David's life summary is as straightforward as it is uplifting for anyone who's overwhelmed by life: I call upon the Lord, and he saves me.

The tragedy of King Saul’s death reminds us that all kings die and let us down, except for Jesus. Being in Christ means our allegiance is to a King who will never let us down and ours is a citizenship in a Kingdom where the poor are exalted and where there will be righteousness, justice, and peace—forever.

How do we live in the gap between what God has promised and what we see now?

This story shows us two ways to respond to God’s anointed: Don’t be Saul. Be Jonathan.

The story of David and Goliath isn’t really about David or Goliath. It’s about God’s commitment to vindicate his name by saving his people when they trust in him.

Samuel feared the Lord. Saul feared the Philistines, and even his own people. Who will you fear?

In the rise of Saul, God gave Israel the king they asked for, not the king they needed. But in his great mercy, he turns his judgment into their deliverance.

The God of Israel is too big to control, but he is big enough to help.

The line between those who know the Lord and those who do not is whether we hear the Word of the Lord and ignore it, or hear the Word of the Lord and embrace it.

The story of Hannah shows us what true faith looks like—the faith Israel would need in the mess they were in, and the faith we need to grab hold of what God has promised us.

1-2 Samuel show us why it’s such good news that Jesus has come as king. Judges shows us why we need a king in the first place.