〈撒母耳记上〉 8:6 撒母耳不喜悦他们说立一个王治理我们，他就祷告耶和华。
阅读经文：〈撒母耳记上〉 8:1-22
撒母耳在年老时，碰到了一件很不高兴的事。他终年奔波，在以色列四境巡行审判，终于把四分五裂的以色列人团结起来，并且国泰民安。原以为以色列人会很感谢他，却没有想到，以色列人不要他的儿子继续做士师，反而想要立王。但是撒母耳处事的方法和摩西一样，他虽然不高兴以色列人的要求，还是把事情呈到耶和华神的面前，让神去定夺，这就是对神的敬畏。
以色列人想要立王有两个原因，其一是他们很羡慕别人的国家有王的治理；其二，因为撒母耳的儿子们不行撒母耳的道，所以他们不服。所以人很难完美。撒母耳如此敬畏神，殷勤事奉神，但是他却看不到儿子们的倒行逆施，就像以利和他的两个儿子一样。他的儿子们贪图财利，收受贿赂，屈枉正直，以色列人怎么能对他们产生信心？
Jesus says to us what he said to the disciples on the stormy sea. “It is I, don’t be afraid” (John 6:20). The literal translation of what Jesus said is, “I AM, don’t be afraid.”
I AM. That’s God’s name. When we wonder if God is coming, he answers with his name, I AM. When we wonder if he is able, he declares, I AM. When we see nothing but darkness, feel nothing but doubt, and wonder if God is near or aware, the welcome answer from Jesus is this: I AM.
Pause for a moment and let him tell you his name. Your greatest need is his presence. Yes, you want this storm to pass. Yes, you want the winds to still. But yes, yes, yes, you want to know and need to know and must know that the great I AM is near. Remember friends, you are never alone.
〈撒母耳记上〉 7:12 撒母耳将一块石头立在米斯巴和善的中间，给石头起名叫以便以谢，说：「到如今耶和华都帮助我们。」
阅读经文：〈撒母耳记上〉 7:1-17
在〈士师记〉里的最后一个士师是参孙，接下来的士师是以利，再来是撒母耳，撒母耳是最后的一位士师。参孙生前和非利士人单打独斗了廿年，做了以色列人的士师廿年。但是参孙死后，以色列人依然去拜迦南人的偶像。我们不知道以利做四十年士师（撒上4:18）时有何作为，只知道他放纵两个儿子行恶，抢夺神的祭物，又和会幕前伺候的妇人苟合。有这样的祭司，百姓也不想去会幕献祭了，怎能敬拜神呢？因此情况就像〈士师记〉里说的：「那时以色列中没有王，各人任意而行。」当以色列人任意而行时，神就把他们交在仇敌手中，而此时的仇敌还是非利士人。
〈撒母耳记上〉 6:19 a 耶和华因伯示麦人擅观他的约柜，就击杀了他们七十人，那时有五万人在那里。
阅读经文：〈撒母耳记上〉 6:1-21
约柜在非利士地七个月，非利士人受尽了折磨，一点也没有得胜的欢乐。他们也有祭司和占卜的，来帮他们询问属灵的怪事。非利士人的祭司和占卜的能够明白神的心意，可见灵界之间是相通的。当年主耶稣赶鬼时，鬼也认得主耶稣是谁。神可以控制术士巴兰，也可以让非利士人的祭司和占卜者知道祂要的是什么。因此有时我们会读到：「你们要称谢万神之神，万主之主（诗136:1,2）」，这并不是说其他的灵也是神，而是说在万人中所崇拜的众多之灵（人口中的神）中，只有耶和华神才是万「神明」中的唯一真神。人虽以为自己拜的是「神」，其实都是一厢情愿罢了。它们何尝自认为神呢？就好像大衮一样，在约柜的面前断头断手，它岂能称得上是「神」？不过是一些叛变的天使出来惊吓人，欺骗人罢了。
Jesus’ disciples went down to the lake where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark. Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. The disciples were too far from the shore, too long in the struggle, too small against the waves. And Jesus was nowhere to be seen.
Have you ever encountered a dangerous, ominous, seemingly God-forsaken storm? Storms overtake us, and it sometimes seems they will never end. But then the unimaginable happens. John gives no details, just this economical statement. “They saw Jesus walking on the water” (John 6:19). That’s all we need to know. Before Jesus stills the storms, he comes to us in the midst of our storms. And he’ll come and meet you in yours. Remember friend, you are never alone.
〈撒母耳记上〉 5:9 运到之后，耶和华的手攻击那城，使那城的人大大惊慌，无论大小都生痔疮。
阅读经文：〈撒母耳记上〉 5:1-12
非利士人竟然敢抢走耶和华神的宝座，他们疯了吗？什么人的东西不好抢，去抢神的椅子？若有人抢你的椅子，你会不会去抢回来呢？那当然囉！只有偶像才会坐着不动，任人搬来搬去！非利士人不认识耶和华神，他们以为约柜就是以色列人的神，所以他们也按着他们偶像崇拜的习惯，把约柜抬到大衮庙里。大衮是迦南人拜的偶像之一，它的形状是一个披着鱼皮的男人，或说是半人半鱼的东西，是非利士人的众神之首，被古代以色列人视为魔鬼，传言主管农业。
During World War I, Biddy Chambers, her husband, and small daughter moved to Egypt, where he served as a chaplain. He taught, she transcribed. It was a perfect partnership.
Then her husband’s complications from appendicitis rendered Biddy a widow, and all the dreams of a teaching ministry would have to be abandoned, right? Well, no. She turned her husband’s notes into pamphlets. Eventually, they were compiled into a book, My Utmost For His Highest. This work of Oswald Chambers has sold more than 13 million copies and has been translated into more than 35 languages.
The next time you feel overwhelmed, remind yourself of the one who is standing next to you. Give him what you have, offer thanks, and watch him go to work. Remember friends, you are never alone.
Do you face 15,000 problems? Before you count yourself out, turn and look at the One standing next to you. Christ can help you do the impossible. You simply need to give him what you have and watch him work.
John 6:11 says, “Jesus took the loaves.” This is the story of the day that Jesus fed the 5,000 men plus women and children. He didn’t have to use the loaves. He made manna fall for the Israelites. Instead, he chose to use the single basket of the small boy.
What’s in your basket? All you have is a wimpy prayer, give it. All you have is a meager skill, use it. All you have is the strength for one step, take it. God used three nails and a crude cross to redeem humanity. If God can turn a basket into a buffet, don’t you think he can do something with your five loaves and two fishes of faith? Remember, you are never alone.
〈撒母耳记上〉 4:22 她又说：「荣耀离开以色列，因为神的约柜被掳去了。」
阅读经文：〈撒母耳记上〉 4:1-22
这是以利当士师的最后一役，以色列人出去与非利士人打仗。根据以斯拉网的资料：当以色列人离开埃及时，非利士人已经大量定居于埃及与迦萨之间沿岸一带，因此以色列人被迫绕道内陆，以避开「非利士地的道路」（出13:17）。事实上，与非利士地毗连的地中海被称为「非利士海」（出23:31）。〈申命记〉2:23所指的迦斐托人也应该是这地区的非利士人。在约书亚的晚年，非利士人已经在迦萨、亚实基伦、亚实突、以革伦及迦特这五个城市建立了稳固的势力（书13:2-3）。
〈撒母耳记上〉 3:19 撒母耳长大了，耶和华与他同在，使他所说的话一句都不落空。
阅读经文：〈撒母耳记上〉 3:1-21
在撒母耳蒙召时，正值〈士师记〉的末期，也是以色列人信仰极其荒凉的时候。以利当大祭司，又做士师，却无法尽职，竟让他的儿子们在会幕里亵渎神、渺视神，以致百姓不愿意到会幕献祭，与神隔绝。假如牧者不尽职，讲道都随便讲，会友会不会一个个跑掉呢？这是必然的，因为百姓去会幕是想亲近神，却看到祭司有如强盗般的行为，无法亲近神，只好就不去了，也免得受气。牧者若不专心牧养会众，会众有如羊群，便会去别的地方找属灵的「草」吃了。
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