Explore the Bible Lesson Preview July 10, 2016 Judged Background: 1 Samuel 13:1-15:35

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview July 10, 2016 Judged Background: 1 Samuel 13:1-15:35 Lesson: 1 Samuel 15:7-15, 22-23Motivation: Partial obedience is often total disobedience. Saul s pride almost cost him his son, and did cost him his fellowship with God and the throne for his lineage. Examination: I. Foolish Presumption (13:1-23) A. Saul s Reign (1) Believer s Study Bible, p. 393: 13:1 This note concerning the chronology of Saul s reign is like those found in the Books of Kings (cf. 1 Kin. 14:21). There is something lacking in the Hebrew text, however, which reads literally, Saul was years old when he began to reign. Now when he had reigned two years... The Septuagint supplies 30 and the Syriac 21 for Saul s age when he became king. In any case, the first clause would seem to speak of his age at his accession and not his length of reign. Some scholars believe that the two years should stand alone in the text indicating the length of Saul s reign from his anointing until David s anointing. A more likely view is that after he had reigned two years the Philistine war broke out again. Whatever the solution, it is obvious that the reference in Acts 13:21 to a 40-year reign for Saul is based on information with which Paul was familiar. Future manuscript discoveries and textual criticism may eventually provide the original reading of the text. B. Saul s Rejection but now your reign will not endure (14) Saul made at least two mistakes that led to God s serious punishment: 1. Pride: Jonathan attacked the Philistine garrison... (3a)... So Saul blew the ram s horn... (3b) 1 / 11

2 Jonathan won the victory but Saul took the glory. 2. Presumption Then he (Saul) offered the burnt offering (9) One of the signs Samuel was prophesied (10:8) concerned this seven day wait. Saul was faced with overwhelming opposition (5), a deserting army (6), and an absent prophet (8). Although Saul knew that only priests of the tribe of Levi were to offer burnt offerings for the people, he must have rationalized that since Samuel was late and the circumstances were dire, God would understand. C. Saul s Rabble Saul registered the troops who were with him, about 600 men (15) The army that defeated the Ammonites numbered 350,000 (11:8). Not only was Saul s decimated army small, they were ill-equipped (22). The pitiful force left to face the Philistine juggernaut is a good object lesson of God s truth (14:6). History records that Saul s army would triumph and that Saul would reign for forty years. II. Saul s Pride (14:1-52) A. Pride Begins With a Lack of Perspective While Saul sat in camp with his ragtag army, Jonathan and his armor bearer decided to trust God. Perhaps the will help us. Nothing can keep the from saving, whether by many or by few (6) Saul seemed to be trusting in his military skills while Jonathan was trusting the. It is said that the British General Allenby studied this chapter before winning a great victory in WWI. B. Pride Overlooks God s Power When Paul writes I am crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20), he reveals the utter helplessness of a person apart from Christ. We must die to our ambition, self-sufficiency and reputation. God rescued Israel through the faithfulness of two willing servants. In verse 17, the rout was already in progress but Saul was counting heads to see how it happened. C. Pride Allows Persistent Sin Surely Saul heard of the severe judgment upon the Israelites for misusing the Holy instruments of God (4:4). Yet, Saul said Bring the ark of God (18). We know that the ark remained at Kirath-Jearim (2 Sam. 6:1-17), so either Saul was 2 / 11

3 unsuccessful or, in fact, he was asking for the next best thing, the priest s ephod. Caught up in the pride of power, Saul issued a rash oath (24). Incredibly, Saul also prepared to make another sacrifice (35). Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18). D. Pride Precludes God s Presence So Saul inquired of God... But God did not answer him that day (37) God is either of all or not at all. E. Pride Leads to poor Decisions Saul declared to him, May God punish me and do so severely if you do not die, Jonathan. (44) The results of Saul s prideful actions were cumulative; now he was faced with killing the crown prince! Having tolerated Saul s attitude to this point, the people finally intervened to save Jonathan (45). King s don t like to be told no ; but, Saul backed down. F. Pride Blocks God s Promises The conflict with the Philistines was fierce all of Saul s days. (52) Saul paid a high price for his disobedience and pride: 1. Loss of his royal line (13:14) 2. Loss of fellowship with his son (44) 3. Loss of obedience of his army (45) 4. Loss of the pursuit of the Philistines (46) 5. Loss of security from the Philistines (52) 3 / 11

4 III. Difficult Assignment (I Sam. 15:1-6) Now go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have (3) B eliever s Study Bible, p. 397: 15:3 Total annihilation of those defeated in warfare was a common occurrence in this period of history. The practice was known as herem (Heb.), meaning devoted to destruction. Inanimate objects were either destroyed or reserved for the use of the, e.g. in the temple treasuries. Critics often claim that God never issued such a command to annihilate even women and children, a command obviously at variance with the character of God. The willingness of such critics to sit in judgment upon the Bible is inappropriate in light of our ignorance of the total circumstances surrounding this judgment, and in light of Rom. 9: Circumstances which may well have precipitated the totality of this judgment include the extent of evil and idolatry among the Amalekites, the contamination of surrounding peoples, especially Israel, and the threat of painful loss, if not extermination, at the hand of the Amalekites. IV. Saul s Disobedience (15:7-9) Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt. 8 He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. 9 But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. (15:7-9) A. Obedience Then Saul attacked the Amalekites (7) ) B. Obedience everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. (9 4 / 11

5 C. Disobedience But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep... (9) Partial obedience is complete disobedience. Sin can always be rationalized 9:15). But, Saul s conduct didn t match God s call. HCSB: p. 467: 15:9 The Hebrew text emphasizes that Saul was the one primarily responsible for sparing Agag. The people also spared the best of everything else, another violation of God s command (v 3). Of course, destroying all the worthless and unwanted things was no great sacrifice. V. Samuel s Confrontation (15:10-21) Then the word of the came to Samuel: 11 I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions. Samuel was angry, and he cried out to the all that night. 12 Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal. 13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, The bless you! I have carried out the s instructions. 14 But Samuel said, What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear? 15 Saul answered, The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the 5 / 11

6 your God, but we totally destroyed the rest. (15:10-15, cf ) A. Contrition 11 I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions. (11) HCSB: p.467: 15:11 The verb regret with God as its subject occurs only here and in Gn 6:7, where it denotes God s regrets over making humanity and His ultimate decision to bring the great flood. In other cases, people make wrong moral choices, and God s foreknowledge meant He knew what people would do. Nonetheless, it pained Him to see the disobedience come to pass. The word translated turned away commonly means repent when it speaks of turning away from sin, but here it describes Saul s conscious decision to cease following the. Samuel was frustrated by Saul s failing kingship, particularly as he remembered he had anointed him (10:1). Saul had indeed turned out to be a king just like the ones of all the other nations (8:5, 20), but the people had persisted in their request despite his sober warnings (8:11-18). B. Concern Samuel was angry, and he cried out to the all that night. (12) Samuel was a man of prayer, so it was natural for him to cry out to the. His anger was directed at Saul (and perhaps the people who demanded a king). Prayer and anger is an interesting combination; it certainly produced a fervency (James 5:16) that resulted in an all-night prayer time. C. Conceit Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor (12) Talk about a blind spot! God was regretful and Samuel was angry; but, Saul was celebrating his accomplishment. It s an interesting study of the dramatically different perspectives of the carnal with the spiritual. Later Samuel confronted Saul with the challenge Although you once considered yourself unimportant, have you not become the leader of the tribes of Israel (17) In essence, it s the wisdom of James 4:6: when you were humble, God exalted you; now that you re proud, God will humble you. 6 / 11

7 D. Corroboration What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears...? (14) Sin always leaves evidence. No matter how crafty the sinner or how noble the motives, God says be sure your sin will find you out. (Num. 32:33) VI. God s Rejection But Samuel replied: Does the delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the, he has rejected you as king. (15:22-23). A. Consistency to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. (22) Believer s Study Bible, p. 398: 15:22 Samuel was not suggesting that the sacrificial system be abolished. Neither was he assigning these practices to a place of relative insignificance. Samuel was insisting that the symbols of the faith of the people were of no value when the disposition of the people was to disobey God and to refuse to listen for His voice. What was true for Israel is true for the church today. Rich symbols degenerate into empty and often superstitious ritual when the practitioners neither obey God nor seek to hear His voice. Saul claimed that he acted in a noble manner to preserve the best of the Amalekite flocks for sacrifice (v. 15: cf. 22:19). Samuel viewed the same act as rebellion, because Saul violated the command of God (v. 3). We often settle for the good instead of the best. B. Character For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry (23) Divination (witchcraft) and idolatry were heinous crimes in Israel. However, 7 / 11

8 one who rebels stubbornly against God is making an idol of himself. Jesus said, If you love Me, keep My commandments (John 14:15). We can proclaim our love for Jesus with words; He wants to see actions. Remember: Works don t lead to eternal life. Faith plus works don t lead to eternal life either. However, faith leads to eternal life plus works (James 2:17). Notice Saul s excuses: 1. Claimed to be obedient I have carried out the s instructions. (13) 2. Shifted the blame The troops brought them from the Amalekites and spared the best sheep and cattle in order to offer a sacrifice to the your God (15) 3. Pointed to success I completely destroyed the Amalekites (20) 4. Limited confession I have sinned Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them. (24) 5. Promised to do better return with me so I can worship the (25). 6. Tried to take matters into his own hands When Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore (28). C. Consequences 1. Kingdom lost (26). 8 / 11

9 2. Fellowship broken (30-31) Samuel still loved Saul (35) but could not fellowship with him. 3. Public humiliation (33) The prophet had to do what the King refused to do. 4. God s favor lost (35). Application: 1. God honors faith. 2. Partial obedience is disobedience. 3. Pride reaps disastrous consequences. Leader Pack Item 13: Poster: 1 Samuel 15:22 Biblical Illustrator: p. 71 Who were the Amalekites? p. 79 Destroy Them All Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: g ; Dates: /13 7/17 Pastor Gregg s Sabbatical; 7/10 HUB Ultimate WF; 7/10-14 Houston 1:8/Houston Project thru 15 9 / 11

10 th ; 7/18 RUSHWEEK Rally; 7/22-28 RUSHWEEK 2016; 7/24 s Supper; 7/24 SPF Birthday Bash; 7/29 Family Mission Trip (Loop Only); 7/31 School Supply Collection; 8/6 Inspirational Writers Conference; 8/8 HUB Battlefield; 8/13 Oasis Single Mom s Conference; 8/19-20 HUB LBS Volunteer Leader Hunt; 8/21 Back to School Sunday & Welcome to the Loop; 8/21 SPF Birthday Bash; 8/24 Midlink Preview Night; 8/27 Parent Conference; 8/31 AMP/WIRED Back 2 School night; 9/9-11 SPF Family Stoney Creek Ranch; 9/11 Fall LBS Luncheon; 9/12-14 ION Conference; 9/17 Men:Serve; 9/ th gr. Event & Parent Hang out; 9/18 Make It Your Church Orientation; 10 / 11

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a man after my own heart (Acts 13:22 NIV). We see in the call of David, those early indications of character which made him dear to God.

a man after my own heart (Acts 13:22 NIV). We see in the call of David, those early indications of character which made him dear to God. Explore the Bible Lesson Preview July 17, 2016 Anointed! Background: 1 Samuel 16:1-23 Lesson: 1 Samuel 16:4-13Motivation: Of all the kings mentioned in the Bible, King David was the only one called by