Wilderness of Paran

The Bible uses “Paran” in two senses: one referring to the Gentile prophet Balaam, and the other to the Wilderness of Paran. In Deuteronomy 1:1, “These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab,” the […]

Adullam Cave

Adullam is located in the Elah Valley, in the Shephelah hill country of Judah, on the road from Gath to Bethlehem. The “Cave of Adullam” refers to the caves near the city of Adullam. The vicinity of Adullam has many limestone caves, which are easy to defend and difficult to attack, providing a temporary hiding […]

David’s Flight

Due to David’s outstanding performance in battle, his popularity grew, which aroused Saul’s jealousy of David. David gradually suffered persecution and even pursuit by Saul. 1） 1 Samuel 18:10-24: Saul twice tried to kill David by spearing him and plotted against him, so David fled to Ramah to see Samuel, and Saul pursued him there. […]

The Five Valleys of the Shephelah Hills

The Shephelah hills are located between the Judean mountains and the Philistine coastal plain. Many seasonal riverbeds pass through here, flowing towards the plain, forming five major east-west oriented valleys. In ancient Israel, the Philistines were constant enemies of the Israelites. The Shephelah hills became a natural transportation route from the Philistine coastal plain into […]

David Anointed King

David was the eighth son of Jesse (though the genealogy in 1 Chronicles records David as Jesse’s seventh son; this discrepancy might be because one of David’s brothers died young and was not recorded in the genealogy). David was the youngest and least esteemed son in his family; he wasn’t given importance at home and […]

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

Samuel appointed Saul as king over the people. Saul was exceptionally outstanding in appearance, talent, and character. He was taller, stronger, and handsomer than anyone else, and a mighty warrior. Before becoming king, he could consider the feelings of others. When Samuel sought him out to anoint him king, he humbly said, “Am I not […]

Appointing a King

1 Samuel chapter 8 records that when Samuel grew old, all the elders of Israel gathered and came to him at Ramah, requesting Samuel to appoint a king to govern Israel for them, like all other nations. Samuel was displeased by their request and prayed to the LORD. God told Samuel to warn the Israelites […]

Israel in the Time of Samuel

Before Samuel was born, Israel had no king, and everyone did as they pleased. Its religious corruption was evident from the behavior of Eli the priest and his two sons. Israel was weak and struggling, and its primary foreign enemy was the Philistines, who constantly harassed them. The Philistines had been continually immigrating by sea […]

The Capture of the Ark of the Covenant

1 Samuel chapter 4 records that when the Philistines were about to attack the hill country of Ephraim in Israel, the Israelites reluctantly encamped at Ebenezer to meet them in battle. After an initial defeat, the Israelite elders decided to bring the Ark of God from Shiloh to the battlefield, hoping that the Ark would […]

Shiloh

Shiloh means “Peace,” “Resting Place,” or “Bringer of Prosperity.” It is located approximately 24 kilometers northeast of Ramah, where Samuel’s family lived. The city was built on a ridge, at an elevation of 803 meters, and surrounded by mountains on three sides with ample water. It was an excellent agricultural and pastoral area. In Joshua’s […]