><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (1 Samuel) CHAPTER 7:3-8: 2Z ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) How does the story of chapter 7 reveal the conditions of victory even on the field of former defeats? Have you had some such experience? 2)Wanting a king was not necessarily wrong (f Dt. 17: 14, Is), especially in view of the situation described in 8: 1-3. Why then did God, while granting their request, at the same time rebuke the people for making it? Why was the desire to be 'like all the nations'(8:5,10)wrong? Contrast Samuel's actions with the attitude of the people. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (1 Samuel) Chapter 7:3-8: 2Z =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 7:3: v3-6 Revival! 1 Chronicles 7:14! 7: Should a people who had turned to God be afraid? 8: They may have been afraid, but they did turn to God for protection. Dependency!!! 10: The battle was lost and the Philistines routed before the first Israelite raised a hand against them! 11: God will deliver the enemy into our hands. Do we have a responsibility to pursue our enemies once God has them on the run. David cut off the head of the giant once he was down. (1 Sam 17). 13: The implication is not so much that God blessed Samuel's leadership as it is that Samuel kept the people's attention on God and with a proper attitude and respect. 17: There was a God-focus in all of Samuel's actions! 8:3: Each generation must come before God and acknowledge him! The faith of the father is not sufficient for the children. 5: Samuel's son were clearly disobedient. The men of Israel did not see any future under their leadership. They had a solution! They did not ask God for his solution !!! 6: Samuel recognized that their request was not consistent with God's will. They were placing their trust in the solutions of men, not God. That Samuel clearly understood what they were asking is a continuing indication of his steadfast devotion to God and the deep relationship he had with the Lord. 8: Are we like the children of Israel? Do we always complain against God and what he is doing? 9: Do the consequences of our sins take us by surprise? Are we shocked when God takes action against disobedience? God is patient. He warns us. We are surprised only when we do not listen. 10: There are Samuels in our midst today who tell all the words of the Lord! 11-18 This warning was very specific! Those who do not pay attention to history are doomed to repeat it. The scenario presented by God is the story of how secular power and position corrupt. Only godly kings (and there were many in Israel's history) were able to resist the temptations and avoid the downward path described in these verses. Worldly power and position consume the soul! -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- The Lord brings both victory and defeat in our experiences. But the victory came as a result of Israel's mourning and seeking the Lord and ridding themselves of their idols. It should be the same for us. Israel asking for a king was implying that they did not feel having the Lord as king was enough. v. 7b the Lord says to S: "it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king." The desire to be like everyone else/the other nations was wrong because they were NOT serving false gods, but the ONE true God. Hence, they ought to behave differently. It is the same for us...as Christians, God is our King. (But how easily we lose sight of that at times.) Ps. 44:4: "You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob." Ps. 24:10: "Who is he, this King of glory? THE LORD ALMIGHTY - HE IS THE KING OF GLORY." Rev. 17:14: "...but the Lamb will overcome them because He is the Lord of lords and King of kings - and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers." What a privilege to serve the King of kings! -------------------------------------------- * -------------------------------------------- 1) Chapter 7 shows us a victory given to the children of Israel after following the Lord. It is of note that Sam cries out to the Lord. How often do we CRY for His help? The Israelites were following His commands and giving Him the glory this time. 7:12 He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us." How things so quickly turn... 2) God is a jealous God as we found in the last chapter. He wanted the people's trust and confidence, instead they wanted to pledge it to a king. God allows us to have "our way" to teach us in a tough love type of manner. It is out of this LOVE that He gave us the gift of choice. Like every man's choice to believe in Christ, like our choice to follow Him, and like Adam and Eve's choice to eat of the fruit... God gives each of us choices in our lives because He LOVES US. It is interesting to note that even though Samuel walked in the ways of the Lord, his sons too(Just like Eli's) went astray. Each one made their choice, each generation must make their choice, and choose to stand or not. There is not inherited salvation, only inherited religion! It is such a shame that Samuel was not more conscious of the wandering of his sons, because he had seen Eli's sons wander you think he might have been more attentive to the situation. The Israelites chose the status quo, perhaps under peer pressure from other nations they gave in to the desire for a king. They were in the world and of it, wanting it's ways and modeling their actions. We are commmanded to be in this world, but not of it. We, as all humans, have the choice. Let us choose to follow the One true and Living God with all our Heart, all our mind and all our soul. We must remember that He is either Lord of All or NOT at all. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) How to win the battle, I Samuel 7:3: aND sAMUEL SAID TO THE WHOLE HOUSE OF iSRAEL, "iF YOU ARE [1] RETURNING TO THE lORD WITH ALL YOUR HEARTS, THEN [2] RID YOURSELVES OF THE FOREIGN GODS AND THE aSHTORETHS AND [3] COMMIT YOURSELVES TO THE lORD AND SERVE HIM ONLY, AND HE WILL DELIVER YOU OUT OF THE HAND OF THE pHILISTINES." At that time people of Israel worshipped Ashtaroth. She was the goddess of fertility and licentious sexual relations. It was a lustful religious ceremony performed on "high place." As one wrote in 05-22-98 study notes, is job, possessions, money my idol? Indeed, without removal of our idols, restoration would not happen. (ii) Victory won - Samuel subdued the Philistines at Mizpah, I Sam. 7:13; Judges 13:1b: sO THE pHILISTINES WERE SUBDUED AND DID NOT INVADE iSRAELITE TERRITORY AGAIN. sO THE lORD DELIVERED THEM INTO THE HANDS OF THE pHILISTINES FOR FORTY YEARS. The Lord delivered them to the Philistines because of their disobedience and worshipping other gods. They won the battle after they repented and submitted themselves to God. (iii) Samuel's "Circuiting" Ministry and His Two Sons, I Samuel 7:16; 8:3: fROM YEAR TO YEAR HE WENT ON A CIRCUIT FROM bETHEL TO gILGAL TO mIZPAH, JUDGING iSRAEL IN ALL THOSE PLACES. bUT HIS SONS DID NOT WALK IN HIS WAYS. tHEY TURNED ASIDE AFTER DISHONEST GAIN AND ACCEPTED BRIBES AND PERVERTED JUSTICE. Some commentaries suggested that because Samuel was too busy serving God, he neglected to discipline his sons. It is really an opinion call. Indeed, we do need to direct our children how they should setup the base for their lives. Parents can lead the thoughts of their children; but the children's mind and hearts are not really within parents regulatory reach. Even Samuel did not want his sons to turn out to be that way; it was definitely a heart breaking experience to "the old man." (iv) Judge vs. King and God's Kingdom vs. Worldly Kingdom: In chapter 8, Samuel warned the Israelites of the consequences of having a king, but they still insisted on having a king to rule them. It gives me the feeling that when we invite those who live worldly lives to receive salvation, they do not care because they do not realize what kind of future they are facing. Jesus' teaching in Luke 16 about the rich man and Lazarus express the seriousness of the situation. But our worldly friends do not sense the heat. Lord! Please open their eyes and ears to be children of God rather than slaves of Satan while the door is still open. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (1 Samuel) CHAPTER 9:1 - 10:16 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= This passage describes Saul's private anointing to be king. 10: 2-24 describes his public identification by lot as the man of God's choice. 1 9:1-14. What encouragement may we take from the fact that the free movements of young men and girls, of asses and God's prophet, are here overruled to bring about God's purposes? 2 What three confirmatory signs were given to Saul? How would they give him assurance that Samuel's words in 10:1 were indeed true? How does this section also show that when God calls, He equips? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (1 Samuel) Chapter 9:1 - 10:16 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 1 Sam 9:3: Bible note: Contrast Saul as a herder of donkeys (rebellious, stubborn animals) with David as a herder of sheep (dependent animals) 4: Is there a message here? Saul seeking lost donkeys and not finding them -- and Jesus story of seeking the lost sheep -- and finding it. 6: The servant was aware of Samuel but Saul was not! What does this say about Saul's spiritual condition? He did not appear to be influenced by Samuel's ministry -- even though Samuel traveled throughout the region. A telling indictment of where Saul's focus was. The servant knew of Samuel! 7: An indication of how long they had been looking. Also see v5. 16: Anoint him: Set him apart for the Lord. 18: Again, Saul did not recognize (know) Samuel. 19: Contrast: Saul did not know Samuel but Samuel knew Saul! Parallel this with our condition when we come to God. We do not know God but God knows us! 20: The desire of Israel: a king. 21: The mind set of Israel: position is paramount. How could Saul be king given his family's position in society. Man honors the powerful (whom God often brings down) and God blesses and uses the powerless. 10:1: Samuel's obedience to God shows through again. God said to anoint Saul. Against all human reason Samuel does it. Have we achieved that kind of relationship with God where we can move out on his instructions even thought they appear contrary to our best judgement. Do we really understand God's sovereignty like Samuel did? 6: Saul experienced God at a very practical level and it changed his life. We are changed when we meet God! 7: Samuel's instructions to Saul. They included waiting! Are we tempted to rush off helter-skelter when we should wait on the Lord? 11: A second indication of Saul's character. The men around him were shocked to see that Saul was keeping company with men of God! He was behaving out of character as far as they were concerned. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- It gives me a great feeling that the Lord rules over every detail of our lives, and places people in our paths with strong purposes. It reminds me how insignificant our own desires or fears are in the face of God's ultimate plans. When plans don't go the way we wanted, we need to search the Word of God for the correct answers. Isa 48:17: "This is what the Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHO TEACHES YOU WHAT IS *BEST FOR YOU*, WHO DIRECTS YOU IN THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO." -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Being in the right place at the right time, coincidence?!? I think not... God has his plans. What the world calls coincidence, we know as God's plans and his purposes. It is interesting to note in 7 the gifting of the 'man of God'. It was customary in that time to bring a food gift to a priest or prophet. As we saw earlier through Eli, part of the offering was to go to the priest's family. I experienced this when we went to Africa this past Feb. John Arnold(missionary in Burkina Faso) delivered a Sunday sermon at a church and they gifted him with some chickens. We also had some for lunch. This was an extreme sacrifice, for the Burkinabe people have so little, but they are so warm hearted. Here in this chapter Saul has the same desire, give to him who serves the Lord. 2) Saul was given confirmations in the form of a)meeting two men near Rachel's tomb, b) meeting 3 men going to Bethel, and c) meeting a group of prophets. These confirmations would give him an infusion of the Spirit of the Lord from which Saul would prophesy the word of the Lord. This shows the anointing and equiping of God. When He calls us to a work, He has the power and WILL equip us as necessary to accomplish His good purposes. We must be willing to trust and have faith in Him. He even v9 'changed Saul's heart'. This demonstrates God's ability to make us and mold us into whatever He pleases. We must be willing to follow His directives though, and come to the place where He can mold and shape us. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) The Story of Saul >From Chapter 8 to 15 is mostly the history of Saul. It is one of the >saddest stories in old testament with good beginning starting from chapter 9. The Spirit of the Lord was upon him, 10:6. Then, God even gave him another heart, 10:9-11. Take a closer look of the changes of this man in the later chapters. (ii) Prophet Was Called Seer, I Samuel 9:9: It indicates that a prophet not only foretold future events but also should have vision of God. A seer was the one who had a view of things invisible to mortal sight [J-F-B- Commentary]. (iii) In the Beginning, Saul Was a Humble Man, I Samuel 9:21: sAUL ANSWERED, "bUT AM i NOT A bENJAMITE, FROM THE SMALLEST TRIBE OF iSRAEL, AND IS NOT MY CLAN THE LEAST OF ALL THE CLANS OF THE TRIBE OF bENJAMIN? wHY DO YOU SAY SUCH A THING TO ME." When Samuel at first announced Saul to be established a king, 9:20, he humbly identified himself as the least of all the clans of the smallest tribe. The Bible has a very clear description of his human profile from there we'd be able to visualize the reasons for his success and failure before God. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (1 Samuel) CHAPTER 10:17 - 11: 15 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 How does the story of Saul's public election demonstrate God's forbearance? See especially 10: 19. Cf Pss. 103:14,15; 78:37-39; Rom. 2:4. 2 To what does Scripture attribute Saul's vigorous action and his success? Cf Acts 1:8. Do these verses come to you as a challenge, or a rebuke? 3 Consider what noble qualities Saul displays. See 9: 21; 10: 9, 16b, 22, 27c. Does your life give evidence of a similar work of God? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (1 Samuel) Chapter 10:17 - 11: 15 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 18: In Chapter 8 Samuel warned the people what the consequences would be if they transferred their dependence and trust from God to a king. Now he recounts how God had dealt with the children of Israel, how dependable he is, how he had their best interests at heart. 22: Here is a man who had experience the power of God in his life, hiding among the baggage! v23-24 Saul had a commanding presence. This is the second time that Saul's stature is mentioned. 27: God's anointed are scorned. The corrupted view of the position not the acceptance of the anointing (being set aside for the Lord). 11:3: Dependence on man not God. 12: The psalmist continually thanks God for disposing of his enemies. 13: Saul gave credit to the Lord for the victory! 15: Even though Saul was anointed as king, he had to prove himself to the people. Do we have to see tangible results before we believe (Doubting Thomases we are). -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Despite Israel's rejecting God as their king, the Lord still gave them a king, specifically picking him out for them as well. Our heavenly Father really does want to give us good things, but we are often blinded by our own desires. Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Saul was moved by the power of the Holy Spirit that came on him. These verses represent both a challenge and a rebuke to me, but mostly a challenge. God never asks us to do something out of our own strength, but to trust in Him for it. Our faith is the measure of our Christian strength. Saul is modest, able to be changed by God, discreet, did not talk back to those who didn't support his election. I think that sometimes these qualities are learned, not inherent. Therefore, it seems God teaches us these things throughout life, to prepare us for future plans He may have in store for us. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) God lets the people wander and elect to go astray knowing that it will only lead to trouble and despair and being made servants of others, He does this again to show His love for them. Ps 78:38 Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. 39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return. God has mercy on us due to His love for us. 2) Saul's actions are motivated by the changed heart due to the 'Spirit of the Lord coming Mightily upon him' These words make me desire that type of a charging and infilling of the Holy Spirit, the same type of infilling that requires us to go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the Ends of the Earth in Acts 1:8. 3) Saul's life is a dichotomy of real life. On the one hand he is humble(9:21), able to be changed by God(10:9), not seeking fame(10:16b,22), and patient(10:27c). On the other hand he is human, as seen by his future actions. How great an example of one man rising above the limitations of his humanity and human nature to allow God to use him. May we seek to be found and used by God and to have our hearts changed to be useful vessels in His service. I was struck today by the thought that so many Christians only read the New Testament and are so stuck in what they consider the only applicable and useful doctrine and teachings found in the NT. After reading the past week and 1/2 of Samuel, and after being reminded at church on Sunday that the Gospel is what we need(not just for salvation, but even after). I can only say that it is a shame that we often have such a limiting view of the Bible. Considering the OT just stories or ancient history. The OT is alive and bursting with the Gospel message. We too often neglect the Gospel after we are saved, thinking that it is merely the simple message of sinful man being separated from God by sin and requiring the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God's only Son on the cross to pay the price for our sins. The Gospel is so much more, but we must learn to dig into it and to examine it and to grapple with it daily, for the Gospel is found in every chapter and verse of the Bible, for it is Christ, and Christ is the Truth and the Truth is the Word(Bible). Are we preaching the Gospel? Do we know the Gospel in order that we might preach it? Are we ready to give an answer[the Gospel](2 Peter 3:15)? We can only be ready to preach the Gospel if we are in it and studying to show ourselves approved unto God as workmen who need not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ(2Tim 2:15). We have nothing to be ashamed about in the Gospel, for it(the gospel) is the power of God unto salvation!(ROM 1:16) -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) The Chosen King With Some Rebels: In Chapter 10, Saul was anointed and chosen as the first king of Israel. However, there are some rebels that disagreed with the selection, 10:27, and brought him no gifts. In today's term, we may say that they are not paying their tax or Social Security charge to protest his authority. (ii) Nahash Challenged His Power: In Chapter 11, Ammonites' leader Nahash came to invade the Israel city of Jabesh-Gilead - a town in Gilead in the territory assigned to the half-tribe of Manasseh. Nahash agreed to make a covenant with the city citizens by gouging out their right eyes. The purpose was to disable them for war. What a cruel ruler Nahash was !!!! (iii) Saul Was Then Reaffirmed To Be Their King, I Samuel 11:12-14: This pending covenant gave the opportunity for Saul to claim victory against Nahash. It established the credibility of Saul's leadership. Then, Samuel took them to Gilgal and reaffirmed the kingship of Saul. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (1 Samuel) CHAPTER 12 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 What was the point of Samuel's historical recital? Unlike the Israelites, do we (a) remind ourselves constantly of the great things God has done for us, and (b) allow this reminder to have a full effect upon our behaviour? 2 What were the outstanding features in Samuel's character as seen in this chapter? 3 Summarize the counsels and warnings of verses 2~25. Note especially what Samuel says about prayer. Yet, if the people will not turn from their wicked ways, will prayer avail? See verse 25; cf Jer 15:1; Ps. 99:6,8. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (1 Samuel) Chapter 12 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 1 Sam 12:1: v1-5 -- Samuel reminds the people of Israel of his own service and integrity. v6-11 -- Then Samuel reminds them of the Lord's faithfulness and integrity. 9: In spite of all that the Lord had done for them, the Israelites waivered in their faithfulness to him! 10: Suffering the consequences of unfaithfulness, the people called out to God. 12: Samuel brings a personal application of his message showing that it was they who wanted a king, not God. 14: The consequences of faithful obedience and service are blessings! 15: The curses that come from disobedience and rebellion! v16-18 -- The Lord demonstrates his power as a reminder and reinforcement of Samuel's message. 17: The demonstration of God's power involved destruction of crops ready for harvest -- a provision for the coming year. 19: The people seek forgiveness. But in recognizing their sin, they did not appeal directly to God, but through Samuel. They needed someone to intercede for them. 20: Serving the Lord is not a matter of the will. It is a matter of the heart! Samuel appeals not to continue in sin but to serve the Lord. Sin separates us from the Lord. We have a choice to ignore God and continue in sin or to repent and to return to the Lord. When we are separated from the Lord in sin we do not experience his encouraging Spirit. 22: It is we who reject the Lord, not he who rejects us. 23: The responsibilities of God's servants: To pray for the people and to teach them what is right. 24: Three elements of obedience: Fear the Lord, Serve him, and remember what he has done. 25: The curse of disobedience. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Samuel made this historical speech to show how God was faithful to Israel despite their unfaithfulness, how they forgot God and pursued selfish interests, yet God was still merciful and helped them. I think that once in a while we are struck by a passing image of ourselves in the mirror, and feel something wrong. Maybe a friend, etc., helps us see how we're really behaving, and how we need to change. God places people and events with strong purpose, as He did for Israel and for Saul. Samuel was a lifetime servant of God, blameless in owing anyone anything or being oppressive, dutiful, bold, full of faith, encouraging, yet honest. S will continue to pray for them - it is his duty. The reference in Jer. 15:1 is poignant. The message throughout is that Israel must continue to serve the Lord faithfully and fear Him. Remember what He has done for you, and mostly DON'T persist in doing evil! S is like a father instructing his children. After his history of lifetime service, you'd think they would respect S.'s relationship with the Lord. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Sam. was recounting the ways in which the children of Israel had strayed from their first love for the Lord in the past. We must never forget the zeal of our first love for the Lord. We must strive each day to make our passion for serving Him grow into a mature love and serve Him with that love. The pathos love, not just the eros love. It should be the motive behind our every action. 2) Sam. had done great service for Israel. He had delivered them from the hands of their enemies and prayed over them constantly. Here, he calls them to 'take a stand'. in verse 7 and repeats the call in 16. 3) Sam. warns Israel of the following: opression, fraud, bribery. He chastens them to: remember the Lord, fear Him, serve Him(v14), and to take their stand. He warns especially that if they don't turn from their wicked ways, they will be "swept away"(25). 16 "Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes" If we stand for Him now, He will stand for us on the Judgement Day. Let us, as it is so well captured in the great hymn - Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus! -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) Samuel's Reminder Declared at Gilgal: Saul was installed as their king, as they asked for, to protect them, the Israelites, from their oppressors such as king Nahash of Ammon, I Sam. Chapter 11 and 12:12. Their desire and their conduct were highly displeasing to the heavenly King. However, Samuel reminded them to be faithful and they would do fine, 12:14 (ii) The Reminder Was Confirmed with a Miracle: In Palestine, it very seldom or never rains at the wheat harvest time. For the seriousness of the statement made in I Samuel 12:13-20, a miraculous thunder storm took place. It was an attestation that Samuel's words addressed to them were true. (iii) Samuel, A Faithful Servant, 12:23-24: 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. P.S.: Not to pray the prayers that you ought to is sin. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (1 Samuel) CHAPTER 13 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Consider the Israelites' great danger. See verses 5, 6,19-22 In such a situation what ought they to have known to be the one indispensable and sure secret of survival and victory? See 12: 14, I5. 2 What was wrong with Saul's professed desire to entreat the favour of the Lord, and with the action he took to further it? What warning do you take from the irreparable consequences following on one specific sinful act? Why does God expose men to such searching tests? See Dt. 8: 2. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (1 Samuel) Chapter 13 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 1 Sam 13:7: How quickly we forget the power of the Lord! When the going gets rough, we tremble in fear instead of turning to the Lord. 9: While Saul waited seven days, he did not wait through the seventh day. He took matters into his own hands. God expects strict obedience. Saul brought offerings, but instead of waiting for the priest to offer them to the Lord, he offered them himself. With his army deserting him he became fearful and impatient. 10: The indication of Saul's impatience. Samuel arrived as he had promised. Saul failed to wait to the appointed time. v11-12 -- It is difficult to wait on the Lord when the whorld seems to be pressing in from all sides. Don't just sit there, do something! 13: The consequences of Sauls rash actions. The kingly line would not be through Saul. Saul had disregarded Samuel's instructions. Samuel is consistently portrayed as one who presented the word of God. Samuel's instructions were the word of God that Saul failed to follow. 14: See 1 Sam 2:30, 35. The consequences of Eli's and Saul's disobedience (sin) was to end the dynast of priests and kings through their families. v 19-22 -- Dependence on the Philistines for iron weapons. They had something better than iron weapons but they did not recognize it because they continued to define their methods (success, power, capabilities) in terms of the world and not the ways of God. 22: By the standards of the world, the Israelites had already lost the battle. They were with out weapons. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Too bad Saul, a leader of thousands, did not obey the word of the Lord. He should have waited for Samuel, and recognized Samuel as the prophet of the Lord. That was a mistake. Saul risked the lives of many Israelites. As Samuel said to them before, you MUST follow the LORD YOUR GOD, both the Israelites and their king. The problem is that he didn't wait for Samuel - God's anointed, appointed prophet. Saul was not legally qualified to offer the burnt offering. He was king, but that's all, and his office did not qualify him for this. God tests us to "prove our faith genuine" (I Pet. 1:6-9, one of my favorites). Hopefully, we learn from our mistakes and become refined through the fire, not useless, but glorious in Christ. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The Israelites face great and 'unsurmountable' odds. A humanly impossible situation loomed over them. They should have headed the warning of Samuel and had fear of the Lord, served Him, listened to Him, and obeyed Him. Instead, Saul(the king) takes matters into his own hands. 2) Saul disobeyed the orders of the Lord. God had commanded him to wait on Samuel, Saul was anxious with the impending doom upon him and caved in to his fears of men rather than fear of disobeying God. We see here that one act of disobedience to His will and instructions can cost a whole household to lose out... According to Deut 8:2 God tests us to see our hearts, whether they be true or whether they bear false witness. He raises those whose hearts run after His will, just as Sam predicted He would raise a 'man after his own heart' That is what God desires from us, may we seek daily His heart and will for our lives. 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you. yet with gentleness and reverence. From the passage in v20 we get a familiar phrase used by our Governments leaders, "beating their plowshares into swords." This is used in reference to peaceful situations turning ugly by the military. In this passage it refers to the use of whatever means available. It is so interesting how our world misconstrues the Truth and tries to mask His Truth... Let us strive to Search for the Truth daily and to present it to everyone who asks us to give account... -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) 13:1 in NASB and NIV sAUL WAS FORTY YEARS OLD (Chinese version has the same translation for his age) WHEN HE BEGAN TO REIGN, AND HE REIGNED THIRTY TWO YEARS OVER iSRAEL. [NASB] sAUL WAS THIRTY YEARS OLD WHEN HE BECAME KING, AND HE REIGNED OVER iSRAEL FORTY TWO YEARS. [NIV] Most Bible scholars recognize the NASB as the most accurate translation. There is a joke about the Chinese translation - The reason the Chinese Bible is also an excellent translation is because we are poor people and can not afford so many different translations. So God has mercy upon us to make a single good translation for a long long time. (ii) A Vital Difference Between A Spiritual Leader And A King, 13:11-13: In verses 11 and 12, Saul had some quite good reasons from his own mind to deliver the burnt offering. In his mind a leader is a leader. "yOU ACTED FOOLISHLY," sAMUEL SAID. "yOU HAVE NOT KEPT THE COMMAND THE lORD YOUR gOD GAVE YOU; ---",13:13 Today, in churches, there are quite some active PhDs. This chapter gives us a good lesson that sharp in knowledge, even theology PhD, does not necessarily mean spiritual blessed to serve the Lord. (iii) A Man After His Own Heart, 13:14: This is a statement for king David, Acts 13:22. To serve God, we need not only Bible knowledge, but also the right mind and hearts to do His will. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (1 Samuel) CHAPTER 14 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I How was it that Jonathan was so courageous? Cf verse 6 with 2 Chron.14:11; 1 Sa. 2:9,10. 2 What indications do you find of Saul's impatience, and how did it lead him to hasty and wrong decisions? Yet what evidence is there that with all his self-will Saul was anxious not to offend the Lord? How do you account for this? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (1 Samuel) Chapter 14 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 1 Sam 14:1: Contrast the actions of Jonathan through out with those of his father, Saul. We have seen the failure of Eli in rasing his sons and the disastrous consequences and Saul's failure as a king but Jonathan's faithfulness an obedience to the Lord. The contrast is even more remarkable when we recognize that Jonathan was next in line to be king. yet he was obedient to the Lord when through Samuel proclaimed that he (Jonathan) would not become king. 6: Jonathan puts the battle in spiritual terms. The war is against those who are not under covenant with God. In 1 Sam 17: 26, David asks, "Who is this uncircumcized Philistine?" Dependence on the Lord! No task is too big for the Lord! Like David, Jonathan understood in whose hand the battle lay. No wonder David and Jonathan were close friends -- they saw the world from the same perspective. 7: This says a lot about Jonathan as a leader. The armor-bearer would follow him any where! 9: Jonathan lays a fleece as did Gideon v12-14 -- Jonathan looked to the Lord. He knew what the Lord was doing. A clear indication of the close relationship he had with the Lord. 14: The were out numbered ten to one. 15: The power of the Lord strikes fear in the hearts of the enemy! 18: Saul was going to see direction from the Lord. 19: When the battle is obviously turning in the favor of Israel, Saul dropped his plans to seek direction from the Lord and pursued the Philistines. In contrast, because of Jonathan's relationship with the Lord he knew that the Lord would put the Philistines to flight. 22: Jump on the bandwagon. Join forces after the victory is already won! We need the faith of Jonathan to see what the Lord is doing and join him at the outset, not wait until the battle is over and claim to have been a part of it! 24: Dependence on ritual rather than on the Lord. Notes point out that this was a personal vendetta than as a spiritual battle as Jonathan saw it. 29: Jonathan recognized the motives behind his fathers actions. 30: How many times do we fail to finish the battle because we fail to see that battle for what it is -- a spiritual battle! Again and again, the children of Israel suffered at the hands of their enemies because they failed to follow through and vanquish the enemy. Saul failed to destroy all of the Amalekites as the Lord had instructed (1 Sam 15:3), and in the end was slain by an Amalekite. 35: We find Saul seemingly obeying the commands of the Lord, but only as rituals. Saul had not done this before. We can question whether He really know what he was doing. 36: Saul acting rashly again. He seems to have the right idea -- finish the enemy off. But his motives are in question. Therefore the priest wants to ask God if that is the right thing to do. 38: Is it true today that God does not answer our prayers because of sin in our lives? 40: Notice the difference between the lackluster response of the army and the armor-bearer's response to Jonathan. Saul did not command the respect of the people. 43: Saul's warped thinking is clear! He had failed to depend on the Lord and was ready to kill one who had. 46: As a result of Saul's motive for making the oath and having to deal with Jonathan's unknowing failure to keep the oath, the Philistines withdrew to fight another day. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Jonathan's courage and trust in the Lord are really admirable. Not only did he have courage to do it, but to believe that the Lord would carry it out. That is faith. His life depended on it, and He believed the Lord would give their enemies over to them. It is interesting to note how he did not consult with his father Saul. Saul told the priest to withdraw his hand - he did not want to wait for the Lord to speak, he was in a hurry. However, he did want to seek the Lord's will before fighting, despite the fact that the Philistines were obviously losing. Saul did not want to offend the Lord because he realized the power of the Almighty. He had witnessed it and experienced it himself before. His main problem was impatience, as we saw before also when he didn't wait for Samuel to offer the burnt offering. He tried to gain the military advantage, but forgot the Lord was the "advantage". Honor Him first. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) Descendants of Eli, 14:3 Eli, father of Hophni and Phinehas, 4:17; Phinehas, father of Ahitub( older son) and Ichabod, 4:21; Ahitub, father of Ahijah. Ahijah was the priest of the Lord at Shiloh, in king Saul's time. CORRECTION: The comments I made for I Samuel 4:21 with the assumption that Eli had only one grandson, Ichabod. Actually, verse 14:3 shows Eli had two grandsons. The reason priest Ahijab was mentioned in this chapter is because he served God rightly. The obvious case was shown in verse 14:36 - sAUL SAID, "lET US GO DOWN AFTER THE pHILISTINES BY NIGHT AND PLUNDER THEM TILL DAWN, AND LET US NOT LEAVE ONE OF THEM ALIVE." dO WHATEVER SEEMS BEST TO YOU," THEY REPLIED. bUT THE PRIEST SAID, "lET USINQUIRE OF gOD HERE." The problem of Saul was that he did not put God in the first place in his life. And Ahijab reminded him to inquire of God first before he took any action. (ii) The Lord Is Not Restrained To Save By Many Or By Few, I Sam. 14:6: 14:2 - Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Gigron. With him were about six hundred men. Also identified in 13:15. Further, verse 19 shows that Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, "Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!" Let's count how many Philistines were there - tHE pHILISTINES ASSEMBLED TO FIGHT iSRAEL, WITH THREE THOUSAND CHARIOTS, SIX THOUSAND CHARIOTEERS, AND SOLDIERS AS NUMEROUS AS THE SAND ON THE SEASHORE. I Sam. 13:5 Under these conditions, Jonathan went to the heart of the enemies garrison! Oh Lord, give us a "Jonathan" today to fight our battles of this age. (iii) Jonathan And His Armor-bearer Killed Some Twenty, Samuel 14:14: dO NOT FORGET THAT ONLY sAUL AND HIS SON jONATHAN HAD THEM (sword or spear), 13:22. How could Jonathan's armour bearer kill anyone without sward or spear? He must got them from the soldiers Jonathan killed. The point is that Israelites fought the war practically with bare hands. At first, when Philistines told Jonathan to "come up", 14:12. They were so confident that did not even exercise carefully to say "Drop you Armor and come up." I should give a sentence for this Armor-bearer about his loyalty. What a great man! dO ALL THAT IS IN YOUR HEART, TURN YOURSELF (go ahead), AND HERE i AM WITH YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR DESIRE, 14:7. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) We get our first in-person look at Jonathan(Saul's son). Jonathan had the notion that God could provide, no matter how many the numbers were, he knew the Lord could deliver them. Faith is the root of Obedience. When we learn to be faithful, then we understand how to obey God's commands and align our will with His. How rich an example of putting trust in God for the victory He has won. The armor bearer of Jon. should also be commended for his loyalty to Jonathan to stick with him against even such unsurmountable odds. 2) Here again we see the impatience of Saul coming into play. The first time was with the offering to the Lord and his taking the offering instead of waiting for Samuel. Now, again we see that Saul doesn't want to wait for God's answer, he just cannot stand the waiting, so he goes ahead and makes an impulse decision about fasting which almost costs Jonathan his life. Saul seems to always be thinking in a legalistic point of view. He tries to carry out the letter of the law and obey God's "written" law, but if it takes too long, then he takes matters into his own hands. We see this with the request to bring the animals to the altar to let the blood drip off them. In this chapter we begin to see the demise of Saul. Once again the dichotomy of being God's chosen King while at the same time such a person that reacts in a human/fleshly sort of way makes for an interesting look into the human heart. It is interesting that his troops seem to be following the "blind leading the blind" principle. They keep saying "whatever you want" Here they are in obedience to their king, even when He is doind something against the way God would have it done, but because he is the king, they obey. How many lives would Saul affect with his me first, I want it now attitude? We must take from Saul's example the need to be patient to wait on God's timing, not ours. Things happen that we pray for in His time not ours. It can be extremely frustrating at times, but we must not give up hope in Him, otherwise we are being disobedient for our lack of faith.