The last chapter ended with How can this man save us? Chapter 11 is going to present an example of God using the new king.

Transcription

1 Introduction The last chapter ended with How can this man save us? Chapter 11 is going to present an example of God using the new king. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NKJV) Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Abuse takes many forms. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to start an argument? Broadly we can fall into one of two categories; abuser or abused. Verbal attacks and threats can quickly escalate to physical attacks. We are often quick to use the term to abuse to mean anything from disagreement to the hurting of a person s feelings. The root word in the Latin language (abuti) meant to consume. The dictionary definition includes a corrupt practice or custom; improper or excessive use (like abusing a car or a toaster); language that condemns or vilifies; usually unjustly or intemperately or angrily or physical maltreatment. Cruel Threats (vv.1-3) 1 Samuel 11:1 (NKJV) 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. The Ammonites were the descendants of Lot. By now they were distant relatives from the past. How do we go from distant relative to enemy? The Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh that is they surrounded the city with a massive army. Jabesh Gilead was located about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south and east of Bet Shean; about 2 miles east of the Jordan river in the ancient tribal region of Manassah. In the future the men of Jabesh Gilead would remember the kindness of Saul, even after he was slain on Mount Gilboa and rescue his body that was mutilated and on the walls of Bet Shean-- take the bodies (of Saul and his sons) and burn them in Jabesh Gilead. Right from the start the men of Jabesh Gilead attempted a truce--a surrender. In their minds the terms of the surrender means they become slaves and subjects of the Ammonites. Abused people often cave in to threats because they see no way out of their situation. When people use intimidation and threat to control you or manipulate you in order to get you to do what they want--against your will--you are in an abusive relationship. 1

2 1 Samuel 11:2 (NKJV) And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition I will make a covenant with you, that I may put out all your right eyes, and bring reproach on all Israel. Like many abusers the demands are exceedingly high. The cruel condition included gouging out the right eye of every citizen. The purpose of the condition was to disgrace not only the citizens of the city, but to disgrace all Israel as weak and cowardly. The king also knew that blindness in one eye would also seriously handicap the men and help prevent any future revolt. Partial blindness would almost ensure complete and continued subjection of the people of Jabesh Gilead to the Ammonites. Abusers often think of their victims as cowards. Abusers see their victims as commodities, things to be consumed. An abuser may not gouge out your eye; they may be content to punch you or slap you, or kick you or bite you or pull your hair. Abusers feel justified in their abuse; and have no problems trying to excuse their behavior. 1 Samuel 11:3 (NKJV) Then the elders of Jabesh said to him, Hold off for seven days, that we may send messengers to all the territory of Israel. And then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you. The elders of Jabesh make two appeals to the king of Ammon; give them seven days to consider the conditions; and they be allowed to send out messengers to the territory of Israel to appeal for help from their near relatives. You might think, why would the king agree to such conditions? It could be that the king was unwilling to expend resources at that point; or because of a sense of over-confidence--that is what ever army Israel could mobilize would easily be defeated. If an army came it meant more people to conquer and more spoils of war; more spoils meant more wealth. Abusers often count on the disinterest of family, friends and relatives. Or if family and friends are deeply concerned--they may try to isolate you from them. Whatever the king s reason for granting the request; it would prove a fatal mistake. The siege of Ammon on the city of Jabesh- Gilead becomes a kind of picture of abuse and persecution. Communicating and Collecting Your Assets (vv.4-11) 1 Samuel 11:4 (NKJV) So the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the news in the hearing of the people. And all the people lifted up their voices and wept. The people of Jabesh-Gilead sent out messengers as soon as possible. 2

3 1 Samuel 11:5 (NKJV) Now there was Saul, coming behind the herd from the field; and Saul said, What troubles the people, that they weep? And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh. When the news breaks we find Saul coming behind the herd from the field. Saul is back at his old job! A king plowing fields and herding cattle! 1 Samuel 11:6 (NKJV) Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news, and his anger was greatly aroused. The writer of 1 Samuel records the Spirit of God came upon Saul. The original text gives us the impression that the Spirit leaped on him giving him the ability to respond in a bold and dramatic way. The capacity to share God s anger at great injustice is a gift that more people should seek (Chafin; p.95). A spirit of righteous anger welled up inside of Saul. That is not all--god s Holy Spirit also came upon Saul to direct that anger at the threat. 1 Samuel 11:7 (NKJV) So he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whoever does not go out with Saul and Samuel to battle, so it shall be done to his oxen. And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. Saul issues a call across the nation for the troops to report for duty; and he used a graphic illustration to make his point. They were not hacked up in a fit of anger but cut like pieces to be offered as sacrifice to God (Chafin p.96). What happens to one Israeli happens to all Israel. The text says go out with Saul and Samuel to battle. This is a holy war. Obedience to the king--consistent with the prophet--unified against the enemy--in a just cause. And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent --a charismatic leader and a common enemy and a just cause united the people. 1 Samuel 11:8 (NKJV) When he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. Bezek is located some 15 miles west of Jabesh Gilead. 3

4 1 Samuel 11:9 (NKJV) And they said to the messengers who came, Thus you shall say to the men of Jabesh Gilead: Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have help. Then the messengers came and reported it to the men of Jabesh, and they were glad. After the army was mobilized a message of hope was given; you shall have help. 1 Samuel 11:10 (NKJV) Therefore the men of Jabesh said, Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do with us whatever seems good to you. The message is we will come out to you, and you may do with us whatever seems good to you. Are they coming out to surrender or fight? 1 Samuel 11:11 (NKJV) So it was, 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 killed Ammonites until the heat of the day. And it happened that those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together. The Battle Plan Saul comes up with a brilliant strategy; a strategy that employs deception and a surprise attack on the enemy. Saul allows the leaders of Jabesh-Gilead to feign surrender to give king Nahash a false sense of security. Saul separated his men into three divisions for a surprise attack (v.11). At the start of the next day, Saul launches the attack (between 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM). The soldiers fought until the heat of the day (high noon) and the Ammonites are utterly defeated. No two are left standing together. Saul is gripped with a righteous anger that was aroused by the Spirit of God Himself. His anger burned against the cruel savage threats of the Ammonites. The Bible tells us to be angry and not sin. Are you angry when you see people threatened or abused? You should be. I am not good with abuse. I am not down with assault, murder, adultery, extortion, stealing, shoplifting, lying, deception, slothfulness, ridicule, mockery, gossip, false accusations, drunkeness, and I am so not down with drunk driving. We can all make a list of evil things we are against-- Exodus 32:19 (NKJV) So it was, as soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. So Moses anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. Nehemiah 5:6 (NKJV) And I became very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 4

5 (7) After serious thought, I rebuked the nobles and rulers, and said to them, Each of you is exacting usury from his brother. So I called a great assembly against them. Ephesians 4:26 (NKJV) Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, The Holy Spirit came upon Saul and he was given power to overcome the enemies of God. We as believers--filled with the Holy Spirit are invited to conquer our enemies; the enemies that oppress us and abuse us. We have enemies that seek to enslave us, blind us, cripple us; sexual perversion, pornography, greed, selfishness, perverse thoughts, hatred, disease, depression, lack of purpose, lack of hope, financial bondage, debt, bigotry, prejudice, discrimination, slander, false accusations and gossip. We have enemies that confront us throughout our lives; they may be people, they may be ghosts; not invisible disembodied dead people, ghosts from the past, failures that haunt us. Some seek to overwhelm us, control us, blind us, manipulate us, defeat us; bring about premature death or death itself. Are you veteran of abuse? Or are you a person who because of alcohol and drug use or other reasons fallen into the trap of viewing the people who love you as an item for consumption? But there is hope in Jesus. There is hope that by God s Holy Spirit we can conquer our enemies, defeat our enemies, and live lives of victory and triumphant. John 16:33 (NKJV) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. How did Jesus overcome the world? By his death and resurrection. In one sense leadership comes in the heat of battle, conflict, opposition. Trust is earned. Conquering Enemies and Cultivating Convictions (vv.12-15) 1 Samuel 11:12 (NKJV) Then the people said to Samuel, Who is he who said, Shall Saul reign over us? Bring the men, that we may put them to death. A strong conviction came over the army. The conviction that Saul was the right choice to be king. The military warned the citizens to declare their loyalty for Saul and the new form of government. Some soldiers apparently military officers made a threat against the men who had originally opposed Saul as king (see vv.12; 10:27). 1 Samuel 11:13 (NKJV) But Saul said, Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has accomplished salvation in Israel. 5

6 Saul does something right. After a decisive victory over the Ammonites he refuses to act in fear and insecurity or with hostility or animosity against his leadership. Saul exercises true humility and restraint. Saul makes a strong statement that it is the Lord who has made deliverance (v. 13). Saul rightly points out that no one will be put to death that day; God has accomplished a great rescue. For a brief moment--saul conducts himself like a true king, a godly man. 1 Samuel 11:14 (NKJV) Then Samuel said to the people, Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there. Samuel is present. He uses this opportunity to unite the nation; not to simply rally around the king or the new government; but rather to point people to the true and the living God. Samuel suggest that Saul be reaffirmed as king at Gilgal; 1 Samuel 11:15 (NKJV) So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they made sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. In one sense--the Lord is king in Gilgal. God s work had been done--with God s favor. Saul is confirmed in the presence of the Lord; or before the Lord. The people worshipped the Lord by offering sacrifices; peace offerings or fellowship offerings. These point to the covenant, and the renewing of that covenant between the people and the Lord. Saul is able to forgive some of the trouble makers who early on despised him (10:27). The Bible commands us to cultivate a heart of forgiveness. Matthew 5:44 (NKJV) But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Matthew 6:14 (NKJV) For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (15) But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Conclusion The people of Israel were called on by God to honor and support the leader. Does honor and support extend to the wicked, to evil doers and those who dishonor and refuse to support the Lord? Romans 13:1 (NKJV) Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 6

7 Philippians 2:29 (NKJV) Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 1 Thessalonians 5:12 (NKJV) And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 1 Thessalonians 5:13 (NKJV) and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 7