Theme: Facing the enemy. God and his servants can expect opposition. In the First Lesson Samuel and the Lord experience flack because the people want a king. In the Second Lesson Paul continues to be pummeled by all sorts of enemies and by the weakness of his body. In the Gospel Jesus discovers that his opponents are not only the scribes but his own family, who regard him as crazy.

COMMENTARY

Lesson 1: 1 Samuel 8:4-20 (11:14-15) (C)
The people plead with Samuel to obtain a king for them so that they might be similar to all the other countries about them which had kings. The request displeases Samuel; he considers it a rejection of the Lord. Nevertheless, he prays to God about it. The Lord too feels the rebuff of the people but agrees to give them what they want. Only he charges Samuel t…