The Portrait Of An Unfit Leader 1 Samuel 13:1-23 Introduction

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1 Introduction The last thing a leader wants to hear is step down or step aside. The Lord has put you on the shelf. In life disqualification can be devastating. You work hard and train hard only to drop the baton in the actual race. The passage in this chapter chronicles the act of disobedience that disqualifies Saul as God s king for Israel. The passage will lay the foundations of the rejection of Saul as an unfit leader and set the stage for the acceptance of David the man after God s heart. We sometimes forget that guidance for the future is found in obedience to the Lord in the present. When Moses showed up and told Pharaoh that God wanted him to release the children of Jacob to go and worship Him-- the Pharaoh s response was since they had so much time on their hands they might as well make double the amount of bricks. When Moses gave God s message to the people they were too discouraged to listen (Exodus 11:1-10). The last time Moses spoke it just meant more work for them and greater suffering. But Moses continued to bring the message. People often come to me for advice--but they have no intention of taking that advice. People often come to God for guidance--but like Ahab when he summoned the prophet Micaiah; to tell him what he wanted to hear; to predict success against his enemies; Micaiah said, As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what my God says (2 Chron. 18:12-13). When a person seeks advice--with no intention to obey--the results are always destructive. Sometimes God s guidance follows our plans but sometimes our plans must be sacrificed in order to follow God s guidance. Fear And Panic In The Trials Of Life (vv.1-7) 1 Samuel 13:1 (NKJV) Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, 1 Samuel 13:2 (NKJV) Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the mountains of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent away, every man to his tent. Saul finds himself at an impasse in Michmash. 1 Samuel 13:3 (NKJV) And Jonathan attacked the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear! Jonathan acts--and Saul responds. 1

2 It would seem that Saul acts--only when he is forced to act; only when outward circumstances force Saul to take action. Sometimes we attack the garrisons of Satan--either in our culture or in our lives. An the Philistines take note. We are outnumbered by the forces of evil. The Philistines were for the most part oblivious to the anointing of Saul and the preaching of Samuel. Our own culture typically pays to attention to the Church--unless it is to expose some fallen Church leader or some Christian or Christian denomination does something utterly immoral (like ordain homosexuals to the clergy). 1 Samuel 13:4 (NKJV) Now all Israel heard it said that Saul had attacked a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel had also become an abomination to the Philistines. And the people were called together to Saul at Gilgal. 1 Samuel 13:5 (NKJV) Then the Philistines gathered together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth Aven. 1 Samuel 13:6 (NKJV) When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits. When Satan attacks we often run for the caves, the rocks, the holes, the pits. 1 Samuel 13:7 (NKJV) And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. Faithless And Defiance In The Face Of God s Commands (vv.8-14) 1 Samuel 13:8 (NKJV) Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. Samuel is delayed. We are not told why. At this stage in Israel s history they felt that each war was waged with God s guidance and protection and also that it was to accomplish His purpose. It is easier to understand their blending of political and theological goals in those days than when secular nations in the twentieth century quote the Bible as their guide for conquests that are more economically than spiritually motivated (Ken Chafin; p.107). 2

3 Saul becomes impatient--very impatient. Samuel had instructed Saul to wait--at least seven days--this would give Samuel time to reach the battlefield, lead the troops in worship and sacrifice, and to give spiritual and military advice to Saul. For Saul--the troops are beginning to disperse. Waiting is difficult. For someone like Saul--driven on the outside--driven by feelings--driven by circumstances--waiting is doubly difficult. They watch--they watch the Philistine army grow; the pressure mounts; their is increasing desertion in the ranks; the days go by--agonizingly slow; where is Samuel? What if he doesn t come? What if the old man is dead or captured? 1 Samuel 13:9 (NKJV) So Saul said, Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me. And he offered the burnt offering. Saul does the unthinkable--he orders that the burnt offering and the peace offering be brought to him and he offered the burnt offering. Saul believes it is the ritual that grants God s favor. Why was that such a terrible crime? Why was that such a disqualifying sin? Saul intrudes on the office of the priest; and offers the burnt offering. He also fails to offer the fellowship offerings. There are those who believe they can come to God on their own terms. 1 Samuel 13:10 (NKJV) Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. When Samuel arrives--saul sighs a great sigh of relief. The man of God is here. The seer is present. Saul feels the presence of the prophet will insure Saul victory. He goes out to welcome the prophet. Does Saul sense a stern rebuke is on its way? 1 Samuel 13:11 (NKJV) And Samuel said, What have you done? Saul said, When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, 1 Samuel 13:12 (NKJV) then I said, The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord. Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering. I felt compelled I saw them grow stronger and I saw us grow weaker ---after all what good is faith without works? How could it be wrong when it feels so right?sometimes we look back on our disobedience--and remember just how easy it was to rationalize our behavior. 3

4 The pressure of outward circumstances and the failure of Samuel to show up at the appointed time goads Saul into disobeying the commandment of the Lord. Saul lacks faith in God. Saul s actions prove his lack of faith in the Lord. Saul opts for his own reason--rather than God s revealed will! God is testing Saul. And Saul is supposed to discover there is no ingredient more basic to faith than obedience to God--obedience to the basic principles of the Kingdom! Obedience is the portal to blessing. It is not faith--that provokes Saul to offer the sacrifice--it is fear. Clearly God will make an exception in this circumstance--right? God will condone it this one time right? God will make allowances, over look, pass over, wink, disregard, forget, ignore, look the other way--pay no attention! Saul will offer a series of rationalizations; plausible but untrue excuses of why he did what he did. People who study human nature--and judge human nature--invariably begin to journal excuses. Don Wilder wrote; Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure. Saul gives four excuses: 1. The troops were fleeing the field of battle. 2. The delay of Samuel. 3. The massive troop mobilization by the Philistines. 4. The desperate need to seek the Lord s favor before the attack of Philistines was launched against Israel. Saul confesses his fear of facing the Philistines without the help of the Lord. Saul was driven by external circumstances. There are people who are driven by external circumstances. The people least likely to face their fears, face their depression, face their problems are the ones who are driven by external circumstances. I am not saying there is no place for external circumstances. When the house is burning it makes perfect sense to flee the house. But you cannot allow the external circumstances be your only guide to determine which way you are going to run. There are two kinds of people; those who have a strong sense of internal, personal conviction; and those who have a weak sense of internal personal conviction. All leaders must make decisions--decisions based on principle or circumstance. The person who makes decisions based on circumstance often loses sight of the long range consequences of those decisions. 4

5 When Samuel explains to Saul--how God dealt with Israel in the past; when God dealt with Israel s rebellion in the past; and sees evidence of God s disapproval in the present (vv ); Saul clearly has no clue; Saul is unable to discern his place in God s plan! 1 Samuel 13:13 (NKJV) And Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. Saul did not keep the commandment of the Lord. Saul should have waited. Saul should not have intruded on the office of the priest. 1 Samuel 13:14 (NKJV) But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you. Saul s dynasty will come to an end. Failure And Dependence On Your Own Resource (vv.15-23) 1 Samuel 13:15 (NKJV) Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people present with him, about six hundred men. Samuel turned and walked away from Saul. Remember Saul had been alienated from God; because of his rebellion and disobedience. Now Saul is also alienated from God s prophet. Saul is left to face the enemy on his own. We are not given any indication in the text whether Samuel said anything or prayed anything for Saul. Saul had made a tragic decision of intruding on the office of the priest; of disobeying God s commands; of going it alone. Neither the Lord or the prophet could condone such behavior. Being left alone Saul counted his remaining assets, his remaining resources. 1 Samuel 13:16 (NKJV) Saul, Jonathan his son, and the people present with them remained in Gibeah of Benjamin. But the Philistines encamped in Michmash. The Philistines are now encamped in Michmash; and so Saul establishes a new command post in Gibeah of Benjamin. In a sense--by returning to Gibeah of Benjamin--Saul acknowledges a sort of now contest plea--in order to avoid a battle. 1 Samuel 13:17 (NKJV) Then raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned onto the road to Ophrah, to the land of Shual, 5

6 1 Samuel 13:18 (NKJV) another company turned to the road to Beth Horon, and another company turned to the road of the border that overlooks the Valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness. The Philistines sent out three major raiding parties to harass and plunder and demoralize the surrounding populations of the children of Israel. If they could demoralize the people; it might force an easy victory for the Philistines; perhaps even a full blown surrender; and the Philistines could gain the victory without significant loss of life or resources. Saul feels sorry for himself. Fear reduces him to inactivity; and the overwhelming strength and power of the Philistines paralyze Saul. He knows the raiding parties have gone out; but he does nothing to stop them. The situation--from Saul s perspective seems hopeless. He feels frustrated. He knows the people are looking to him for leadership; for help, but he is powerless to do anything. In the next chapter we find Saul brooding under a pomegranate tree (14:2). Satan seeks our surrender. 1 Samuel 13:19 (NKJV) Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears. The children of Israel were at a technological disadvantage. They were not allowed to manufacture weapons. The people of Israel were not given the right to bear arms. An armed society is a polite society. Our weapons are not carnal but spiritual. We often become confused and frustrated when people say Trust the Lord. We sometimes think that when someone says-- trust the Lord --they are encouraging us to hide from reality or responsibility. It is not wrong to organize, to structure, to plan; it is not wrong to work hard and be wise; but they can never be substitutes for obeying God, trusting God, placing our confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ. The church has plenty of Sauls--but few Samuels--who can see us through all the well reasoned excuses and help us place our ultimate trust in the Lord. When fail to trust God--we sin against God. 6

7 1 Samuel 13:20 (NKJV) But all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen each mans plowshare, his mattock, his ax, and his sickle; The people of Israel were forced to go to the Philistine s to purchase or repair their farm tools; at inflated prices. 1 Samuel 13:21 (NKJV) and the charge for a sharpening was a pim for the plowshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to set the points of the goads. 1 Samuel 13:22 (NKJV) So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan. But they were found with Saul and Jonathan his son. 1 Samuel 13:23 (NKJV) And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash. At some point the garrison of the Philistines sent out a detachment of troops to block the pass at Michmash. This pass was the major road between the two armies. By blocking the pass the Philistines took away the element of surprise attacks; and assured a delay in the event of attack. This would allow the Philistines the opportunity to mobilize the troops and withstand any attack the children of Israel might muster. Saul s disobedience couldn t have come at a worse time. Not that there is ever a good time to disobey God. Saul needed God s help and God s guidance. He sinned when he most needed the Lord. It may be hard for some of us to think long and hard about what we are reading. The last few verses in chapter 13 point to the fact that from a human standpoint; from a merely human way of reasoning; we cannot hold out much hope for the continued existence of the people of Israel. The Philistine raiding parties operated at will; and Saul s men had no way to fight back. There is a strong lesson we must learn. When we face horrible, terrible, life changing circumstances; that is the time to trust the Lord. We need hearts cleansed from sin; we need lives empowered by the Holy Spirit. Now is not the time to use your difficult circumstance as an excuse to disobey the Lord. What will guide your decisions? Pressure from the outside or principle from the inside? What is it that you are facing? Is it an unexpected illness, a financial setback, bankruptcy, broken relationships, divorce, loneliness, depression, distress, emptiness, no sense of purpose, guilt, temptation? Will you allow the Lord to walk with you? Will you trust the Lord? Will you genuinely follow after the Lord; seek the Lord with a heart filled with repentance? Disobedience to the commands of God--can and should disqualify us from serving the Lord. We have the wonderful grace and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus Christ. However--a disobedient person does not seem a likely candidate to proclaim obedience; 7

8 a sinful person to point people to holiness, a wicked person to proclaim righteounsess an immoral person to proclaim morality an unjust person to proclaim justice a foul mouthed person to speak words of purity and truth; an irresponsible person to proclaim responsibility a thief to proclaim honesty or a liar to proclaim truth. Isaiah 25:4 (NKJV) 4 For You have been a strength to the poor, A strength to the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, A shade from the heat; For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV) casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 2 Timothy 4:18 (NKJV) And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! The next chapter opens with a heroic exploit by Jonathan; which destroyed the confidence of the Philistines and rekindled courage among the people of Israel (vv.1-15). 8