1 Samuel 9 - 12 (10th April) - Sky

1 Samuel 9 – Samuel Anoints Saul

We have a new character in the book of Samuel and that’s Saul the first King of Israel even when it was displeasing to the Lord. What was interesting is how Saul first knew Samuel was when he was out looking for his lost donkeys. He was certainly not looking for a chance to become king. Similarly, Samuel was a small boy when God called him and later David was anointed king while tending sheep. It shows how God chose his people not necessarily those seeking power, but who God see is right.

Saul was a Benjamite the smallest tribe of Israel, the least of all clans of the tribe of Benjamin, naturally he was filled with doubts when Samuel said he was to be king.

Bombardment of doubts about ourselves comes to us daily when we serve God or even at work or school. Are we good enough? Are we smart enough? Or for myself am I mature enough to do God’s work? But it is written in the Great Commission, whether young, old, big, small we are commissioned to do God’s work, as our gesture of love to HIM.

1 Samuel 10
Samuel affirms Saul that he was to be the leader over the Lord’s inheritance and prophesizes the signs during the journey that Saul is about to take. He would receive the Spirit of the Lord, in power and whatever his hand finds to do, God will be with him.

Going down the chapter, the signs were fulfilled, and GOD changed Saul’s heart.
(Hearts can be changed in an instant; do u have a friend who needs God’s intervention in their hearts? Its time to ask and it be done)

But Saul hid the truth of his kingship from his uncle; it shows how doubt was still in him. When Saul was publicly chosen to be the first King of Israel he hid himself again showing the doubt in his heart. Following that Samuel explained the regulations of kingship. There to be some safeguards to regulate their sovereignty.

1 Samuel 11 – Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh

Soon Jabesh Gilead was attacked by Ammonites. Saul heard the weeping of the people and he responded with anger. Cutting a pair of oxen into pieces and sends them throughout Israel. The terror of the Lord galvanizes the nation and motivates the people to immediate obedience which enables Saul to muster an army so quickly. Before the battle, Saul proclaim to the men of Jabesh they will be saved. (A man of doubt transforming to a man of Faith) and the next day, it came true, slaughtering the Ammonites.

After the battle, Saul was reaffirmed as King on 2 reasons.
1. To unify the nations as there were still doubters
2. To solidify his role as King

1 Samuel 12 – Samuel’s Farewell Speech

As Samuel was getting old, he started off his speech with being publicly accountable, he gave the opportunity for anyone to stand up and testify that he had been dishonest. He retold the history of Israel going through the transition phases and repeatly the people have forgotten the Lord their God. But with mercy and grace the people of Israel were always delivered from the hands of the enemy.

Continuing on with that how they were wrong and did an evil thing when they asked for a King. But Samuel reaffirms them even with all these evil, do not turn away from the Lord. But continue serving God faithfully and fear Him.

The real issue of these 4 chapters was never who ruled the nation but who ruled in their hearts!

Josh once told me, Christianity is not Democratic but it’s a Monarchy.
If Obeying GOD is democratic,
1. We would give way to our flesh and sin
2. Giving them a foothold in our lives.
3. Having different morality in our lives
4. Not living in the standards of God
5. Sin will reign in your heart.

Give the Devil nothing and have no place in our hearts, but take from him everything!