DBG - March 31- I Samuel 8-11

In this chapter the nation of Israel rejects God’s direct rule over them and requests a king to be over them.

vs. 1-3 – Part of the reason the people desire a king is because Samuel’s sons went bad just like Eli’s.  This is the only mark against Samuel, and possibly one he was set up for by being trained by Eli.

vs. 4-9 – The people desire a king and God tell Samuel that He will allow it.  Again, the desire for a king was prophesied in Deuteronomy 17 and provisions made for it.  Samuel wisely discerns that it is an act of rebellion against God, but it is one that God will work through for His Own glory.

vs. 10-18 – Samuel lays out what a monarchy will look like for the people.  It is not a positive one.  In fact, I believe it is one of the greatest speeches against rule by monarchy.  The people will lose their freedom, their children to royal service, and their wealth will be taxed.  The people simply do not understand the dark side of having a king.

vs. 19-22 – The people refuse to listen to Samuel’s warning and continue to clamor for a king.  Note that again Samuel takes the issue to God.  He is deeply a man of prayer.  God says He will set up a king, but the people should go home for now.  See Hosea 13:9-11 for insight into why God allowed it.

In this chapter we meet Saul, the man who will be anointed first king over Israel.

vs. 1-10 – Saul (“desired”) was of the small tribe of Benjamin.  He is about 40 years old. He is described as strong, handsome, and tall.  The average height around this time would be less than 5 ½ feet tall, so I think Saul is around 6 ½ feet tall.  We meet him as he is seeking lost donkeys that belonged to his father Kish (“a bow”).  Saul’s servant convinces him to check with the prophet Samuel since he is nearby. It is telling of his spiritual nature that this is a last option for Saul and that he does not know Samuel at all.  They have a gift of ¼ shekel of silver, roughly 1/10 of an ounce and about $7 in value today. 

vs. 11-24 – Saul arrives when a feast day is being observed.  It is curious why it would be held here and not at the Tabernacle, unless we remember that the Philistines likely damaged or destroyed it earlier  God reveals Saul to Samuel and marks him as the king to be.  Samuel tells him that his donkeys have already been found and that they should stay for the feast.  Saul is marked before the gathered worshippers by being served the largest portion of meat. 

vs. 25-27 – Samuel spends the night speaking with Saul, no doubt laying out what was about to happen.  Saul goes to leave early the next morning, and Samuel stops him for  private word. 

In this chapter Saul is proclaimed king over Israel.

vs. 1-16 – Samuel privately anoints Saul as the king of Israel.  We note in the various details to this point and even following that Saul seems to have some reluctance to take the role.  He reminds us of Gideon who needed convincing that God really did choose him for great work.  Here Samuel lays out three detailed encounters that Saul will experience on his way home.  First, a messenger will meet him and say that the missing donkeys have been found.  Second, three young men will meet him and give him two loaves of bread.  Third, he will meet some prophets and join with them in prophesying.  Note vs. 6 where the Spirit of the Lord will empower him for the work ahead.  Everything happens just as Samuel said.  But when Saul arrives home, he does not tell anyone about his anointing. 

vs. 17-27 – The people gather at Mizpeh where they had experienced revival and  won the great victory in Chapter 7.  The leaders of the tribes are presented before the prophet, and Samuel chooses Benjamin and then narrows down to Kish and his family.  But Saul is nowhere to be found.  God reveals his location, being hidden among the luggage of the gathered people.  Why did he hide?  It did not seem to bother the people.  My best explanation is that he is again reluctant to take up the role of king.  In vs. 25 Samuel writes the charter for the kingdom (oh how I wish that document had been preserved!)  Some accept God’s choice and follow Saul, while some wicked men show no confidence in the choice.

In this chapter Saul cements his places as king with his victory over the Ammonites at Jabeshgilead.

vs. 1-11 – Nahash (“serpent”) of Ammon besieges Jabeshgilead east of Jordan.  The people offer to submit, but Nahash demands that their right eyes be put out.  This would be both a perpetual shame to them and also limit their ability to fight back. The Spirit of God enlivens Saul to meet the need, much like He did in the days of the Judges.  He sends out a threatening message to the tribes that if they did not come to battle, he would hack them up like the bits of oxen he sent with the messengers.  Crude, but effective.  330,000 men gather ready for battle.  The people of Jabeshgilead tell the Ammonites that they will surrender the following day, and so the enemy lets their guard down and celebrates through the night.  Saul leads a three-pronged attack that sweeps the enemy from the field in a resounding victory.

vs. 12-15 – The doubters are silenced regarding Saul.  The people willingly gather at Gilgal and again proclaim Saul as their king.  It is all downhill from this initial victory. 

Did you realize that as of today you have read the Bible for ¼ of the year?  Congratulations!

Saul is one of the most fascinating figures in the Bible.  He was chosen by God to be the first king, yet his family did not become the royal line.  He is inconsistent in his effectiveness, often falling prey to melancholy and jealousy.  I do think Saul was a saved man, though many argue against it.  I believe he is an example of a believer that works in their own power and not relying on God’s grace.  Take heed to learn the many lessons from the royal failure of this man’s career.

Our hymn today is “Come, Thou Almighty King,” written in 1757 by Charles Wesley.  While we may have read about the arrival of Israel’s first earthly king, let us not forget that God is the true King of King and Lord of Lords.

Come, Thou Almighty King,
help us Thy name to sing;
help us to praise:
Father, all glorious,
o'er all victorious,
come, and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.

Come, Thou Incarnate Word,
gird on Thy mighty sword,
our pray'r attend:
come, and Thy people bless,
and give Thy Word success:
Spirit of holiness,
on us descend.

Come, Holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear
in this glad hour:
Thou who almighty art,
now rule in every heart,
and ne'er from us depart,
Spirit of pow'r.

To Thee, great One in Three,
eternal praises be
hence, evermore.
His sov'reign majesty
may we in glory see,
and to eternity
love and adore!