John Hall

“His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.” 1 Samuel 8:3 We’re introduced to our Reading Today with this sentence “And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel.” Normally, this would be a logical […]

“When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us take to ourselves from Shiloh the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies.”” 1 Samuel 4:3

“As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk.” 1 Samuel 1:13 As the Book of 1st Samuel opens, we are introduced to Samuel’s Dad, Elkanah. We’re told he has 2 wives, Hannah and Peninnah (Peninnah has children

“Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land.” Ruth 1:1a Today’s reading brings me to the Book of Ruth, and this Verse is how it begins. It is truly an Amazing Story! From this famine, to Ruth’s encounter with Boaz, God’s Hand of Providence

“But the sons of Benjamin would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the sons of Israel.” Judges 20:13b This is the last story in the Book of Judges and one cannot read it without shaking the head in disbelief. An entire tribe refuses to turn over individuals guilty of gang rape and murder.

“In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 17:6 This is the Theme Verse of Judges. It is repeated in 21:25 and alluded to several times throughout the Book. As I’ve stated in earlier writings, Judges is a collection of Sad and Sordid

“Then Samson went down to Timnah and saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines.” Judges 14:1 Today’s Verse begins the sad and sorry tale of Samson, a man God chose to rule His People, but one of questionable character and virtue. He grew up during a time one could call

“Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your distress.” Judges 10:14 As the Book of Judges continues, a pattern begins to develop that we see in our reading today. God raises up a Judge that keeps the People of God faithful to their