Tag: Philistines

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Wisdom Prayer

The Witch At En-dor

The Witch At En-dor

 

In 1 Samuel 27, we learn David fled Saul, and David and his men went to live with the Philistines.

It is during this time that the Philistines decide to amass an army against Israel.

Because the Lord had cut off communication with Saul, Saul was unable to get advice about how to fight this opposing army. That is when Saul decided it best to consult a medium.

God forbade communicating the dead and other practices.

Even though Saul, himself, had banned mediums and the necromancers. Those are people who use witchcraft and sorcery. Saul goes to a witch and she brings to life the dead prophet, Samuel.

It is here that Saul learns his fate. 1 Samuel 28:18-19 (ESV) has part of the message Saul through the medium gives Saul.

“Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”

There are lessons here.

Do not be tempted to consult a fortune teller.

Leave the area if others ask you to play with a Ouija board.

If you have used a fortune teller or a Ouija board, ask God’s forgiveness and turn away from these practices. Trust God!

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Wisdom Prayer

Seek The Lord’s Guidance!

Seek The Lord’s Guidance!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who seek your guidance before taking action. In Jesus’ name, amen.

We learn in 1 Samuel 23:1-5 (ESV) David sought you wisdom prior to taking action.

“Now they told David, ‘Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.’ Therefore David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go and attack these Philistines?’ And the Lord said to David, ‘Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.’ But David’s men said to him, ‘Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?’ Then David inquired of the Lord again. And the Lord answered him, ‘Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.’ And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.”

Rather than David taking matters into his own hands, notice how David continued to seek advice from the Lord. He also asked for clarification.

It could be said that David received his marching orders from the Lord.

Is the Lord involved in your decision making? Although your circumstances are different, do you ask the Lord to give you direction and ask for clarification if you are ever unsure?

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Wisdom Prayer

Issues with the In-laws!

Issues with the In-laws!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who have issues with their in-laws. In Jesus’ name.

King Saul was going to have David marry his daughter Merab, but before that happened she was given to someone else.

In 1 Samuel 18:20-23 (ESV) we learn Saul had another daughter, but Saul had ulterior motives.

“Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. Saul thought, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, ‘You shall now be my son-in-law.’ And Saul commanded his servants, ‘Speak to David in private and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now then become the king’s son-in-law.’ And Saul’s servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, ‘Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and have no reputation?’”

King Saul made it known that although David did not have the money to pay a bride-price, in exchange Saul would have David bring the evidence of the death of one hundred Philistines. David brought evidence of the death of two hundred Philistines, so it says in 1 Samuel 18:27 (ESV) “Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife.”

1 Samuel 18:28-30 (ESV) we learn David’s being Saul’s son-in-law did little to change Saul’s attitude toward David.

“But when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually. Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.”

The Lord is with David. Saul promises David one of his daughters. That daughter is given to another. Saul’s other daughter loves and marries David. David’s reputation as a soldier grows. Saul becomes David’s enemy.

Most people do not face these kinds of issues with their in-laws. Do pray for marriages where relationships with in-laws are strained.

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Wisdom Prayer

Avoid Making Rash Vows!

Avoid Making Rash Vows!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who avoid making rash vows. In Jesus’ name, amen.

After the Philistine camp was in chaos, Saul was about to make what the English Standard Version calls in its heading, “Saul’s Rash Vow.”

1 Samuel 14:24-30 (ESV) provides context for what happened.

“And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people had tasted food. Now when all the people came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground. And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright. Then one of the people said, ‘Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food this day.’’ And the people were faint. Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great.”

Jonathan, unaware of his father’s oath, violated the oath by tasting the honey. Saul’s vow carried the weight as the king. What he said, was like the law of the land.

It is easier said than done…avoid making any statements that may later be regretted.

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Wisdom Prayer

Unwise Decisions!

Unwise Decisions!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who have made unwise decisions. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Saul was waiting for Samuel seven days to arrive, so Samuel could make a sacrifice. Saul grew increasingly impatient because Samuel did not come. Finally, Saul took matters into his own hands, and Saul does the offering himself.

1 Samuel 13:8-14 (ESV) explains the situation and the consequences.

“He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. So Saul said, ‘Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.’ And he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ And Saul said, ‘When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.’ And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.’”

This one unwise decision to move ahead with the sacrifice without Samuel cost Saul his kingdom.

Ask the Lord to show you what unwise decisions have you made.

Ask the Lord, if it is appropriate, to allow you to make amends.

At the very least, do not continue to make the same or similar unwise decisions.

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Wisdom Prayer

Ebenezer!

Ebenezer!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are like Samuel and set up stones and alters to the Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Philistines were thrown into confusion and defeated by the soldiers of Israel as described in Samuel 8:10-11.

We learn in 1 Samuel 7:12-14 (ESV) how Samuel set up a memorial.

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen[a] and called its name Ebenezer;[b] for he said, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.’ So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.”

We also learn that Samuel set up an alter in 1 Samuel 7:15-17 (ESV).

“Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places. Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to the Lord.”

Have you ever set up or thought of setting up a memorial to remind yourself what God has done? We have reminders all around us of how God has blessed us including people, places, and things. How can you be more mindful of commemorating God’s miracles in your life?

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