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I Samuel 18 Part 2–Saul Tries to Outsmart God?

20 Wednesday Feb 2019

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Saul was not stupid.  He knew God was with David.  He was afraid of David and of God.  God made him king, but he quickly abandoned God and tried to run the kingdom on His own.  After several chances, God withdrew his spirit from Saul and allowed Saul to do what he wanted–run the kingdom on his own.  He then anointed David as King.  It was not long until Saul could see God’s blessings follow David in his battles.  The victories were God led, the people’s favor obvious. Saul grew more fearful of David and of God.  

As a result, Saul began to look for ways to eliminate or at least undermine David.  He made him a commander with hopes David would be killed in battle. He offered him his daughter’s hand in marriage, hoping to silence him as his son-in-law. Saul was unable to grasp the reality that God was watching over David and would bless all that David put his hand to.  It was driving Saul crazy.  Still, David remained loyal to God and loyal to Saul. David trusted God as a shepherd, as a warrior and now as the future King of Israel. Saul would not change David–a man after God’s own heart.

We need to decide which character we will be–Saul or David. If we think we can manage our lives better than God, like Saul, we need to expect to receive what Saul received–fear, chaos, and ultimate destruction. If, however, we can trust God, follow Him and allow the Lord to execute His plan in our lives–then He will order our steps and bless our lives.  We will not live a life without trial or temptation; but, we will not have to face life’s struggles alone and without hope. Objectively, it is really an easy choice. God is God–trust Him, follow Him and allow God to bless your life!

God Bless You

Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul.13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.

17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage;only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!”

18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” 19 So[b] when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.

20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.”

22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’”

23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.”

24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines

1 Samuel 18 Part 1–David’s Adventure Begins

19 Tuesday Feb 2019

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There is an inherent danger that comes from following the Lord.  David had just followed God’s lead and killed the giant Goliath. His victory saved Israel and allowed the nation to regain its respect.  The king, Saul, should have been overjoyed–but, that was not the case.  Saul knew that God had abandoned him as king.  So, as Saul grew older, he also knew God was preparing his replacement. So when this young man, David, rose from nowhere to become the hero of Israel, Saul became fearful and jealous.
 
Jonathan, however, was thrilled to see David rise. Jonathan never lost sight of God being in charge of the kingdom.  Jonathan, the heir to the throne, became David’s best friend. So as Saul watched–he saw David taking everything he had built away from him. Saul became increasingly suspicious and jealous. David was becoming public enemy number 1 to Saul. There was nothing David could do–He was loyal to both Saul and to Israel. David played the Lyre to ease Saul’s torment. David stayed at Saul’s side–even at the risk of his own life.
 
Following God’s lead is never easy–Saul was simply unable to do it. David was beginning to find that despite his faithfulness to God, he was in a spiritual war that would be much more difficult than any battle with a giant. In our lives, the same holds true–we often find that following the Lord is difficult. It is far easier to do what we want–rather than trust God and allow Him to lead. What is more, when we do allow God to lead, the enemy will throw everything he has at us to try to neutralize our impact on others and to try to make us live a life independent of God. 
 
We, like David, must focus on God. We must gratefully walk the path laid out for us. What we will see, over time, is that God’s path is the only sustainable path to take. We will struggle, we will fail, and we will doubt ourselves and God in the process. When we look back through our lives, however, we will see that God’s plan was right and His leadership prepared us for the battles and victories we were able to experience.  David’s son–Solomon, said it best, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge God in all your ways–and HE, God, will make your path straight!” Proverbs 3:5-6
 
God Bless You

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.

6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang:

“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.”

8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.

10 The next day an evil[a] spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

1 Samuel 17 Part 2 -A Matter of Perspective

14 Thursday Feb 2019

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The Army saw a giant, but David saw a heathen. Goliath was almost 10 feet tall and was by appearance unbeatable—But David, like God, did not look at the appearance, he looked at the power of God.  Compared to a God that created the universe, Goliath was a mere speck.  The idea of fear and or uncertainty was never an issue.  That was why David, the newly anointed King was a man after God’s own heart.

In our world, like David’s, our perspective will dictate our fear.  If we dwell on the giants in our lives, we will live enslaved by fear.  But, if we focus on the size and greatness of our God, we will be confident, protected and provided for.  God does not change, He simply is. We are the only ones that become a variable.  Paul Reminded Timothy, as a young pastor in a dynamic church—“God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power and a sound mind.” 2 Tim1:7

God Bless You

Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other.22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it.24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.

25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.”

26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.”

28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with angerat him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”

29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.

1 Samuel 15 Part 2–Enough, You are Done!

08 Friday Feb 2019

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Not since the time of Noah, had God regretted something so much as he regretted making Saul king of Israel.  Samuel knew that Saul had destroyed his opportunity to be the leader of the people.  He prayed all night to try to intercede, but God said enough! It was so much more than simply not carrying out God’s command.  The command to completely wipe out a group was extreme–but, to understand the wickedness and abuse that the Amalekites caused; well, it was a horrible abomination of murder, perversion, and evil. God wanted all traces of them gone.
 
The bigger issue, however, was that Saul had decided that his name and reputation was more important than serving God and leading God’s people.  Even after this event, Samuel had to track Saul down to where he was building a monument to himself.  Saul was obsessed with being in charge–just like every other king.  God simply had had enough.  So, God sent Samuel to give Saul his notice–“You are Done!” No more excuses and no more chances–Now, God will pick his kind of king.  The irony has always been and is–those that serve God humbly and gratefully are exalted well beyond their wildest dreams. Those that try to usurp God’s authority crumble in shame, obscurity, and futility.
 
In our lives, we need to listen to the Lord and follow His lead.  It will mean a life of purpose, peace, and joy.  There will be trials, temptation, and difficulty–THAT IS LIFE! But God will provide us with an amazing journey here, and an eternity of blessing for our allegiance and faith.  We need to seek Him, as we do, the Lord will provide for us. He loves us and wants to grant us a life of blessing. God will, however, step back and allow us to destroy our lives if we feel compelled to compete for control.  We need to pray that we do not live a life that causes Him to regret His choosing us as His own!
 
God Bless You

Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: 11 “I regret that I have made Saul king because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was angry, and he cried out to the Lord all that night.

12 Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.”

13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.”

14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?”

“Enough!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.”…

22 But Samuel replied:

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord.”

26 But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!”

27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. 29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”

30 Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

32 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.”

Agag came to him in chains.[c] And he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”

33 But Samuel said,

I Samuel 15 Part 1–Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve!

07 Thursday Feb 2019

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When God anointed Saul to be king of Israel, He did so with the understanding that Saul would follow God’s lead.  God knew that anointing a King would be difficult, but anointing a King that was self-absorbed, would doom Israel. Saul had not shown any desire to honor God in his leadership of Israel.  So, God sent Samuel to give Saul one last chance to obey God’s leadership and remain Israel’s anointed King. Here was the test–Wipe out the Amalekites–totally and completely.  Do not allow anyone or anything to live!  Not a hard test, really.  Easily measured and easily followed…at least, that is what one would think.
 
Saul gathered the troops, went to the Amalekites’ lands and began the annihilation.  Well, except, he did not kill their king, and he did not kill the good livestock–that would be such a waste after all.  In short, Saul did what Saul wanted to do–not what God commanded him to do.  There could be no misunderstanding–kill off everything.  Saul simply chose not to.  Needless to say–Saul chose His own way rather than God’s way.  God was not pleased.  
 
Sadly, in our lives, we spend a great deal of time doing most of what God tells us.  Still, there are various times when God asks us to trust and follow Him and we choose to either help God out or simply do our own plan. In those times, it is not that we do not understand God’s direction, we simply would rather not obey.  Our way seems so much better…Sorry, God does not rule by committee! We have to trust Him and follow His direction. If we will, the Lord will bless us mightily, and direct our path to a purpose-filled and meaningful life.  If we try to co-lead, God will simply step back and allow the chaos to ensue.  There is a great old hymn, I Surrender All, it is the embodiment of the right choice, “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him; in His presence daily live.  I surrender all, I surrender all. All to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender ALL!” 
 
Help me, Lord to surrender all!
 
God Bless You

Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the Lord. 2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. 3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy[a] all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

4 So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim—two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand from Judah. 5 Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. 6 Then he said to the Kenites, “Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

7 Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt. 8 He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. 9 But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves[b] and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

I Samuel 14 Part 3–Man Made Rules

06 Wednesday Feb 2019

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Things were going so well.  Jonathan had listened to the Lord and as he followed God, He routed the Philistine army.  His faith inspired the army and Israel enjoyed a great victory.  Saul decided to call a fast for all the men.  He imposed the fast until the evening.  Sadly, Jonathan did not hear about the fast and ate some honey.  Immediately God withdrew his blessing.  The king imposed a rule on God’s behalf, and now his son violated it.  So, as a result the Israelites had to stop the route and go home.
 
I am sure Saul meant well, but, He forgot to seek God before imposing a fast in the middle of a battle.  Had he sought the Lord, God would have said–this is not the best time, your men are expending a great amount of energy fighting–they need food.  None the less, Saul’s rule caused his son to sin and ended Israel’s victory.  Jonathan was mad, Saul was grieved and God was silenced on that day.  
 
In our lives, we have to be careful about imposing self-made rules to show God how religious we really are.  God looks at our hearts.  If we submit to Him and He molds is into His image–the Lord will lead us to actions that are necessary to become more like Him.  God does not need our help to make ourselves more religious.  We simply need to trust God to lead and follow that lead each day.  In Colossians 2:20-23 Paul says it best,”Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”
 
God Bless You

Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food.

25 The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. 26 When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.[c] 28 Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.”

29 Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”

1Samuel 14 Part 2–Leading God’s Way

05 Tuesday Feb 2019

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Israel seemed defeated and scattered. Men had defected, others simply ran away and hid. Then Jonathan sought the Lord’s help and direction and routed an outpost with no one but the Lord and Jonathan’s armor bearer. When the remaining troops saw what Jonathan had done, they revived, reorganized, returned and attacked.  In addition, the mighty Philistine army panicked and melted like a group of children. Israel attacked and routed the Philistine army, that day.  The entire face of the battle and the army turned because one leader trusted God and did what God led him to do.
 
In our lives, we need to follow the same pattern for life.  We need to trust God, wait on him, and step according to His lead–and not our own.  There are times when the battle seems hopeless, but with God’s leadership and assistance, the victory can be ours.  We need not fear life–we need to trust God. Paul said it best, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control..” 2 Timothy 1:7.  If we will lead like Jonathan, God can and will deliver the battle into our hands!
 
God Bless You

Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.[a]

16 Saul’s lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions. 17 Then Saul said to the men who were with him, “Muster the forces and see who has left us.” When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there.

18 Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (At that time it was with the Israelites.)[b]19 While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

20 Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords. 21 Those Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to their camp went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 When all the Israelites who had hidden in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit.23 So on that day the Lord saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.

I Samuel 12–Samuel’s Farewell Address

30 Wednesday Jan 2019

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God gave Israel what they asked for. He gave them a king.  But He was not about to do so without making clear that Israel’s choice, (to be like everyone else), was the ultimate rejection of God.  He called them to be holy–separate from everyone else. But throughout the history of Israel, they turned aside from God time after time.  When they did so, they fell into captivity and were treated horribly.  They would then return to God and He would deliver them. Sadly, once free, they would return to their wicked ways and God would once again pull back.

God saw that giving Israel a king put power into the hands of a leader that could easily lead them away from Him.  The king would also take their freedom and make them subject to his will not God’s. The people began to grasp how they had destroyed a great gift–true freedom, by taking a king.  Samuel encouraged them–he let them know that God would not abandon them despite their rejection of Him. He was clear, however, that If the king or the people walked away from God, then the nation would be on its own.

The same holds true for us. God wants to lead us and keep us free. Daily pressures are constantly drawing us away from the very One that can free us.  We are often looking for a quick fix to make things easier rather than looking for God’s lead to make things better.  Like Israel, we are constantly looking around at what others have; rather than looking to God to see what he has planned for us.  God will not share the throne. Either we choose to follow Him, or we choose to abandon Him–He allows either. Simply put, if we choose to follow the Lord–our lives will be full, meaningful and purposeful. If we abandon Him, we will have what the rest of the world has–chaos and madness!

God Bless You

Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. 2 Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. 3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”

4 “You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.”

5 Samuel said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.”

“He is witness,” they said.

6 Then Samuel said to the people, “It is the Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up out of Egypt. 7 Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the Lord as to all the righteous acts performed by the Lord for you and your ancestors.

8 “After Jacob entered Egypt, they cried to the Lord for help, and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your ancestors out of Egypt and settled them in this place.

9 “But they forgot the Lord their God; so he sold them into the hand of Sisera, the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them. 10 They cried out to the Lord and said, ‘We have sinned; we have forsaken the Lord and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve you.’ 11 Then the Lord sent Jerub-Baal,[a] Barak,[b] Jephthah and Samuel,[c] and he delivered you from the hands of your enemies all around you, so that you lived in safety…“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes! 17 Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call on the Lord to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the Lord when you asked for a king.”18 Then Samuel called on the Lord, and that same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the Lord and of Samuel.

19 The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”

20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.

I Samuel 11 Part 2–Look at the King WE Picked

29 Tuesday Jan 2019

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People are funny.  Here, Israel was so concerned about Samuel’s sons’ corruption, that they demanded to have a king.  God provided them the coolest king–tall, dark and handsome. Then, as Samuel anointed Saul, several leaders said in effect–“He ain’t my king!” Then the Ammonites started terrorizing the people and Saul, with God’s power, led Israel to a great victory! Now everybody was on board. It was time to throw a party.  The people were so proud of themselves–“Look at this great King WE picked!” In the land, there was great celebration. 

Israel had no idea what they were choosing.  As they submitted to God’s leadership, He blessed them, protected them, provided for them and made them a nation to be reckoned with. Now, they had a king. If they submitted to the king, he would lead them but, he would also make pretty difficult demands upon them, their families and their possessions. If they failed to submit–well that would be treason and they would die. Kings did not possess the grace and mercy that God possessed. God loved them like His kids. A King treated them like his subjects. 

The saddest part of living independent from the Lord is that God is the only leader that longs for us to be free. God has no personal agenda, separate from seeing us have a great life.  He needs nothing from us, and He only  wants what is best FOR us. Both then and now–God simply wants to be in relationship with His own.  That is why Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be added to you!” Matthew 6:33. The Lord still offers to be our King, and by following the Lord, we can truly experience freedom as it is meant to be!

God Bless You

The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.”

13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.”

14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.”15 So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.

I Samuel 9 Part 1–Israel Get’s their King

23 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Devotions, Holiness, spiritual warfare, wisdom, worship

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The people wanted a cool king, one that looked good that was powerful and would lead them–like all the other kings.  God heard their cry.  He found a young man among the tribe of Benjamin named Saul. Saul was the tallest and most handsome man in Israel.  So God told Samuel that He would send Saul Samuel’s way, and that Samuel was to anoint Saul as King.  Saul was not from any royal lineage–because until then, Israel had no such a thing.  So, as God was choosing a king–He could choose anyone. So He used the people’s standard–tall, strong and handsome. Israel had no idea what they were asking for, but, God was fine to give it to them.
 
In our lives, we often think we have things all figured out.  We call on God to make our plan a reality.  God is patient and kind. In that, He will often not give us what we think we need–instead God will give us what we truly need. Still, there are other times when God will warn us of a danger, but, then allow us to execute our plan. As we do, He also allows us to experience the consequence of the plans we made.  It is often difficult, sad and painful. Still in the midst of it, God loves us and will walk through the path with us–knowing we have made a mess.  We must never be afraid to admit we tried to take the thrown and repent.  We also must listen and seek the Lord; so, we can follow His plan and not ours.
 
God Bless You
There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. 2 Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else…

But the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.”

7 Saul said to his servant, “If we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”

8 The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have a quarter of a shekel[a] of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take.” 9 (Formerly in Israel, if someone went to inquire of God, they would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.)

10 “Good,” Saul said to his servant. “Come, let’s go.” So they set out for the town where the man of God was.

11 As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water, and they asked them, “Is the seer here?”

12 “He is,” they answered. “He’s ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place. 13 As soon as you enter the town, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not begin eating until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat. Go up now; you should find him about this time.”

14 They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place.

15 Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: 16 “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.”

17 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”

18 Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”

19 “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart. 20 As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?”