I've observed that some modern Christian denominations, such as Hillsong and others influenced by contemporary worship culture, often conduct services in dark or dimly lit environments, sometimes using stage lighting, fog machines, and concert-like atmospheres. This seems to contrast with more traditional worship settings, which tend to be well-lit and minimalistic. A possible justification might come from 1 Samuel 16:7, which says: >*“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (NIV)* My question is: Do denominations that worship in darker environments use 1 Samuel 16:7 to justify this style, emphasizing internal sincerity over external aesthetics?

The Orthodox Study Bible's OT translation (produced by the St. Athanasius Academy) is based on the Septuagint, instead of being primarily based on the Masoretic text like most English translations of the Bible. The text of 1 Samuel 17:4 in the Septuagint lists Goliath's height as "four cubits and a span" (roughly 6'9''), contrasting with "six cubits and a span" (roughly 9'9'') in the Masoretic text. The OSB follows the Septuagint in its translation, but the footnote says: > Goliath is over nine feet tall. This is accurate regarding the Masoretic text, but not the Septuagint. Is it a mistake? Or are they following St. Augustine's interpretation of differences between the Septuagint and the Hebrew text? I.e. that the Hebrew text is historically accurate, but that the Greek is also divinely inspired and contains symbolical significance (*City of God* Book 18, chapter 43-44 ). There could also be another explanation I've not thought of.

We read in 1 Samuel 31 how Saul, his sons and generals killed themselves rather than surrender to Philistines. The valiant men of Israel retrieved their dead bodies ,burned them and buried the bones under a tamarisk tree in Jabesh. Elsewhere, we see prominent men of Israel getting buried on their death. It is not clear why Israelites chose to cremate the dead body of Saul. What explanation do scholars offer for the same ? Inputs from any denomination are welcome.

When were Aaron's budded rod and the golden jar of manna still with the ark? When Solomon built his temple the only thing in the ark was the stone tablets. But if the Philistines took them, how would the Philistines able to open the ark if you died touching it?

In 1 Samuel chapter 8 we see an aged Samuel giving his sons authority to judge Israel. His sons did not act with integrity and the leaders of Israel come asking Samuel to set a king over them like the nations surrounding them. Samuel is distressed over this request and prays to the Lord, who replies: > Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. - 1 Samuel 8:7b We see, then, a clear demonstration that the presiding over Israel of a human king is a tacit rejection of God as King. That is to say that God's intention, His highest ideal for Israel is as a theocracy rather than a monarchy: God as King speaking through his prophets. *Note: Even the implementation of the prophetic office was a condescension to the fearful request of the people (Exodus 20:19).* The monarchy, even under God's anointed king, David, is a graceful condescension (and not without consequence) to a wayward and idolatrous people: > According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. - v. 8-9 We know that Jesus Christ is given to sit on the throne of his father David and reign as King forever: > He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. - Luke 1:32-33 We also know that Jesus' kingdom is not a worldly kingdom: > My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. - John 18:36 Since Jesus' kingdom is not of this world and the throne of that kingdom is David's throne it stands to reason that David's kingdom was not ultimately of this world either. It was, to use the language of John 17:14-16, in this world but not of this world. Looking back to 1 Samuel we see that it is God's kingdom and God's place on the throne thereof that was rejected. Therefore, since God's kingdom and throne are everlasting, we may say that all human kings (good or bad) sitting on that throne reigned as proxies because God, Himself, was rejected as king. For those who believe that Jesus is less than or other than God (whether merely human or a lesser created being), how does a non-God Jesus sitting as King correct the rejection of God as King that began in Samuel's day and continues even now? In other words, if a proxy King is indicative of the problem of God's being rejected, how is that problem solved by yet another proxy King?

Heard one preacher teaching on 1 Samuel 16 that when the prophet came to annoint another king in the house of Jesse he actually tried to pour oil on David's brothers but it would not come out until he came to David KJV 1 Samuel 16 : 1 >And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. Tried to search for this information in 1 Samuel 16 but couldn't find it. Got me thinking whether this was from some extra biblical source. Could be someone has an idea on this source?

As I was going through the book of Samuel I came across an interesting comment from EGW concerning the commissioning of Samuel. According to the comment below Samuel was commissioned at twelve years "4. Samuel Commissioned When Twelve Years Old.--When but twelve years old, the son of Hannah received his special commission from the Most High (ST Dec. 15, 1881). {2BC 1010.6}" In the biblical narrative, we are first told that after the child had been weaned he was taken to Shiloh KJV 1 Samuel 1:24 >***And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her*** with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young. Then after he had been weaned we are told that he continued to minister as a child before God. KJV 1 Samuel 2:18 >But Samuel ministered before the LORD, ***being a child***, girded with a linen ephod. Then the Lord finally appeared to him and commissioned him but we are told how old he was by then. KJV 1 Samuel 3:21 >And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD. How does the SDA understand that he was twelve when commissioned?

By an [Occam's razor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor) interpretation of 1 Samuel 28, I mean an interpretation that is as straightforward as possible, which doesn't require making unnecessary assumptions or special pleadings in the way the passage is interpreted. For example, if the author says literally and plainly that "X happened", well, the straightforward interpretation is that X happened and that's it. Applying this to 1 Samuel 28 ESV (pay attention to the bold text): > In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army.” 2 David said to Achish, “Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.” > > 3 **Now Samuel had died**, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. 4 The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” > > 8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.” 9 The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?” 10 But Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” 11 Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” **He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”** 12 **When the woman saw Samuel**, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.” 13 The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” 14 He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” **And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage**. > > 15 **Then Samuel said to Saul**, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” 16 **And Samuel said**, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 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. 19 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.” > > 20 Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of **the words of Samuel**. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. 21 And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. 22 Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.” 23 He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. 24 Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it, 25 and she put it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night. Assuming that 1 Samuel 28 is inspired text and that the author is telling us about events as they actually happened, a straightforward interpretation of the passage reveals the following facts: - Samuel was already dead (v3) - Saul asked the medium to invoke Samuel (v11) - The medium saw Samuel (v12) - Saul was convinced that it was Samuel (v14) - Samuel spoke to Saul (v15, v16) - The words that were spoken were from Samuel (v20) As we can see, the author is telling us, literally and plainly, that Samuel spoke to Saul. An Occam's razor interpretation of this passage should therefore lead us to conclude that, if the author is telling us that Samuel spoke to Saul (even though he was already dead), then, well, Samuel spoke to Saul. As simple as that. That's literally, unambiguously stated in the text. And keep in mind that this is not a Parable or other kind of passage full of symbolic language that would warrant having second thoughts on the meaning of words. ### Question According to 'soul sleep' adherents, what's wrong with this straightforward approach to 1 Samuel chapter 28? If the author is telling us that "X happened", what's wrong with concluding that "X happened"? If this "Occam's razor" interpretation of 1 Samuel 28 is not justified, are there any other examples of non-parabolic, non-symbolic passages in which a similar straightforward interpretation is not justified? Is there a hermeneutical principle that justifies not always being straightforward in our interpretation of a non-symbolic, non-parabolic passage?

Samuel appears only outside the book of Judges, and in my skimming of the first few chapters of 1 Samuel he isn't actually called a judge (just a prophet) yet I often hear him called a judge elsewhere. What is the justification for doing so?

Is there any extra-Biblical evidence that the Ark of the Covenant resided at Shiloh during the time of 1 Samuel 4?

In 1 Samuel 22:20-23, we see that Ahimelech was killed by the order of Saul and his son Abiathar escaped: > 20 But one son of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped > and fled after David. 21 Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the > priests of the LORD. 22 Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that > day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. > I have brought about the death of every person in your father’s > household. 23 “Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my > life seeks your life, for you are safe with me.” However, in 2 Samuel 8:17, Ahimelech is referenced as one of David's priests, and the *son* of Abiathar: >17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary, Obviously both can't be true, but I can't seem to find any compelling information that would explain this reversal of names.

> Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brother, and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward." > > 1 Samuel 16:13 And Samuel words saying to Saul on the effect of anointing with oil is; > Then Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said, Has not the Lord anointed you to be Prince over his people Israel. > > 1 Samuel 10:1 Did the Apostles in the Upper Room followed this tradition that Prophet Samuel did to Saul and David for them to be anointed as Prince of the People of Israel? If the answer is Yes, who among the Apostles have the authority to confer the Anointing? Or is there someone present in the Upper Room worthy and have the authority to confer the "anointing" among the Apostles? Peter although Jesus entrusted him with the Keys to His Kingdom, in the Upper Room Peter also was not yet "anointed" and he cannot pass on the anointing on which in the first place he did not possessed it yet. It would seem to appear that only the Theotokos (i.e. The Blessed Virgin Mary) was already "filled with Holy Spirit" and the only person capable of performing the tradition performed by prophet Samuel to Saul and David.

I am currently editing a children's book of biblical stories. In the story of Samuel, the book says that Samuel went to live with Eli in the house of the Lord. 1 Samuel 3: 1-4 ([NIV](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+3%3A1-4&version=NIV)) : >1 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. At the time, the house of the Lord was the tabernacle in Shiloh. So did the priests, like Eli, live in the tabernacle itself? But there were many priests, where did they live?

In 1 Samuel 13, Saul is king and yet performs priestly duties even though he shouldn't have. Samuel rebukes Saul and tells him that his kingdom is slowly coming to an end because of his disobedience. My question is: where in the Bible is it established that a person could not hold both the positions of king and priest? Some other information that may or may not be interesting: 1) Melchizedek appears to Abram in Genesis 14 as BOTH priest and king. 2) Of course, Jesus fulfills both roles as the true Priest and true King. 3) The role of king of Israel wasn't established until the time of Saul and David, so during the writing of the Mosaic Law, kingship should not have been a thing. Were kings mentioned in the law? (if so, why?)

1st Samuel 15, Saul disobeys God but the Bible says that God is Merciful also He commanded that "Thou shall not kill". Why did He ask Saul to kill all the Amalekite people without sparing their livestock too. I mean that really sounds Wicked to me asides it contradicting the commandment. How is God Merciful? If He's sending Israel to kill her enemies when Jesus commands we love and pray for our enemies or for not stopping Jephtah from sacrificing his daughter(a ram was provided in the case of Isaac). How is this bloodbath Mercy or rather How is He still a Merciful God? > **P.S.** An in depth answer would be appreciated

Why was the sacrifice offered by Saul at Gilgal rejected by God while obviously the sacrifices of David and Solomon at a later time were evidently accepted? Did it have anything to do with the death of Samuel?

In 1st Samuel 28 , Saul gets the witch of Endor to summon Samuel back from the dead. Is this really Samuel or some demon impersonating Samuel? If it is the real Samuel here, how does this woman have the power to pull Samuel from Abraham's bosom (re: the story of Lazarus) back into this world?

It is stated in 1 Samuel 13:19-22 that Saul's army didn't have any swords or spears, due to the Philistines "not allowing" Israeli blacksmiths. > Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land > of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make themselves > swords or spears.” But every one of the Israelites went down to > the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his > sickle, and the charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the > plowshares and for the mattocks, and a third of a shekel for > sharpening the axes and for setting the goads. So on the day of > the battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any > of the people with Saul and Jonathan, but Saul and Jonathan his son > had them. (ESV) How did the Philistines achieve this? I assume this has to do with cost - what is the modern day equivalent of 2/3 or 1/3 of a shekel? Is there some other reason that Israel didn't arm themselves - or did they use mainly non-metal weapons?

The following verses about David and Jonathan's relationship have lead some to say their relationship was more than platonic. Is there any reason to think that was the case? > Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. (1 Samuel 18:1, NASB) > > Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. (1 Samuel 18:3, ESV) > > I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women. (2 Samuel 1:26, NIV)

Considering that Baptists generally believe that the soul of a faithful servant of God is immediately united with God upon death, how does the Baptist Church interpret 1 Samuel 28:8: > 8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you." 9 The woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?" 10 But Saul swore to her by the LORD, "As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing." 11 Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" He said, "Bring up Samuel for me." 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul." 13 The king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What do you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I see a god coming up out of the earth." 14 He said to her, "What is his appearance?" And she said, "An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe." And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage. - 1 Samuel 28:8-14 ESV From a Baptist perspective, was the medium actually summoning Samuel? If so, was he summoned back from a heavenly dwelling? > Then Samuel said to Saul, "**Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up**?" Saul answered, "I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do." - 1 Samuel 28:15 ESV