Tag: God

Psalm 11

The book of Psalms was written by various writers such as David, and Moses even wrote a psalm. These chapters reflect life in the community of Israel. These are, at times, a reaction to the circumstances God allows in our lives. David in Psalm 11 is reacting to what Saul was doing to him in 1 Samuel 19 and 20.

The book of Psalms was written by various writers such as David, and Moses even wrote a psalm. These chapters reflect life in the community of Israel. These are, at times, a reaction to the circumstances God allows in our lives. David in Psalm 11 is reacting to what Saul was doing to him in 1 Samuel 19 and 20.

Psalm 11 reflects the situation David was in, which is Saul’s pursuit of him, and then provides a reflection on whom God is, which is the Sovereign Lord.

Psalm 11 presents David trusting that God can deliver despite what is occurring. God is sovereign. Others may flee to protection from other sources for help or protection (Isaiah 50), David remains faithful to his holy foundation. David asks the question: If we attempt to do things our own way, apart from God, how can we expect the basis for our faith and life to remain in tact? If we attempt to find protection in sources other than God, how can we expect protection by God?

He then paints a picture of God sitting sovereignly in His holiness, looking at mankind, judging the hearts of mankind, and delivering those who stay true to Him.

What have we been trusting in for our protection, for our help? Do we look to the mountains, which is symbolic of looking to idols or things, or do we look to God for our help?

Introduction to the Psalms

The book of Psalms was written by various writers such as David, and Moses even wrote a psalm. These chapters reflect life in the community of Israel. These are, at times, a reaction to the circumstances God allows in our lives.

The book of Psalms was written by various writers.  These chapters reflect life in the community of Israel. These are, at times, a reaction to the circumstances God allows in our lives.

Writers of the Psalms:

A possible division of the Psalms can be in terms of the Pentateuch. For example

  • Psalms 1-41 reflect the Sovereign God of creation in Genesis
  • Psalms 42-72 reflect the Redeeming God of Exodus
  • Psalms 73-89 reflect the holy God whom we worship in Leviticus
  • Psalms 90-106 reflect the God who is with us in our wanderings as in Numbers
  • Psalms 107-150 reflect the God of the Word whom we praise as in Deuteronomy

Each of these divisions ends with a doxology, a blessing reflecting the theme of the previous chapters.

  • Altaschith means “Do not destroy.” It occurs in Psalms 57-59 and 75 (see our study of Psalm 57, 58, 59, and 75). Although the meaning is not clear, some have conjectured that it was a tune of a popular song. Isaiah 65.8 seems to reference it.
  • Gittith may refer to a musical instrument created and used by the people of Gath.  Since David stayed with them for a time, it seems plausible.  This term is used in Psalms 8, 81, 84.
  • Higgaion may refer to a musical interlude; a grand pause like Selah (Psalm 9 and 92).  In Psalm 19 the term is translated as “meditate.”
  • Jeduthun, meaning praising, refers to a Levitical family whose duties were to organize the temple music service (1 Chronicles 15.17, 19; 1 Chronicles 16.41, 42; 1 Chronicles 25.1, 3, 6; 2 Chronicles 35.15). Jeduthun’s name is in the inscription found in Psalms 39, 62, 77, and 89.  These Psalms were written by others and were probably written specifically for his choir.
  • Lily of the Covenant (Psalm 60 and Psalm 88) might refer to a tune the psalm is to be sung to.
  • Mahalath is found in the title of Psalm 53 and Mahalath-Leannoth is found in the title of Psalm 88. The meaning of these words is uncertain as it seems with most of the superscriptions in the Psalms. The thought is that mahalath is a guitar, and that leannoth has reference to the character of the psalm. Some see it as equivalent to Maëstoso, which is a direction for performers to play the passage in a majestic manner.
  • Maskil (or Maschil) is a term used to indicate a psalm that was sung at an annual festival.  The NASB describes it as “Possibly Contemplative, or Didactic, or Skillful Psalm” term means skillful instruction.  It is used in thirteen psalms (Psalm 32, 42, 44, 45, 52, 53, 54, 55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142).
  •  A Miktam is a Hebrew word meaning “writing” or “psalm” and could mean that it is an epigrammatic poem or atonement Psalm.  It is found in the superscriptions for Psalm 16 and  Psalms 56–60 (Psalm 16, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60).  These are Psalms written in the form of a prayer due to persistent danger.  In Isaiah 38.9-20 it is translated as “writing.”  Because the Septuagint translates it as “inscription,” it should be understood as “writing.”  Since we do not have a clear understanding of the term, we should go with the interpretation found closest to the source itself unless the understanding contradicts other portions of Scripture.
  • Muth-Labben may refer to the death (מות) of a son of David (Absalom) or the death of Goliath or the death of a fool (a play on Laban’s name).   It is only found in Psalm 9.  It could also be a musical term indicating that soprano boys should sing this tune.
  • Neginoth means stringed instrument (Psalm 4, 6, 54, 55, 61, 67, and 76).
  • Nehiloth or flute or other wind instrument with holes in it (Psalm 5).
  • Selah is a musical term asking us to stop and pause in order to reflect on what has been said.
  • Shemeninth means “an eighth” and is unknown to us.  It could mean an octave, a tune, or a pitch.

Types of Psalms

  • Imprecatory (7, 35, 40, 55, 58, 59, 69, 79, 109, 137, 139, 144).  These psalms are cries to God to bring destruction on those who stand against God and God’s people.
  • Individual Lament (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 35, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 51, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 63, 64, 69, 70, 71, 86, 88, 102, 109, 120, 130, 140, 141, 142, and 143).  These psalms are passionate pleas to God for help in personal situations.
  • National or Community Psalms of Lament (12, 44, 58, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83, 85, 89, 90, 94, 123, 126, 129).  These are passionate pleas to God for national deliverance.
  • Nature Psalms (8, 19, 29, 33, 65, 104). These relate to God’s creative work, which inspires these poetic writings.
  • Song of Ascents or Pilgrimage Psalms (43, 46, 48, 76, 84, 87, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, and 134).  These are songs the pilgrims sung as they went to Jerusalem for the three major holy days of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles (Leviticus 23).
  • Royal Psalms (2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 89, 101, 110, 132, 144).  These relate to the reign of the king.  These can also refer to the coming King, Jesus the Messiah.
  • Messianic Psalms (22, 102,…..) relate to the coming Messiah.
  • Penitential Psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143).  When seeking to confess sins, these are great psalms to read as part of confession when asking God to restore our fellowship with Him (1 John 1.9).
  • Songs (Psalm 65, 66, 67, and 68). These psalms all contain the word “Song” in their heading along with the regular word of Psalm. They begin with the phrase “Praise is due to You” and end with “Blessed be God.”
  • Historical (Psalms 78, 104, 105, 106, 136).  Reading these Psalms will provide an historical perspective on the nation of Israel.
  • The Hallelujah or Hallel Psalms, i.e. Psalms 105, 106, 107, 111–118, 135, 136, 146–150.  Most of these Psalms begin or end with the Hebrew word  הלליה, translated as “Praise the LORD”.

1 Samuel 20

First Samuel 20 presents a friendship based on the desire for the growth in another and not an advancement for the self. Do we find this in our society where everything seems to be for the benefit of the one involved? Can we find this in our society where face-to-face is replaced with a face-book?

First Samuel 20 presents a friendship based on the desire for the growth in another and not an advancement for the self. Do we find this in our society where everything seems to be for the benefit of the one involved? Can we find this in our society where face-to-face is replaced with a face-book?

The setting is the end of chapter 19. David is in Ramah. He finds Jonathan and pleads his case before him. The friendship of the two can be recalled from 1 Samuel 18 and 19. Here Jonathan pledges total devotion to David as does David for Jonathan (1 Samuel 20.17). Jonathan is willing to die in the place of his friend. He asks David, who he knows is going to replace him, to care for his family after he has died (1 Samuel 17.14). This promise is kept in 2 Samuel 9.

Saul was jealous for the throne. His anger continued to rage against David. In verse 30 we see that anger rage against his own son. Saul sees that Jonathan is not standing in the way of David taking Jonathan’s throne. He is enraged with Jonathan. Jonathan defends David. Saul desires David dead.

When we battle against the Lord’s will, we lose. We not only lose the battle, but we also lose our sanity.

1 Samuel 18-19

A review of the regression of Saul seems appropriate here. He is chosen by God as a result of the disobedience of the people (1 Samuel 10, cf. Jeremiah 2 particularly verse 13 and Isaiah 50).

A review of the regression of Saul seems appropriate here. He is chosen by God as a result of the disobedience of the people (1 Samuel 10, cf. Jeremiah 2 particularly verse 13 and Isaiah 50). He receives the Holy Spirit temporarily. Remember that this is an Old Testament phenomenon. In the New Testament the Holy Spirit permanently indwells believers. After his willful rebellion against God, God replaces him with David (1 Samuel 16.13-14). The Spirit is removed from Saul and placed on David. This sets the stage for all that is to come through the rest of 1 Samuel. Our passage today begins in this milieu. David and Jonathan become great friends. Saul seems pleased with all that is occurring. The three of them battle the Philistines and are victorious. The people proclaim God’s work in and through both Saul and David. Saul becomes enraged, jealous, and seeks to kill David from that moment. He does not see God’s work but his. This returns us to the opening verses of 1 Samuel 17 where Saul is focused on himself, not God. When we focus on what we are doing and not on what God is doing, envy, jealousy, strife, anger, rage, etc. (Galatians 5.16-26) become our “fruit.” This is what happened with Saul.

God gives us over to our desires. Since Saul desired to disobey God and not walk in the Spirit, God gave him a spirit that was likened to his desires–an evil one. It is evidence here that Saul has gone crazy. The rest of his career is characterized by vengeance and violence against one who seeks Saul’s best. The remainder of Saul’s life is in pursuit of killing the one who refuses to kill him. What primary goal do you have in life? Is it pursuing your passions or God’s will? When we pursue our desires apart from God, we live insanely (reread Galatians 5.16ff). When we follow God’s will, we are blessed with the life we desire because we are in alignment with His will for us (Matthew 6.33 and 16.24-26).

We see Saul desiring to be part of David’s life in that he admired David’s accomplishments. But his desire to be number one consumed him and he demoted the one who was able to help him. Even in this demoted state, David grew in popularity, was successful, and even Saul stood in awe of him because David was walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.

This motif continues throughout this chapter and the rest of the book. Saul tries to defeat David with many snares, David is victorious, and Saul gets angrier. At times, although sad, it is comical. Think about someone you know that became angry and then began to act foolishly. This is Saul.

He thinks if he can trick David into wanting to marry any daughter of his that David will die by the hand of the Philistines. His logic, “I don’t want David as a son-in-law, but if I can get him to want to marry my daughter he will have to pay a dowry. He won’t be able to afford it. So, I will make it the death of one-hundred Philistines. He will die in the battle. My daughter won’t have to marry him because he will be dead.” Foolish. If God is for us, who can be against us? No one! His planned failed, of course. David defeated the Philistines, his daughter Michal loved David, David became more famous, and Saul’s anger grew.
To make matters worse, Saul’s son Jonathan became David’s best friend. Jonathan even knew that David would take the throne from him. Jonathan was joyful about his because he knew this was God’s will. He didn’t think that because he was a prince that he had a right to the throne, it was in God’s hand. This is in line with what Christ did for us in Philippians 2.5-11.

In chapter 19 Saul’s family intercedes for David and helps him escape from the evil Saul planned for David. David flees to Ramah (just north of Jerusalem) to spend time with Samuel. This is where David begins his career fleeing for his life from the hand of Saul. The end of chapter 19 is odd and gives evidence of the Spirit coming and going while not permanently indwelling in the Old Testament.

Are we willing to stand for God no matter the cost like David, Jonathan, and Michal? Or, like Saul, do we try to sway the situation in our favor where people will like us and applaud us? What is the measure of your success?

1 Samuel 17

This chapter is not only a commentary on David’s replacing Saul as the military leader it is also a comment on the army and on Saul. Saul and his army shrink in fear before Goliath. I don’t think it is a spoiler alert but David slays the giant in God’s strength for His glory.

This chapter is not only a commentary on David’s replacing Saul as the military leader it is also a comment on the army and on Saul. Saul and his army shrink in fear before Goliath. I don’t think it is a spoiler alert but David slays the giant in God’s strength for His glory.

Map of Israel before David was king.  This map shows the place where David met Goliath.

It seems from verses 1-11 that the people of Israel forgot an important part of their existence; they are the people of God, making them the army of God, and making them invulnerable as long as they are working toward His purpose. God called them to rid the nation of Philistines. It seems they could not remember that God promised them the land and promised that He would be with them. Partly because of Saul and his rebellion against God, partly due to their preoccupying their mind with the circumstances of the day, and partly because they were listening to the taunts of their enemy and believing what he said. Goliath reminded them each day that he was a Philistine, who the Israelites were to drive out, and that statement is true. He then told them a lie. He told the Israelites that they belonged to Saul’s army, not God’s army. The lie was enveloped in the truth and the Israelites did not take every thought captive. In so doing, they believed the lie.

Our enemy does this to us as well. He will tell us truth. For example, you are a Christian. He then will tell the lie that we cannot be accepted by God because of sinful habits. The only way to get closer to God is by breaking those habits before we attempt to get closer. We believe the lie that is in the truth and are crushed in despair. The truth is you are a Christian (if you have accepted Him into your life). The truth is you sin (we all do). The truth is you have sinful habits. The lie comes when he tells you that you have to get better before God wants you to come to Him. We cannot get better outside of Him. It is He that we go to get better. This same scheme was used on Adam in the Garden and on Jesus in the Wilderness. One fell because he relied on his own word and the other overcame because He relied on God’s Word. We need to know the truth to be free. John 17 reminds us that God’s Word is Truth and John 14 informs us that Jesus is the Truth (the Word personified in John 1). Zechariah 3 presents this truth as Satan accuses Joshua, the High Priest, of not being acceptable to God. God then rebukes Satan with the truth. Are you accurately handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2.15)?

Goliath asks for a man to do battle with him. There is no answer, merely an interlude on what David is doing. If you recall, David was anointed as king in 1 Samuel 16. This chapter is historically out of place to confirm that David, not Saul, is the true king of Israel. After this chapter, the troops and the citizenry of Israel hail David as greater than Saul, which produces the fugitive motif of the remaining chapters. David is the hero, and Saul is the zero. The latter seeks to destroy the former.

David is obedient to his father which is a godly character trait based on the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). He does even the menial tasks his father asks him to do. He tends the sheep, plays for Saul, and takes lunches to three of his brothers. Where were the other four?

It is in this chapter we begin to see another character trait of David. He is full of passion that leads him to the heights of glory as he slays Goliath and the depths of corruption as he murders his best general because of his adultery. His passion for God’s glory is clear here. Each day for forty days Goliath taunts not just God’s army but God as well. David needs to do something about that. When God is being dishonored, do you step up and demand it stop, even preparing in your mind for battle? Have you already prepared your mind with words for such instances? You should. Peter commands us to be ready for times such as these (1 Peter 3.15).

A moment with Goliath. He is more than nine feet tall. His job is to battle other strongmen from other armies and to strike fear into the hearts of those who see him. He has four brothers (2 Samuel 21.18-21) which would explain the five stones and not one. He was ready to take out Goliaths’ entire family. He went ready.
We know the rest of the story. David asks permission to fight Goliath. He actually begs Saul for this privilege. He gives testimony of all God has done in and through him. David prepares to battle Goliath. Saul gives David his armor. David refuses because he does not know how to use them. He walks out with his sling and his stones. Goliath mocks not David because he is not a man and mocks God, again. David proclaims that his power is not in his sling nor in the stones. He states his power to defeat Goliath is in God; the God of Israel will defeat Goliath. This is where David did not believe the lie. He knew this was God’s army going in God’s strength, under God’s guidance, not Saul’s nor his. He killed Goliath. The Philistines did not surrender as promised. They ran away. David took the head of Goliath to Jerusalem. Legend has it that he buried it on a hill outside the city and this is where the name “Golgotha” or “Place of the Skull” came into being. This is also the place where Christ was crucified (Matthew 27.33).

A point of interest, in 2 Samuel 21.18-22 another Bethlehemite kills another Goliath of Gath. This could be one of the brothers of Goliath. The phrase states that David and his servants killed all them. I wonder if he carried the other four stones for such a time as that. After that moment, David sings a song of thanksgiving for God’s deliverance from them and other enemies (2 Samuel 22).

The Israelites chased the Philistines, killed them. David was brought before Saul. David submitted himself to Saul’s authority. This is another character trait of David that is evident in the remaining chapters of 1 Samuel.

David and Saul’s character are compared. One followed the truth, was obedient to the Word, was submissive to authority, the authority both of his father and of Saul, and was victorious. The other lived in fear of the lies he believed and was defeated. Who would you rather be like?

1 Samuel 16

From this point on the main character of 1 Samuel is David, mainly in his relationship with Saul. He is considered the greatest kings of the Israelites.

Have you ever thought of having children?  What God would say about them?  What does He say about you?
 
From this point on the main character of 1 Samuel is David, mainly in his relationship with Saul. He is considered the greatest kings of the Israelites. We see in chapter 15 that he is anointed by Samuel and begin his service before Saul as a musician. After his battle with Goliath and the Philistines in chapter 17, the remainder of the book shows his dealings with Saul as he lives his life as a fugitive from Saul.
 
David is anointed king in this chapter and enters into Saul’s court. God rejected Saul as king in chapter 15 due to his disobedience and non repentance. He then removes His Spirit from him in chapter 16. Saul’s court knew that God had rejected him and sent an evil spirit to torment him. When we are not walking by the power of God, those around us can tell something is amiss. When we refuse to repent and attempt to suppress the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, they know something is wrong. What do our words and actions show others about our lives?
 
God calls David as king, the rightful king, and gives to him His Spirit who indwells him from that day forward. David is from the tribe of Judah and of the town of Bethlehem. He is rightfully king by prophecy (Genesis 49.8-12) and king by character (1 Samuel 13.14 and 16.7). First Samuel 16.13 describes a man after God’s own heart. This is a man who allows God to live in and through him. First Samuel 16.18 displays how this manifested itself in David’s life.
 
  • I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite  (he was in line to be king; he had heritage)
  •  who is skillful in playing  (he used his gifts to bring others closer to God and people recognized it and were able to praise God because of it)
  •  a man of valor (he did not live in fear–see chapter 17–but trusted God to do what He promised much like Joshua believed what God said in Joshua 1 and Paul said in 2 Timothy 1.7)
  •  a warrior (he trained himself to become better at what was expected of him–see chapter 17)
  •  prudent in speech (he spoke wisely, without haste–James 1.19)
  •  and a man of good presence (he was respectable and respected)
  •  and the Lord is with him (this is the most important, God was with him because he joined God in His work. God wasn’t with David’s vision, but David was in alignment with God’s goal).
This chapter introduces David as king. The next chapter appears to be out of chronological order but is placed here to affirm David as king, as Saul’s replacement. More on that tomorrow.
 
How are people in your sphere of influence seeing God in you today? 

1 Samuel 15

The opening verses, as many in the Old Testament, can be misunderstood. Unless we look at the passage in terms of whom God is and what He has done, verse three seems to be overkill (literally).

The opening verses, as many in the Old Testament, can be misunderstood. Unless we look at the passage in terms of whom God is and what He has done, verse three seems to be overkill (literally). However, God is punishing them for their sins. The book of Romans reminds us that there are none who are innocent and all deserve death based on rebellion against God. This would include “child and infant.” God is also judging them, specifically, for not befriending the Israelites on their journey. The latter occurred because of the former. The key in these verses (1-3) is for Saul, as God’s anointed, to “utterly destroy” the Amalekites. When we do not obey God to the letter of what He commands, we will set up ourselves for future sorrow. We will see this later in the chapter with Agag and have already seen it through Joshua and Judges.

The command God gave to Saul was to destroy all living creatures from among the Amalekites. Saul musters more than 200,000 men to battle, which shows the entirety of Israel was under his kingship by this time. He allows the Kenites to leave. They were not under God’s judgment. He allows Agag, the king, and all the animals that were healthy to survive. These were under God’s judgment. He partially follows what God commanded. This always leads to trouble.

The next verse shows God’s displeasure with Saul. Not only does Saul disobey God but he erects a monument to himself (verse 12). He then greets Samuel as if nothing wrong had happened. Samuel calls out Saul for his disobedience. Saul blames it on the soldiers then on God. He then proclaims that he followed God’s commands to the letter.

Samuel lays down God’s judgment before Saul. Saul attempts to justify himself by his actions (works do not save us). He thinks his actions are better than what God had planned. This is the basis for all our sins. We believe our plan is better than the God of the universe’s plan. Samuel provides God’s heart. Verse 22 should be committed to memory. God rejects Saul. He informs him that his sin was as bad as seeking out a witch for advice. He does this later in the book.

Saul repents. Even in his “repentance” he is blaming the people for his sins. The kingdom is now given to the unnamed rightful first king of Israel, which we will see in the next chapter. Samuel had nothing to do with Saul after that night. Samuel grieved over what happened with Saul. We should have the same heart. When in disciplining people in our sphere of influence, we should never delight in the discipline but grieve over what has happened and be in prayer for restoration. In this case, there is no restoration. When it states that God was sorry that He made Saul king, it means He also grieved over the life and work of Saul. It does not mean that He made a mistake and wanted to do it all over again.

Samuel finished the work Saul did not complete. He killed Agag. Saul must not have killed all the people of the Amalekites. A few hundred years later, in Esther 3, a descendant of Agag is mentioned whose name is Haman.

Our lack of obedience to God will come back to us in the form of discipline. Hebrews 12 reminds us that as God’s children we should expect discipline when we go against His commands. His discipline is always for restoration to fellowship with Him and His people. The consequences of our disobedience today may not come upon us quickly but may manifest themselves later in life or in our children’s life. We need to be careful, therefore, in how we live that God’s blessing rather than discipline may be found in our life and in the future for our children and for those people in our sphere of influence.

1 Samuel 14

Have you ever been caught between a high rock and a thorny place? This is where we find Jonathan, the son of Saul, today. He is in a crag whose sides are named Bozez, “Height,” and Seneh, “Thorn.”

Have you ever been caught between a high rock and a thorny place? This is where we find Jonathan, the son of Saul, today. He is in a crag whose sides are named Bozez, “Height,” and Seneh, “Thorn.”
This map will show where he was and what happened in chapter 14.
The chapter starts out normal. Jonathan does not tell his father that he is leaving. He goes with his armor bearer toward the Philistine camp. The detailed description is given of where Saul was and where Jonathan was. Jonathan then shows theological insight. Verse six gives us his words to the armor bearer: “. . . nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” His armor bearer is obedient to Jonathan. The passage does not tell whether the armor bearer had the same faith or was being loyal to Jonathan (remember, he is a prince). As Christians, would we follow the faith of someone because we were loyal to him or her? Is it wise if we are not sure of that what they are saying is biblical? Should we search it out first?
Things get a little confusing. Jonathan places his fleece before the Lord and tells his armor bearer that if the Philistines call them to come to their camp then the Lord has given Jonathan and his armor bearer the victory; if not, stand back.
When they enter, they are told to come; the come, kill twenty. Confusion, an earthquake, and panic occur. The men under Saul see, take roll, then find out who was doing this. Then they join the battle and route the Philistines. Those who had refused to join the fighting now saw victory and ran to join the forces.
It is after this miraculous victory that Saul makes a vow, an oath, that is quite ridiculous. It goes beyond what God would ask and is beyond Saul’s control. It is like Jephthah’s vow in Judges 10-12. I wrote

The vow Jephthah made should remind us not to make rash vows. We need to take every thought captive to determine if it is alignment with God’s Word (2 Corinthians 10.4-5).

Saul’s oath is if anyone eats before the evening has come that person should be cursed. Read put to death. If you remember, Jonathan was not in the camp when Saul made the curse. He was caught between a hard high place and a thorny place. Since he did not hear the oath, he ate the honey. He was informed by other troops of what his father had said. He then turned and stated that his father was causing grief in the land and the victory would have been greater had he allowed the troops to do what was normal–eat of the spoils for physical and psychological strength. Twice the troops are described as faint (28 and 31). Due to Saul’s enlargement of God’s command by Saul, the troops ate meat with blood, which is against the ceremonial law. The troops were so hungry, and they could not wait for the food to be properly prepared. Saul saw this and built a barbecue pit to cook the meat for the troops.
Saul then desires to complete the task of defeating the Philistines. The priest tells him to ask God. We need people who remind us to slow down to ask God what His will is and what direction He is working so we might join Him instead of demanding that He join us (and we fail and get frustrated). God says not to pursue. Saul gets angry and seeks God’s will about why they should not go. It is found that Jonathan disobeyed Saul’s command, in ignorance. He was still responsible for obeying the command even though he did not know the command nor did he agree with the command. Do we hold this for ourselves too? We may not know of nor agree with a school’s policy, a traffic ordinance, a family rule, but we are still responsible for keeping it.
Jonathan admits he broke the command and is accepting of the death penalty. The troops stop Saul from killing Jonathan because Saul was in the wrong and Jonathan was in the right.
The chapter ends with Saul’s victories in battle and his family tree.

1 Samuel 13

Chapter 13 introduces Saul’s character and who he relies on for help in time of need. As you read through this chapter, ask yourself if you would have done the things Saul did. If your answer is that you would not have, explain why you believe you are above his sins. Many of us refer to 1 Corinthians 10.13 as a promise to us that we don’t have to fall and that God won’t place us in a situation where we would fall. However,

Chapter 13 introduces Saul’s character and who he relies on for help in time of need. As you read through this chapter, ask yourself if you would have done the things Saul did. If your answer is that you would not have, explain why you believe you are above his sins. Many of us refer to 1 Corinthians 10.13 as a promise to us that we don’t have to fall and that God won’t place us in a situation where we would fall. However, the context explains something else. First Corinthians 10.12 warns that if we are proud and do not think we would commit a particular sin because we are not vulnerable to it, it is there we will fall. Then, the promise of verse 13 is ineffective because we placed ourselves in that position, not God.

Verse one is not a complete text in the Hebrew and after studying the text and various translations there is no real solution for what the verse says. This is not problematic due to the nature of the verse. It contains no theology, merely a dating reference. The structure of the Hebrew suggests that the first number is how old Saul was when he began to reign. The second number mentions how many years he reigned up to an event. Looking at the verse this way, we can read the verse this way: Saul was x years old (we know he was not a young man because his son, Jonathan was of fighting age-verse 2) when he began to reign and he reigned two years over Israel when and an event took place, some view the event as the anointing of David as king in chapter 16. I view it as the stand against the Philistines in this chapter and the next two chapters. Acts 13.21 informs us that Saul reigned forty years. Some look at the number forty merely as a long period of time and not an actual number of years based on how they translated 1 Samuel 13.1. Again, it is not a matter of theology but a matter of chronology.

Up to this point, Saul may merely have been ruling over the Benjamites. This chapter now proclaims that all Israel is following him in war and accepting his leadership. The kingdom as not united before he became the king, it was united during his reign.

This chapter, as mentioned above, shows us the true character of Saul. Saul enjoys great popularity and military victories at the beginning of his career as seen in chapter 11 and later chapters.

The men are frightened because of the sheer number of Philistines with chariots, horses, and weaponry. They hide wherever they can, and tremble. This is where Saul’s fatal flaw of pride shines through. He is to wait for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices. He refuses to wait for him to offer the sacrifices and places on himself the responsibility of the priest. This is against Jewish law. He is not only a king from a non kingly line but appoints himself as a priest from a non priestly line. This Benjamite attempts to rule but is not from Judah and attempts to give sacrifice but is not from Levi. This is true arrogance. He places himself above the laws of God and make himself a law unto himself.

His impatience led him to do things he should not have done. His lack of trust in God’s Word and God’s man will lead to his destruction. He feared that God would not be able to keep the army together, that God would not bless them, that they would be defeated if he didn’t break the commands of God. How often do we do what we know to be wrong because of our impatience, pride, and lack of trust in God? This is humanity. This is Saul. We are this.

The moment he offers the sacrifice Samuel arrives. Saul makes an excuse for his sin and blames it on Samuel. Sounds like Adam and Eve. It is here that God rejects Saul and, in two chapters, will choose a man after His own heart to be king and replace the house of Saul.

The Israelites, who are under the oppression of the Philistines, muster themselves for war. But, they have no weapons due to this oppression. This small army is preparing itself for an ill-equipped war, outnumbered, and with a leader who was just rejected by God. And, we find out later, they won! It is not by our might, our deeds, our self that victory comes but, rather, by Him who indwells us (1 John 4.4 and 5.1-5).

This side note: Saul’s family was never intended to be the permanent kingly line for it was not of the tribe of Judah. God had answered the cries of the people for a king with what they thought would be a good king (tall and wealthy). God had planned for a king to come from Judah and to establish him on the throne, and that king will be David. In order to bring this about the line of Saul had to be cursed and rejected by a sin of Saul’s choosing. Although God had foreordained David’s kingship and Saul’s rejection, Saul willingly chose to sin against God and bring these consequences on his family.

1 Samuel 10-11

Today we come to the coronation and odd beginning for Saul. Before we begin these chapters, here are some observations. God chooses a tall man by this he was considered handsome. The Israelites proclaim that there is none like him. Are they judging him by his stature or by his character?

How did those in your sphere of influence perceive your faith yesterday?
Today we come to the coronation and odd beginning for Saul. Before we begin these chapters, here are some observations. God chooses a tall man by this he was considered handsome. The Israelites proclaim that there is none like him. Are they judging him by his stature or by his character? Since not many people knew who he was, it appears as though the judgment was based on the outer appearance and not the inward appearance shining (Matthew 5.13-16 and Galatians 5.22-23). He was a Benjamite from Gibeah. Reread the end of Judges to recall the character of the men of that town and what happened to the Benjamites. Saul makes this city his capital.
We see in Scripture that when God does a new thing, He provides His Spirit. Although the Holy Spirit is not mentioned in this chapter, we do see that God “gave him [Saul] another heart.” Ezekiel 11.19 shows us when the Holy Spirit comes, He will give us a new heart not of stone but of flesh. When God introduces salvation in the book of Acts, the Spirit goes before the Apostles to open the eyes of the Jews, Samaritans, god-fearers, and the Gentiles to the Gospel.
A Special Note on the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts
a. The outpourings indicated that these particular people were called by God into His service.
b. The Holy Spirit indicated God’s claim on these people.
c. The initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit came on those Jews who already believed in Jesus (Acts 2).
d. A later outpouring came on the Samaritans showing the Christians in Jerusalem that these people were also a part of God’s kingdom (Acts 8).
e. Later, the Holy Spirit would be poured out on the Gentile Cornelius and those who gathered with him (Acts 10).
f. Later, the Holy Spirit came on religious people who followed John the Baptist as a sign that what they believed was now complete in Christ (Acts 19).
g. After this, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is absent from biblical literature.
Back to 1 Samuel 10. We see this is what happened with Saul as confirmation to the people that God chose him, due to the disobedience of the people (1 Samuel 10.17-19, cf. Romans 1 and how God gives us over to our sins), and as confirmation to Saul that what Samuel spoke at the beginning of chapter 10 was from God. This confirmation is prophesied in verses 1-8, fulfilled in verses 9-16, and accepted in verses 17-26.
This chapter shows that he had great promise as a king. He was humble (or shy) and loyal to his father and his work.
The chapter ends ominously with a few people rejecting his kingship and a king gouging the eyes of all Jews east of the Jordan River (Joshua reminds us of the two-and-a-half tribes who settle there–Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh). However, 7,000 men escaped with both eyes and they went to Jabesh-Gilead. This king, Nashan, in chapter 11 pursues the men who surrender to him. He accepts only if he can gouge their eye out. Saul is called to help. He is plowing a field (what a kingly duty).
Verse six tells us that the Holy Spirit came upon him. We need to understand the theology behind this statement. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit did not permanently dwell in people. He came and went, this is why David would cry out in Psalm 51 for God not to take the Spirit away. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is the guarantor of our salvation and He seals it thus never to be taken away from us.
Saul promises victory, has it and is renewed as king over all Israel with no murmurers.
Saul did great things in these chapters because of the presence of God in his life. What are we doing today that is great because of that same God who indwells us? How do people know we have been saved? What evidence is there in our lives that God lives in us? What works are we doing that manifest Him (Ephesians 2.8-10)? How is our light shining in this darkened world so that they can see God in us?