定会降临！

—Hua Xin