1 Samuel 27 and 28 begin with David realizing that Saul will never truly accept him back. He does not believe Saul when he says that David will be safe. David takes his men and his household to Gath. He gains the favor of the king and is eventually given a town in which to live. The king of Gath is fighting with the Philistines against Israel and tells David that he is expected to fight with them. David agrees.

Saul becomes frightened by the gathering of the Philistine army. He comes to God but God does not answer him. Saul finds a medium at Endor and consults the spirit of Samuel. Saul wants to know what to do and Samuel tells him that God has turned against him because of his sin, just as God had promised. Samuel says that Israel will be delivered into the hands of the Philistines and Saul and his sons will die. Saul faints from fear and lack of food. The woman feeds him and he leaves.

Saul’s anointing is coming to an end. He turned his back on God and now God is turning His back on Saul. God is clearing the way for David to become king.

We have finished Mark and are beginning yet another New Testament letter. This letter is the first of two written to the church in Corinth. Corinth was a trade center, being at the crossroads of many trade routes. People from varied backgrounds live in Corinth. As they become Christians their varied backgrounds collide. Paul is trying to address the plethora of conflicts that have arisen in the Corinthian church.

In 1 Corinthians 1 Paul wastes no time dealing with the divisions in the church. The people have become Christians because of the missionary work of several men. The people have split into factions based upon who told them about the gospel.

Paul makes the point that the most important thing is the gospel message of Christ crucified. It goes against all human wisdom because it is the wisdom of God. God chooses that which is low, despised and powerless to shame the strong

We who are believers must remain united in the gospel because we were chosen not because of our qualifications but because of God’s grace. If one is going to boast, it is to boast of the Lord.