MONDAY, DECEMBER 5
Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:27-33

Hebrews 11 tells us that Samuel subdued kingdoms. But how did he subdue kingdoms? What Saul refused to do, Samuel did. 1 Samuel 15:27-33 says, “And as Samuel turned around to go away, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. So Samuel said to him, ‘The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.’ Then he said, ‘I have sinned; yet honor me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the Lord your God.’ So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord. Then Samuel said, ‘Bring Agag king of the Amalekites here to me.’ So Agag came to him cautiously. And Agag said, ‘Surely the bitterness of death is past.’ But Samuel said, ‘As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.’ And Samuel hacked Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.” Because of Samuel’s obedience, he was able to declare judgment on Saul’s disobedience. Samuel hacked Agag to pieces and in Hebrews 11 we are told to emulate Samuel who, through faith, subdued kingdoms. In obedience to God’s direction, Samuel had to do what Saul refused to. And when he did, he was given a great victory. Let us walk in obedience so we can see kingdoms subdued and nations won in the last days.