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1 Samuel 8-12
Israel Disses God
and Demands a King
Psalm 41:6-13 Knowing God Delights in You
6.If he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood. His heart gathers iniquity to itself. When he goes abroad, he tells it.7.All who hate me whisper together against me. They imagine the worst for me.8."An evil disease," they say, "has afflicted him. Now that he lies he shall rise up no more."9.Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.10.But you, Yahweh, have mercy on me, and raise me up, that I may repay them.11.By this I know that you delight in me, because my enemy doesn’t triumph over me.12.As for me, you uphold me in my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.13.Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and amen."Observation
41:6-13.Adding to his grief are the false friends and false speakers. Those with whom he ate bread have violated Middle Eastern custom in turning against him. But his trust is in God who has mercy on His repentant people. The psalmist asks to be raised up to repay his enemies. He knows that God delights in Him, because He has not allowed his enemies to triumph over him. He blesses God, because he knows God will uphold and bless him once again.
Application
The fact that we are not consumed by our enemies is a token of God's favor, for which we should praise Him, while awaiting further deliverance and delight.
Prayer
God, thanks that I can trust in You, and know I will never be disappointed (unlike when I trust in people); thanks too, that You protect me and will set me in Your presence to enjoy You forever. Amen.
Proverbs 11:19-23 Pick a Path to Pleasure or Pain
19.“As righteousness leads to life. He who pursues evil finds his own death.20.Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.21.Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the seed of the righteous will be delivered.22.Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.23.The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.“Observation
11:19-23.This group of proverbs describes the outcomes of two choices or behaviors, and in doing so is classic wisdom literature. Righteousness results in life, delighting God, deliverance, and good. Evil results in death, displeasing God, punishment, and wrath. Which is the wiser choice? Verse 22 doesn't initially appear to fit the pattern until one recognizes the chiastic structure centered around verse 21, with 19 corresponding to 23 and 20 to 22 (around the theme of what is pleasing or displeasing). Taken on it's own, there is an important lesson in verse 22. Beauty with window dressing (ie, make-up, jewelery, etc) but without character (discretion) is about as attractive as an ornamented pig.
Application
Where do you want to go? What path will get you there? (Wisdom is choosing the right objective and the right means of attaining it.)
Prayer
Lord, I want to have an abundant life, and use it to please and glorify You, as I experience your goodness. Amen.
1 Samuel 8-12 Israel Disses God and Demands a King
These chapters detail the demand of the people for a king to fight their battles, in spite of the downsides and the disloyalty to God their demand entails. Instead of being holy to God and looking to Him for deliverance, they want to look just like the pagan nations (who incur God's destruction rather than deliverance). God lets them choose their way, and they violate the covenant, but He remains loyal to His promises to bless or curse depending upon their obedience.
1 Samuel 8 Seeking a King
1.When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.2.Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beersheba.3.His sons didn’t walk in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted justice.4.Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel to Ramah;5.and they said to him, "Behold, you are old, and your sons don’t walk in your ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.6.But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." Samuel prayed to Yahweh.7.Yahweh said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in all that they tell you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not be king over them.8.According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also to you.9.Now therefore listen to their voice: however you shall protest solemnly to them, and shall show them the way of the king who shall reign over them.10.Samuel told all the words of Yahweh to the people who asked of him a king.11.He said, "This will be the way of the king who shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them to him, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and they shall run before his chariots;12.and he will appoint them to him for captains of thousands, and captains of fifties; and he will assign some to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots.13.He will take your daughters to be perfumers, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.14.He will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive groves, even their best, and give them to his servants.15.He will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.16.He will take your male servants, and your female servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work.17.He will take the tenth of your flocks: and you shall be his servants.18.You shall cry out in that day because of your king whom you shall have chosen you; and Yahweh will not answer you in that day."19.But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, "No; but we will have a king over us,20.that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles."21.Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of Yahweh.22.Yahweh said to Samuel, "Listen to their voice, and make them a king." Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Every man go to his city."Observations
8:1-3.Samuel was so busy running all over the country side judging God's people, that he neglected the home front. He might as well have been sitting in Eli's lazy-boy recliner, for just like Eli, he raised boys without self-control who did not fear God. This proves to be a stumbling block for the nation, serving as the impetus to repudiate God's rulership.
8:4-6.
Instead of being a holy people, separate and distinct from all the nations, the Israelites reject God as their king, and want to be just like the other nations with a king to go before them and fight their battles instead of Yahweh.
8:7-18.
God has Samuel warn them that the king will take the best of their stuff and people, and then levy a ten percent tax on top of that; they will cry out to God for deliverance from the king, but God won't listen (because they didn't want to listen to Him). The last chapter of Judges (See that post, under Digging Deeper) presents an “ad hoc” form of government which was much less expensive than supporting a kingly administration and a standing army.
8:19-22.
Like all stupid sinners intent on having their poisonous will at the expense of God's perfect will, they are immune to reason, and want to be just like the other nations. God agrees, because He's spent enough time dealing with their rejection, and, He has a plan.
Application
Confidence in God gives courage to not be a lemming like everyone else
Prayer
Mighty and wise God, may I never settle for the security of decaying flesh at the expense of living under Your protection and blessing. Amen.
1 Samuel 9 Seeking Donkeys
1.Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish...a mighty man of valour.2.He had a son, whose name was Saul, an impressive young man; and there was not among the children of Israel a better person than he. From his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.3.The donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. Kish said to Saul his son, "Take now one of the servants with you, and arise, go seek the donkeys."5.When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, and let us return, lest my father stop caring about the donkeys, and be anxious for us."6.He said to him, "See now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man who is held in honor. All that he says comes surely to pass. Now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go."7.Then Saul said to his servant, "But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?"8.The servant answered Saul again, and said, "Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way."15.Now Yahweh had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying,16."Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel; and he shall save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked on my people, because their cry has come to me."17.When Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh said to him, "Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! this same shall have authority over my people."18.Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, "Please tell me where the seer’s house is."19.Samuel answered Saul, and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today. In the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is in your heart.20.As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don’t set your mind on them; for they are found. For whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you, and for all your father’s house?"21.Saul answered, "Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me like this?"27.As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant pass on before us" (and he passed on), "but stand still first, that I may cause you to hear the word of God."Observations
9:1-8.Saul is introduced as an outwardly impressive young man, on a quest for his father's donkeys. He providentially finds himself at Samuel's town and stops to ask for help.
9:15-17.
The Lord of heaven, earth, kings and donkeys revealed to Samuel that Saul was His choice for king. A seer, someone who could see or perceive God's will is what they called a prophet.
9:18-27.
Saul's response to the honor Samuel showed him betrayed his basic sense of inadequacy, similar to Gideon's.
Application
Our inner identity must conform to God's revelation about us, not our past imperfect reality.
Prayer
God who calls into being what previously didn't exist, may I view myself as You view me, and eagerly embrace Your truth about myself. Amen.
1 Samuel 10 No Confidence in God
1.Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed him, and said, "Isn’t it that Yahweh has anointed you to be prince over his inheritance?2.When you have departed from me today, then you shall find two men by Rachel’s tomb, in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will tell you, ‘The donkeys which you went to seek have been found; and behold, your father has stopped caring about the donkeys, and is anxious for you, saying, "What shall I do for my son?"’3."Then you shall go on forward from there, and you shall come to the oak of Tabor; and three men shall meet you there going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three young goats, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:4.and they will greet you, and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall receive of their hand.5."After that you shall come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall happen, when you have come there to the city, that you shall meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tambourine, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they will be prophesying:6.and the Spirit of Yahweh will come mightily on you, and you shall prophesy with them, and shall be turned into another man.7.Let it be, when these signs have come to you, that you do as occasion shall serve you; for God is with you.8."You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and behold, I will come down to you, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: you shall wait seven days, until I come to you, and show you what you shall do."9.It was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs happened that day.10.When they came there to the hill, behold, a band of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came mightily on him, and he prophesied among them.11.It happened, when all who knew him before saw that, behold, he prophesied with the prophets, then the people said one to another, "What is this that has come to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?"12.One of the same place answered, "Who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"13.When he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.14.Saul’s uncle said to him and to his servant, "Where did you go?" He said, "To seek the donkeys. When we saw that they were not found, we came to Samuel."15.Saul’s uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel said to you."16.Saul said to his uncle, "He told us plainly that the donkeys were found." But concerning the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel spoke, he didn’t tell him.17.Samuel called the people together to Yahweh to Mizpah;18.and he said to the children of Israel, "Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you’:19.but you have this day rejected your God, who himself saves you out of all your calamities and your distresses; and you have said to him, ‘No! Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before Yahweh by your tribes, and by your thousands."20.So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken.21.He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families; and the family of the Matrites was taken; and Saul the son of Kish was taken: but when they sought him, he could not be found.22.Therefore they asked of Yahweh further, "Is there yet a man to come here?" Yahweh answered, "Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage."23.They ran and fetched him there; and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.24.Samuel said to all the people, "You see him whom Yahweh has chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?" All the people shouted, and said, "Let the king live!"25.Then Samuel told the people the regulations of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before Yahweh. Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.26.Saul also went to his house to Gibeah; and there went with him the army, whose hearts God had touched.27.But certain worthless fellows said, "How shall this man save us?" They despised him, and brought him no present. But he held his peace.Observations
10:1-1.Samuel anoints Saul as a prince (who rules under a King) of God's inheritance/possession, the nation of Israel.
10:2-8. Prophets also thanked and praised God (1Chron 25:1-3) Through Samuel, God gives Saul three signs that He is with him, and one instruction: wait for Samuel before the sacrifice.All three signs are fulfilled, validating beyond a doubt that all Samuel said was from God. The instruction places the kingship under spiritual direction and was probably elaborated upon in conversation. It was not something to immediately do (as the next chapters indicate it would be impossible to do so), but a general rule for the future (so writes Josephus). Unfortunately by the time we get to Chapter 13, Saul will have forgotten this first command and the priority of obedience.
10:9-16.
Even though Saul had the Spirit of God upon Him (although temporarily), and he had a different heart (10:6,9), his self image doesn't appear to change. Saul is silent about God's plan and his role in it, revealing his basic inadequacy. Hiding in the baggage rather than shouldering the responsibility to serve God is a sad picture of those who focus on themselves rather than God. Neither he nor Israel had confidence in God.
10:19-19.
God again honors the choice of the people, even though they reject Him in making that choice. He doesn't force them to accept Him.
10:23-27.
Samuel presents Saul as God's choice for their king; most acclaim him; some follow; and some reject.
Application
Rejecting God's way is always the more costly and painful option.
Prayer
God who delivers, help me have my focus and faith exclusively in You and Your promises. Amen.
1 Samuel 11 God Delivers Through Saul
1.Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh Gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you."2.Nahash the Ammonite said to them, "On this condition I will make it with you, that all your right eyes be put out; and I will lay it for a reproach on all Israel."3.The elders of Jabesh said to him, "Give us seven day, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you."4.Then the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, and spoke these words in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voice, and wept.5.Behold, Saul came following the oxen out of the field; and Saul said, "What ails the people that they weep?" They told him the words of the men of Jabesh.6.The Spirit of God came mightily on Saul when he heard those words, and his anger was kindled greatly.7.He took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the borders of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, "Whoever doesn’t come forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen." The dread of Yahweh fell on the people, and they came out as one man.8.He numbered them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.9.They said to the messengers who came, "Thus you shall tell the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have deliverance.’" The messengers came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.10.Therefore the men of Jabesh said, "Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you shall do with us all that seems good to you."11.It was so on the next day, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it happened, that those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.12.The people said to Samuel, "Who is he who said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring those men, that we may put them to death!"13.Saul said, "There shall not a man be put to death this day; for today Yahweh has worked deliverance in Israel."14.Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there."15.All the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before Yahweh in Gilgal; and there they offered sacrifices of peace offerings before Yahweh; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.Observations
11:1-1.The town had been wiped out in Judges 21, and eventually repopulated.
11:2-9.
When farmer-king Saul hears the weeping and its cause, the Spirit of God comes temporarily upon him again, and he rallies the troops with fear of turning their oxen (means of farming) into BBQ. The fear of Yahweh comes upon the people and they unite to defend Jabesh Gilead.
11:8-14.
God delivers under the leadership of Saul and people embrace (literally=intentionally renew) Saul's kingship.
Prayer
God, no human can ever replace You in my life. Amen.
Application
People who don't have a relationship with God based upon His revelation, rally around what they can see, rather than what God has said (no faith).
1 Samuel 12
1.Samuel said to all Israel, "Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.2.Now, behold, the king walks before you; and I am old and gray-headed; and behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my youth to this day.3.Here I am. Witness against me before Yahweh, and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Of whose hand have I taken a ransom/bribe to blind my eyes therewith? I will restore it to you."4.They said, "You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything of any man’s hand."5.He said to them, "Yahweh is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand." They said, "He is witness."6.Samuel said to the people, "It is Yahweh who appointed Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.7.Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before Yahweh concerning all the righteous acts of Yahweh, which he did to you and to your fathers.8."When Jacob had come into Egypt, and your fathers cried to Yahweh, then Yahweh sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt, and made them to dwell in this place.9."But they forgot Yahweh their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them.10.They cried to Yahweh, and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken Yahweh, and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.’11.Yahweh sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you lived in safety.12."When you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us’; when Yahweh your God was your king.13.Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen, and whom you have asked for: and behold, Yahweh has set a king over you.14.If you will fear Yahweh, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, then both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of Yahweh your God.15.But if you will not listen to the voice of Yahweh, but rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, then will the hand of Yahweh be against you, as it was against your fathers.16."Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which Yahweh will do before your eyes.17.Isn’t it wheat harvest today? I will call to Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of Yahweh, in asking for a king."18.So Samuel called to Yahweh; and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel.19.All the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king."20.Samuel said to the people, "Don’t be afraid. You have indeed done all this evil; yet don’t turn aside from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart.21.Don’t turn aside to go after vain things which can’t profit nor deliver, for they are vain.22.For Yahweh will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people to himself.23.Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.24.Only fear Yahweh, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he has done for you.25.But if you shall still do wickedly, you shall be consumed, both you and your king."Observations
12:1-5.Samuel was blameless in not defrauding or taking Israel's possessions (unlike future kings).
12:6-13.
A brief history lesson shows the folly of wanting a king other than Yahweh, yet God gives them their demand, and the way to prosper under second-best.
12:14-20.
Wholehearted obedience (fear, serve, listen, not rebel) is still required for blessing, and curses are promised for disloyalty. Samuel calls for and God delivers an unseasonal thunder and rain show to reinforce the teaching. Samuel underscores the evilness of the people in seeking protection apart from God (covenantal disloyalty). The people confess their sins and seek Yahweh's protection.
12:20-25.
Samuel prays for and instructs the people, repeating the covenantal obligation to follow in truth with all their heart for continued blessing, and promising destruction for disloyalty.
Application
Regardless of whether we're experiencing God's best or second-best, the best course of action is to wholeheartedly trust and obey.
Prayer
God, I've set my heart to follow You all of my days; guide my heart and will to do what is pleasing in Your sight. Thanks. Amen.
Digging Deeper
Digging Deeper:God in a nutshell: God patiently nudges people toward what's best for them, but lets them make choices and live with the consequences of their choices, even though they choose poorly. He is faithful to let us reap the mandated consequences for sin, and when we repent, He graciously relents and rescues us. He calls us to hear, fear, serve, trust obey Him in order to reap His blessings, even when we've rejected Him.
Us in a nutshell: We have a seemingly limitless capacity for stupidity and low tolerance for self-inflicted pain which results from bad choices. We tend to have a limited memory of what God has done for us, and a boundless enthusiasm for straying from Him. We base our worth and value on what we incorrectly perceive, and improperly process, rather than on what God has revealed; consequently, we reject Him and feel inadequate. We can't experience His best, or even second-best, while rejecting Him.