As we launch into week 2 in 1 Samuel, a lot happens in the life of Saul and in the life of the people of Israel. It doesn't take long for Saul to run into trouble as king and eventually God sends Samuel with the message that he has rejected him as king. We are introduced to a young shepherd boy, David, who, to the surprise of his family, is anointed king and then joins the battle against the Philistines against their best warrior, Goliath. While the story of David and Goliath is familiar, try to find something new in the story as you read it this week. Be sure to check out the blog for the guiding questions as you read. We enter our rhythm of LEARN-READ-INTERACT.

From How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens, Michael Williams makes these points about 1 & 2 Samuel:

Phrase: Exalted and humbled

Theme: God exalts the weak and humbles the proud.

Christ-Focus: God has exalted the humbled Christ (Philippians 2:5-11).

Implications: We should serve God in humility while we await our exaltation in Christ (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6).

Questions: What have you bragged about lately? Does the source of your pride focus on God, or on yourself?

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