Nothing to say, yet
Transcription
In chapters 8 through 12 of 1 Samuel, the Israelites ask Samuel to appoint a king for them. Despite Samuel's warnings about the negative consequences of having a king, the people insist. Saul, a Benjamite, is chosen as king and is anointed by Samuel. Saul leads the Israelites to victory against the Ammonites. Samuel gives a final speech, reminding the people to fear and serve the Lord. The story emphasizes the importance of obedience and the distinction between those who fear and serve the Lord and those who don't. I am Julie Callio, your host, and thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to tune in with me today. If by chance you want to contact me, you can do that at fab.bc.pc at gmail.com. Today we are covering chapters 8 through 12 of 1 Samuel. This year I will do a shortened overview, but if you want more details on this chapter, I covered them last year in the lesson called The Nation of Israel Has Their First King Saul. It was done on March 7, 2023. Up to now the children of Israel left Egypt with the mighty hand of God through the leadership of Moses and his brother Aaron. Aaron became the high priest or mediator between God and man, and they and all the Levites took care of the tabernacle or the place of worship. After the wanderings in the wilderness, that generation died off, and Joshua, Moses' right-hand man, became the next main leader of Israel. The book that bears his name tells how Joshua led the Israelites to conquer the promised land, and then the sections of the land were allotted to the various tribes. One thing to remember, the Israelites never fully conquered all the land the Lord promised, and there were still pagan religions living around them. After Joshua died came the era of the judges. Each tribe had their own judges, elders, and rulers. The book Judges shows us the cycle of sin which led to oppression, which led to crying out unto the Lord, which led to the Lord bringing forth a judge, and while the judge ruled, there was peace in the land. But once the judge died, the cycle started all over. In Judges we see what some scholars call the dark ages of Israel in the Bible, because even the spiritual leaders became corrupt. The book of Ruth gives us a glimmer of hope because in the time of the judges, there were still some people who followed the Lord and were faithful, and the Lord blessed them. They are called a remnant. This fourth book of history in the Old Testament, 1 Samuel, began with other faithful followers of the Lord, and through Hannah's cries to the Lord, he blessed her with a son, Samuel. In yesterday's lesson we learned the contrast of Eli the priest's sons who were wicked, and how Samuel grew up with the Lord. Samuel was a prophet of the Lord, and he also was a judge of the people. Now in chapter 8 verse 1 it says, When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges for Israel. One thing that is missing is any reference to the Lord calling his sons as judges. And then in verses 2 and 3 we learn that these sons, Joel and Abijah, did not walk in the ways of the Lord. They were dishonest, and they perverted justice. And so the elders of Israel came to Samuel and asked him to appoint for them a king to lead them. And then it adds, such as all the other nations have. This upset Samuel at first, but the Lord said to listen to them. And then the Lord said, it's not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. The Lord allowed it, but he also explained what would happen when they had a king. The king would take the best of the land, the best of their crops, their children to fight, and their daughters to serve the king. And the list went on and on. In chapter 8 verse 18 the Lord said, When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the Lord will not answer you in that day. In other words, they will reap consequences for what they have asked for. Samuel made it clear what would happen when they had a king, but the people did not want to hear. And they cried out for a king so they could be like the other nations, with a king to lead and go before them and fight their battles. Chapter 8 verses 19 and 20. In chapter 9 we learn of a young impressive Benjamite named Saul, who was a head taller than all the rest. He was out searching for some lost donkeys. They were about to give up when his servant knew of a prophet nearby that could possibly help them. Chapter 9 verse 9 informs, Formerly in Israel, if a man went to inquire of God, he would say, Come, let us go to the seer, because the prophet of today used to be called a seer. Comments like this help give clues that the book was written at a later date than when it happened. While the Lord was working on Saul and his servant to be at the right spot at the right time, so the Lord was working with Samuel. The Lord's timing is perfect. Verses 15 and 16 say, Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel. About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel. He will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me. They met and ate together. Samuel told them the flock was safe, and then he sent the servant on ahead. Chapter 10 verse 1 reads, Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head, and kissed him, saying, Has not the Lord anointed you leader over his inheritance? Then to help Saul believe his calling, Samuel told him three things that were going to happen as he went home. One, when he was close to Rachel's tomb, two men would find them and tell them the donkeys are home safe. Check! Now Rachel was the loved wife of Jacob the patriarch, who had two sons, Joseph and Benjamin. And she died on the way to the promised land, while giving birth to Benjamin in Genesis chapter 35 verses 16 through 20. That is why she was buried here. Then number two, when he reached the great tree of Tabor, there would be three men with goat's bread and wine, and they would give him two loaves of bread. Check! As they approached Gibeah, prophets would come down from the high places with instruments. They would prophesy, and then so would Saul. Check! Chapter 10 verse 6 says, The spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them, and you will be changed into a different person. Chapter 10 verse 9 says, As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. I love how the Lord is willing to give us signs along the way to affirm his will for our lives. Starting with verse 17, Samuel summoned all the people of Israel at Mizpah. He brought forth each tribe, and Benjamin was chosen. From the tribe he brought forth each clan, and Matri's clan was chosen, and from there Saul was chosen. The only problem was that Saul hid himself. The family got him and then said, Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people. Then the people shouted, Long live the king! Long live the king! Samuel again explained all the regulations of having a king, and he wrote them down on a scroll. Saul went home, followed by valiant men, but some disdained him. Saul just kept silent about that. Chapter 11 tells us, The Amorites besieged the city of Jabesh Gilead. They were going to wipe them out, but the Jews asked if they could make a treaty, but the only treaty would be that the Ammonites would gouge out all their right eyes. They sent out word to the other tribes of Israel, and when Saul heard, verse 6 says, The Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger. He rallied the men, and they came. Saul led them, and they won. Those who were celebrating wanted to kill the naysayers of Saul, but he said in verse 13, No one shall be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel. Then Samuel said, Come, let us go to Gilgal, and there reaffirm the kingship. So they did. Chapter 12 is Samuel's last speech to the people, because the leadership is again changing, from the judges to the king. He reviewed the history of the Lord leading Israel. He reminded them in verses 14 and 15, If you fear the Lord, and serve and obey him, and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follows the Lord your God, good, but if you do not obey the Lord, if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers. The people acknowledged that their asking for a king was a sin, because it was not trusting the Lord to be their king, and they asked Samuel to pray for them, since they had added this sin to their long list of sins their fathers had done. Samuel reminded them not to serve other gods, because idols are useless. Then verses 22 through 25, For the sake of his great name, the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you, and I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord, and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Consider what great things he has done for you, yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your kings will be swept away. Ladies this story ends with the calling of obedience, and a clear distinction between those who fear and serve the Lord, and those who don't. There are only two groups of people, and they are separated by their actions. If you are a part of the family of God, the Lord is pleased to make you his own. If you are not, the Lord would love for you to be a part of his family. Just confess your sin, and ask the Lord to forgive you, and come into your life. John 3.16 in the New Testament says, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but will have everlasting life. And his son's name is Jesus. In our story today, it's interesting to me that the Israelites wanted to be like the other nations, but if they serve the Lord, they just are not, because their God is different, and whom we serve directly reflects our actions. As believers, we are to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully. What is he calling you to do? Then we are to consider what great things he has done for you. There is power in giving thanks and praise to the Lord for what he has done for you. Today, if you hear his voice, please don't harden your heart and persist in doing evil. That usually does not end well. Instead, let's be women who hear the Lord and obey. Until next time, and thanks so much for listening.
