DBG - April 2 - I Samuel 15-16.

In this chapter Saul fails to destroy the Amalekites and is rejected as king.

vs. 1-5 – God instructs Saul to eradicate the Amalekites.  This nomadic tribe has been one of Israel’s deadliest enemies, often using what we would term as terrorist tactics.  God had already decided on their destruction in Deuteronomy 25:19. 

vs. 6-9 – Saul carefully spares the nomadic Kenites from being attacked. The campaign is a success in defeating the Amalekites, but it was not the total destruction that God had commanded.  King Agag is kept alive as a prisoner, and the best of the livestock was preserved.  It is also clear that some Amalekites escape because we will see them again.

vs. 10-35 – God reveals to Samuel that He has rejected Saul.  Samuel confronts Saul who claims that he has been obedient to the Lord’s commands. When pressed he blames the people.  Three reasons are given for his rejection as king: (1) he was proud, no longer “little in his own sight” (vs. 17), (2) he disobeyed clear commandments of the Lord (vs. 19), (3) he rejected the word of the Lord (vs. 23).  Samuel turns to leave Saul, who grabs hold of and rips Samuel’s robe.  Samuel says it is to signify that the kingdom was divided from Saul.  Saul is forced to repent incompletely, making a show of worshipping God.  Samuel kills Agag.  The king and the prophet will briefly interact in I Samuel 19, but no more substantive meetings take place between the two (except at Endor…).  Samuel, for his part, is brokenhearted and pours out his lament to the Lord in prayer.

In this chapter David is secretly anointed to be the next king of Israel.

vs. 1-13 – God commands Samuel to go and anoint one of Jesse’s sons at Bethlehem to be the king who replaces Saul.  Samuel is fearful to go, rightfully recognizing Saul’s growing paranoia.  Samuel arrives under the guise of making an offering there, but even the townspeople are afraid of Saul and question Samuel about his intentions.  Jesse presents his sons to Samuel, but the Lord tells him that the right one had not come yet.  Finally, the youngest son David is called from keeping the sheep and God marks him as the one to be king.  Samuel secretly anoints him to be king.  David is about 18 It will be 12 years before this comes to pass.

vs. 14-23 – This passage needlessly confuses some who want to place it after Chapter 17.  God’s empowering Spirit has been removed from Saul and he is afflicted with an evil spirit.  His servants seek out a skilled harp player to help soothe his melancholy.  They hear about David and go to take him to Saul.  Note the description in vs. 18 of David.  He is not a little child and is an experienced soldier.  I imagine Jesse’s heart sinking when he finds out that David is being summoned to Saul’s court.  David’s playing soothes Saul and David is integrated into the royal court.  Sometime between the end of this chapter and the beginning of the next David is sent home as war with the Philistines rages again.

Even from the start we mark just how remarkable David is.  He is handsome, a virtuoso on the harp, a songwriter, a shepherd, a warrior, and a courtier.  The hand of God’s blessing is certainly upon him.  But none of these natural talents are what make him so special.  We note two things.  First, in 16:17 note that God saw his heart and it was the primary reason for him being chosen.  Second, in 16:13 note that the Spirit of God empowered him in his endeavors.  Natural talents do not always equate to success, but those who trust in the Lord will see Him win great victories.   

Our hymn today, “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” by James Montgomery, looks beyond David to Christ, the Lord’s Anointed.

Hail to the Lord's Anointed!
Great David's greater Son;
Hail in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free;
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.

He comes with succour speedy,
To those who suffer wrong;
To help the poor and needy,
And bid the weak be strong;
To give them songs for sighing,
Their darkness turn to light;
Whose souls, condemn'd and dying,
Were precious in His sight.

By such shall He be feared,
While sun and moon endure,
Beloved, obey'd, revered;
For He shall judge the poor,
Through changing generations,
With justice, mercy, truth,
While stars maintain their stations
Or moons renew their youth.

He shall come down like showers,
Upon the fruitful earth,
And love, joy, hope, like flowers,
Spring in His path to birth:
Before Him, on the mountains,
Shall Peace, the herald, go;
And Righteousness, in fountains,
From hill to valley flow.

Arabia's desert-ranger
To Him shall bow the knee,
The Ethiopian stranger
His glory come to see:
With offerings of devotion,
Ships from the Isles shall meet,
To pour the wealth of ocean
In tribute at His feet.

Kings shall fall down before Him,
And gold and incense bring,
All nations shall adore Him,
His praise all people sing:
For He shall have dominion
O'er river, sea, and shore,
Far as the eagle's pinion
Or dove's light wing can soar.

For Him shall prayer unceasing,
And daily vows ascend;
His kingdom still increasing,
A kingdom without end:
The mountain-dews shall nourish
A seed in weakness sown,
Whose fruit shall spread and flourish,
And shake like Lebanon.

O'er every foe victorious,
He on His throne shall rest,
From age to age more glorious,
All-blessing and all-blest;
The tide of time shall never
His covenant remove;
His Name shall stand for ever,
That Name to us is--Love.