1 Samuel 8:1-3, 7-8, 9:2, 13:7-17, 15:12-23

Transcription

1 HOW GOD TURNS NOBODIES INTO SOMEBODIES. David-a man of unique ability, yet great tragedy. He was grace gifted, but human to a fault. He was strong as a military leader, but is made of blood and bone-sharing our struggles of spirit and soul. Before looking more closely at his life-we ll take some time to look at the background of the time he lived. We ll also examine Saul s life and his mistakes and how and why God chose this Shepherd boy to be a Kong of Israel. 1 Samuel 8:1-3, 7-8, 9:2, 13:7-17, 15:12-23

2 SAUL- A BAD EXAMPLE. THE He was the tallest, most handsome man among them. But his height and good looks couldn t hide his small and homely heart. As a leader he made three vital mistakes. (three character flaws) PEOPLES CHOICE

3 1. He was.

4 7 Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead. Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear. 8 Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. 9 So he demanded, Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings! And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself. 10 Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, 11 but Samuel said, What is this you have done? Saul replied, I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. 12 So I said, The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven t even asked for the LORD s help! So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came. 13 How foolish! Samuel exclaimed. You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. Had you kept it, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. The LORD has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD s command.

5 2. He was.

6 12 Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal. 13 When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. May the LORD bless you, he said. I have carried out the LORD s command! 14 Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear? Samuel demanded. 15 It s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle, Saul admitted. But they are going to sacrifice them to the LORD your God. We have destroyed everything else. 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, Stop! Listen to what the LORD told me last night! What did he tell you? Saul asked. 17 And Samuel told him, Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD has anointed you king of Israel. 18 And the LORD sent you on a mission and told you, Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead. 19 Why haven t you obeyed the LORD? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the LORD s sight? 20 But I did obey the LORD, Saul insisted. I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. 21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal. 22 But Samuel replied, What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.

7 3. He was. 12 Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.

8 DAVID- A GOOD EXAMPLE, GOD S CHOICE When God chooses someone to use He always looks at the Heart. Look at what Paul told the believers in 1 Corinthians 1: As the marks of weak character began to scar Saul s life, God began to look for a replacement based on three essential qualifications of the heart.

9 1. A heart. 9 The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.

10 2. A heart.

11 70 He chose his servant David, calling him from the sheep pens. 20 I have found my servant David. I have anointed him with my holy oil.

12 3. A heart.

13 71 He took David from tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob s descendants God s own people, Israel. 72 He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands.