Among His Verses

Saul, the Medium of Endor, and the Silence That Points to Christ Saul Seeks Darkness Because He Rejected the Light 1 Samuel 28 is one of the darkest and most emotional chapters in the Old Testament. Saul, once chosen by God to lead Israel, now stands terrified before the Philistine army. But the real tragedy is not the army in front of him — it is the silence from heaven above him. The chapter begins with Saul desperately seeking guidance from God. Yet Scripture says the Lord did not answer him “by dreams or Urim or prophets.” The man who once stood among prophets now cannot hear God at all. Instead of repenting, Saul turns toward darkness. He disguises himself at night and visits the medium of Endor — a woman who communicates with the dead. Ironically, Saul himself had previously removed mediums from the land in obedience to God’s law. Now he secretly becomes the very thing he once condemned. This is what sin does. It slowly pulls a person farther from the voice of God until desp...

1 Samuel 16 — God Looks at the Heart, and Christ Is Revealed 1 Samuel 16 is one of the most powerful turning points in Scripture. Saul’s kingdom is fading, and God quietly begins raising up the true king. But this chapter is far bigger than David alone. Hidden inside the anointing of a shepherd boy is a prophetic shadow of Jesus Christ — the true Shepherd King who was still to come. God rejects human appearance, chooses the overlooked, fills David with the Holy Spirit, and begins preparing Israel for a greater kingdom. Every moment points forward to Christ. If you missed the previous chapters leading into Saul’s downfall, read: 1 Samuel 13 — Saul’s disobedience and unlawful sacrifice 1 Samuel 15 — Saul rejected as king after disobeying God Deuteronomy 17 :15 — God would choose Israel’s king Himself Genesis 49 :10 — the prophecy of the ruler coming through Judah David’s story begins here, but the shadow of Jesus stands behind every verse. 1 Samuel 16 Explained Samue...

1 Samuel 13 Explained — Saul Failed, But Jesus Never Would The story of 1 Samuel 13 is not just about Saul making a mistake. It is about humanity’s inability to fully obey God without a perfect King. Saul was chosen by the people, but Jesus Christ was chosen by the Father. This chapter exposes the weakness of earthly leadership and points directly to the coming of the true eternal King — Jesus Christ. In this chapter, fear overcomes faith, impatience replaces obedience, and Saul loses favor before God. Yet hidden inside the failure of Saul is one of the clearest revelations of Christ as the perfectly obedient King who would never fail His Father. Before reading this chapter, revisit how Israel demanded a human king in 1 Samuel 8 , where the people rejected God’s direct rule over them. That rejection ultimately foreshadows humanity’s need for a Savior greater than any earthly ruler. Saul’s rise in 1 Samuel 9 and anointing in 1 Samuel 10 already hinted that something was wrong beneat...

Jesus Revealed in Samuel’s Final Warning 1 Samuel 12 Explained: A Nation Confronted, A Savior Revealed In 1 Samuel 12 , the prophet Samuel gives his farewell speech after Israel demands a king. Standing before the people, he calls them to account—not just for their actions, but for their hearts. This moment is more than history—it’s a mirror of humanity’s rejection of God, and a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the true King we all need . Samuel begins by reminding Israel that he has led them faithfully. He asks if he has ever wronged anyone—and the people confirm his integrity. This establishes something important: a righteous judge stands before a guilty people . 👉 This echoes Jesus Christ , the only sinless judge who stands before humanity (John 8:46). Israel Rejects God as King Samuel recounts how God delivered Israel again and again—from Egypt to their enemies in the Promised Land. Yet when trouble came, instead of trusting God, they demanded a human king. 👉 This connects...

1 Samuel 3 – Hearing the Voice of God and Finding Jesus in the Call of Samuel Before we arrive at 1 Samuel 3 , we must remember what happened in 1 Samuel 1 and 2 . Hannah, once barren, cried out to the Lord and God opened her womb, giving her Samuel—a miracle child dedicated fully to God. This points beautifully to divine birth themes later fulfilled in Christ. Just as Samuel was born through divine intervention and given to God’s service, Jesus came through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, fully dedicated to the Father’s will from the beginning. In 1 Samuel 2 , Hannah’s prayer prophetically magnified the Lord and foreshadowed Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1 , where both women rejoiced in God’s salvation. Eli’s wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas, corrupted the priesthood, while young Samuel ministered faithfully before the Lord. This contrast prepares us for chapter 3, where God begins raising a faithful voice in a time of spiritual darkness. The Word of the Lord Was Rare Scri...

1 Samuel 2 – Hannah’s Song, Samuel’s Calling, and the Coming King in Christ Before 1 Samuel 2, we saw Hannah in deep sorrow in 1 Samuel 1 , crying out before the Lord for a son. Her pain became prayer, and her prayer became prophecy. God remembered Hannah, and Samuel was born. This mirrors so much of the Gospel—where sorrow turns to joy, barrenness turns to fruitfulness, and prayer opens the door for divine purpose. Much like Elizabeth giving birth to John the Baptist and Mary carrying Jesus, Hannah’s miracle birth story points us forward to God’s greater redemptive plan. Samuel would prepare Israel for kings, but Jesus would come as the eternal King. Now in 1 Samuel 2 , Hannah responds not with pride—but with worship. Hannah’s Song: A Shadow of Mary’s Magnificat Hannah begins with one of the most powerful prayers of praise in Scripture: “My heart rejoiceth in the Lord…” (1 Samuel 2:1) This song closely resembles Mary’s praise in Luke 1:46–55 , often called the Magnificat. Both women w...