Scripture

“How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord your God would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. Your kingdom must end for the Lord has sought after a man after his own heart.”

Observation

Saul’s son Jonathan leads a troop of 1000 men to victory over the Philistines. As a result, the Philistines hate the Israelites and plan a great counter-attack.

As the Philistines assemble, Samuel sends a message to Saul telling him to wait 7 days until Samuel can get there. Samuel doesn’t come when he said he would, so Saul sacrifices the offerings himself. Then Samuel arrives, and he rebukes Saul for his action. The kingdom will be handed over to a man after God’s own heart.

Application

It seems that Samuel was delayed in getting to the army camp, but not by much. Motivated by fair and perhaps arrogance, Saul offers the sacrifices himself.

The issue here is not the sacrifices, but Saul’s heart. He was tested and found wanting, so the kingship would be removed from him and passed on to someone after the Lord’s heart.

In many ways, Saul was a good king, but his heart was not surrendered to the Lord. David made many mistakes as king, but his heart was always close to the Lord.

This is so important to us in our walk with Jesus. The Lord doesn’t care whether you are successful in the ways of the world or not. He is not looking for history-makers and world-changers. He wants sons and daughters who give everything they are back to him.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the knowledge that all you want from me is to yield my life to you. Please help me to trust you with everything I am and all that I have. Amen.

Scripture

“Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him.”

Observation

Samuel addresses the people of Israel. He tells them that the king is now their leader. They testify that Samuel has never taken a bribe or cheated anyone.

Samuel reminds the people of their history. Despite the Lord being their God, they turned to idols repeatedly.

He calls on them and the king to follow the Lord so that all will go well with them. Even though they have rebelled by seeking a king, the Lord will not abandon them because they are His chosen people.

Application

Samuel remains convinced that in requesting a king, the people of Israel had rejected the Lord as their King. But he held out a promise. If they worship the Lord and reject idols then the Lord will bless them and look after them.

With the Lord, the door to mercy is always open. There is no sin too big or too egregious that the Lord will not forgive.

All that is necessary is the desire to walk in humble obedience with the Lord. We don’t have to be perfect to be forgiven; just acknowledge our imperfections. The Lord loves each one of us with an unquenchable love that is greater than any simple rebellion.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for this assurance that your love for me will never run out. Amen.

Scripture

Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he became very angry.

Observation

King Nahash of Ammon threatens the town of Jabesh-gilead. The people plead for peace with Nahash. He makes peace conditional on each man in the town having one eye gouged out. The elders of Jabesh ask for seven days to send for help from Israel. If nobody comes to help, they will submit.

When Saul hears about this, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, and he becomes very angry. He quickly mobilises an army of 330,000 men.

Saul launches a surprise attack against the Ammonites, slaughtering and scattering the whole army.

Application

Many Christians are afraid of anger, but here there is given a direct connection between the Holy Spirit and Saul’s anger.

Anger is bad when it is just about my perceptions about wrongs committed against me, especially if we allow it to consume us.

Anger, when it is a response to evil, can be a good thing. Anger can motivates us to take action to overcome injustice or cruelty, in ways that we normally would not consider.

The Spirit of God came upon Saul and made him very angry. He left his fields and in a few days mobilised an army to protect a vulnerable group. People were afraid of his anger and so responded rapidly to do the right thing.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to distinguish between good anger and selfish anger. May your Spirit provoke my emotions to motivate me to carry out your purposes. Amen.