Hannah refused to eat at the feast during their pilgrimage to Shiloh. Elkanah was concerned about her and asked if she would eat something. She was full of anguish and arose from the table to pray again. She made a vow to God that if He would give her a son, she would give Him … Continue reading A Desire for a Son Fulfilled (I Samuel 1:8 – 28)
From Bitter to Pleasant (Ruth 4:13 – 22; 1 Samuel 1:1 – 7)
Ruth and Boaz were married, and thus Naomi's estate was redeemed. They had a child, and named him Obed. Obed would become the grandfather of David the king. Naomi took the child and became a nurse to him, and her days of bitterness were ended. She was again called Naomi, which means "pleasant." The … Continue reading From Bitter to Pleasant (Ruth 4:13 – 22; 1 Samuel 1:1 – 7)
Boaz Makes His Move (Ruth 4:1 – 12)
Boaz went up to the city gate and waited for the close relative to come by. Once he did, he asked if he would redeem the land belonging to Naomi and Elimelech. He agreed to buy it, but then Boaz informed him that the redeemer would need to take Ruth as a wife, too. At … Continue reading Boaz Makes His Move (Ruth 4:1 – 12)
A Girl Meets a Boy (Ruth 2 – 3)
Boaz is identified early in this passage as a rich relative of Elimelech. Ruth goes out to glean in the fields, and happens upon the fields of Boaz. He comes by to observe the harvesting and sees her, inquires as to her identity, and then instructs her not to glean in anyone else's fields but … Continue reading A Girl Meets a Boy (Ruth 2 – 3)
Naomi’s Bitter Turn of Events (Ruth 1)
During the era of the Judges, a famine occurred in the land of Israel. Elimelech took his wife, Naomi, and his two sons to Moab. His sons took wives from among the Moabites (descendants of Lot). While they lived there, Elimelech died. Naomi's sons, Mahlon and Chilion, married Orpah and Ruth. And Naomi's sons died … Continue reading Naomi’s Bitter Turn of Events (Ruth 1)
Wives for the Benjamites (Judges 21)
Once the other tribes of Israel took vengeance on Benjamin, only about 600 men remained of the tribe. The remainder of Israel wept bitterly and mourned over the fact that a tribe may be wiped out from Israel. They had sworn an oath not to provide Benjamin with wives from their daughters. Therefore, they had … Continue reading Wives for the Benjamites (Judges 21)
Gibeah’s Crime and Punishment (Judges 19:22 – 20:48)
As the Levite was being cared for by the old man in Gibeah, perverted men from the city came to his house, demanding access to him for sex. The old man offered them his virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine instead. They took the Levite's concubine and raped her all night, then let her go. … Continue reading Gibeah’s Crime and Punishment (Judges 19:22 – 20:48)
The Levites Concubine (Judges 19:1-21)
A Levite from Ephraim took a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. She played the harlot and went away from him to her father's house, staying there 4 months. The Levite pursued her, hoping to speak kindly to her and bring her back to his home. Her father liked him, and had him stay at his … Continue reading The Levites Concubine (Judges 19:1-21)
Dan Buys the Lie! (Judges 18)
In those days there was no king in Israel. This phrase comes up a few times in the book of judges. Israel, many times, by their actions rejected Yahweh as their King, and there was not yet an earthly king on the throne of Israel. So everything did as they felt that they should. In … Continue reading Dan Buys the Lie! (Judges 18)
Samson’s Final Victory and Micah’s Idolatry (Judges 16:23 – 17:13)
Samson was defeated, shaved and shackled. When we last left him, the Scriptures said he was led around by a little boy, but his hair began to grow. The Philistines made a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and rejoiced over the defeat of Samson. They called for him, that he might perform for them. … Continue reading Samson’s Final Victory and Micah’s Idolatry (Judges 16:23 – 17:13)
Devoted To You 