Setting The Stage - Part 2
In order to understand the life & times of David we need to back up a bit, and skim through the first several chapters of 1 Samuel. The story of David starts coming in at Chapter 16, though he's hinted at in Chapter 13. Last week we covered Chapters 1-8 very quickly & this week we pick up at Chapter 9 which introduces Saul.
If you miss being here for a lesson & would like a copy of the materials please provide me with an e-mail address.
Let's review quickly so anyone who wasn't here last week isn't horribly lost:
Israel, from the time of the Exodus until the time of Samuel was in an era known as the time of the Judges. The form of Government was known as a Theocracy - i.e. God is their leader. Judges led & worked to resolve civil matters, Priests led & worked to resolve religious matters.
1 Samuel chapters 1-8 (a short reprise)
Chapter 1 - Hannah is barren, cries out to God for a son, Eli the priest initially thinks she's drunk. Eli learns of her grief, pronounces a blessing on her, Hannah has a son (Samuel) & commits him to God for life. Hannah raised Samuel until he was weaned (~ 3 years old).
Chapter 2 - Records Hannah's prayer in which she rejoices in the Lord, she hands over Samuel to the care of Eli the priest. Hannah only sees Samuel about once a year after that, but brings him a new robe each year (she never forgets him). Eli's own sons (priests) are evil - there is a looming crisis in the Priesthood, a prophecy is recorded against Eli's family.
Chapter 3 - God audibly calls Samuel. Samuel is noted as being 100% accurate as a prophet of God (passes the test of a true prophet).
Chapter 4 - The Israelites take the Ark into battle - behaving like pagans & presuming upon God. The Ark is captured, Eli's sons are killed. Eli gets the news & falls over & dies.
Chapters 5 & 6 - The Philistines have trouble as long as they have the Ark, they end up returning the Ark to Israel. (Read this on your own time - humorous account)
Chapter 7 - Samuel intercedes for Israel, the Philistines are routed, during his lifetime they no longer have trouble with the Philistines. (Other enemies are still around)
Chapter 8 - Samuel is the last of Israel's great judges, his sons are also acting as judges but they are corrupt - there is a crisis in the civil leadership of Israel. The people ask for a king "like the other nations", effectively rejecting God as their king. Samuel warns the people what will happen, they want a king anyway.
Now on to King Saul... Why is it important that we learn about King Saul in preparation for studying the life of King David?
- Saul was the 1st king of Israel, David was the 2nd.
- David served King Saul - their lives were intertwined.
Our approach for these remaining chapters that are pre-David: we'll read through relatively quickly & ask a few questions as we go. I'm trying to get us through this material quickly so please follow along & be ready to jump in and read as we go along.
1 Samuel Chapter 9
(1 Samuel 9:1-2) What do we learn about Saul from these verses?
- He is a Benjamite (tribe of Benjamin)
- His father (Kish) is a man of standing.
- He was "impressive", "without equal", "a head taller than any of the others"
- On the surface he looks like "King" material.
(1 Samuel 9:3-5) What traits do we see in Saul up to this point?
- Obedient to his father, hard working.
- Concerned that his father might be worried about him.
(1 Samuel 9:6-13) What insight do you get about Saul from his interactions with the servant & his seeking out the "man of God"?
- Can be swayed (by the servant).
- Willing to seek out God for help.
- Wants to be fair to the "man of God" & offer a gift for his services.
(1 Samuel 9:14-17) How had God prepared Samuel to meet Saul?
- The day before God had told Samuel that a man from Benjamin would come.
- As Samuel approached Saul God indicated His choice.
What had God said about Saul?
- He would be from the tribe of Benjamin.
- He will deliver the Israelites from the Philistines.
(1 Samuel 9:18-21) What did Samuel say to Saul that might have caught Saul's attention & confirmed that Samuel was a "man of God"?
- The donkeys have been found.
What news did Samuel give to Saul about his future & how did Saul react to this news?
- All the desire of Israel is turned to Saul & his father's family. (what do you think this means?)
- Saul's response: I'm just a guy from a little family in a little tribe... why do you say this?
(1 Samuel 9:22-27) What actions did Samuel take with Saul & what purposes might they serve?
- Made Saul the guest of honor at his feast, provided him a special piece of meat set aside for him. Purpose: publicly honor & call attention to Saul in the eyes of the people of his town.
- Invited Saul home & spent time speaking with him "on the roof" (in the culture of the day: common place for guests to be entertained), Saul & Servant stayed overnight. Purpose: build a relationship with Saul, Samuel would be guiding Saul & Saul needed to know & trust Samuel.
- Sent the servant ahead so he could give Saul a message from God. Purpose: a private moment for Samuel to instruct Saul.
What are your initial impressions of Saul?
What do you think Saul was thinking? & How do you think Saul was feeling?
1 Samuel Chapter 10
(1 Samuel 10:1-12) After Samuel anointed Saul for his new position of leadership, he lists off this strange set of circumstances that Saul is going to encounter... what happens?
- God changes Saul's heart.
- Everything Samuel said would happen did happen.
If something like this happened to you, how would you respond?
- I'd be praising God.
- I'd be freaked out & I'd tell everyone all about it.
(1 Samuel 10:13-16) How did Saul respond to everything that happened?
- Initially it appears he went to a "high place" - implies he went to worship God.
- He doesn't tell anyone about the wonderful things that have happened or that Samuel has anointed him to be Israel's leader.
Why might Saul have withheld information?
- There's a hint in verses 11-12, Saul was in essence being taunted because he'd been prophesying.
(1 Samuel 10:17-22) Samuel is presiding over an official ceremony to select a king. How was Israel's first king chosen?
- By tribe, then by clan, then by individual... likely using the Urim & Thummim.
How was Saul responding to this selection process & why do you think he responded this way?
- Saul was hiding.
- He may have been embarrassed, shy, timid, or afraid... He may not have wanted to face additional taunting or persecution... He may not have wanted to be controversial (and he would be as we'll see in the next few verses)... we're really not told why he hid.
(1 Samuel 10:23-27) Saul is presented as their king, what are the various responses of the people?
- "Long live the king!"
- Accompanied home by men that God had touched.
- Some troublemakers despised him & brought him no gifts.
In your mind, how is Saul starting out as king?
Why is his height a positive indicator to the people?
How does this play out in our day (in business or politics)?
1 Samuel Chapter 11
(1 Samuel 11:1-2) What additional purpose, besides humiliation, might be served by gouging out the right eye?
- This was done at times to destroy the military capability of a people, specifically it would ruin the skills of their archers.
(1 Samuel 11:3-8) What did Saul do that got the people's attention?
- Cut up oxen & sent the pieces out with a threat.
Why did he do this?
- "God came upon him with power, and he burned with anger"
What was the result?
- The people turned out "as one man".
(1 Samuel 11:9-10) What deceitful thing do the men of Jabesh do when they hear help is on the way?
- Tell the Ammonites: we'll surrender tomorrow.
Was it ok for them to lie in this way?
- This is tricky... they are at war, this is effectively providing the enemy with bad intel...
(1 Samuel 11:11-15) How would you describe Saul's first attempt at military action?
- Successful! All were killed or scattered.
How did the people respond to Saul's success?
- They effectively said: let's kill any who didn't want you as their king.
How did Saul respond to the people's suggestion?
- He said: no... God rescued Israel.
What was done instead?
- Samuel had Saul reaffirmed as king.
- Sacrifices were made.
- A great celebration ensued.
How is Saul doing as King? What do you think of him at this point in his reign?
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