The Rise & Fall of the Golden Age of Israel

Samuel Given to the service of the Lord as a young boy as an expression of gratitude to God by his mother 1 Sam 3:10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Samuel The last of Israel’s Judges – and the best – and the first of Israel’s prophets. 1 Sam 12:23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.

1 Samuel “We want a KING!!” 1 Sam 12:13-15 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the L ORD has set a king over you. 14 If you fear the L ORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the L ORD your God—good! 15 But if you do not obey the L ORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors

Saul – Israel’s First King Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else. 1 Sam 9:2

Don’t Judge By Appearances But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7

King Saul – Big Man but Bad Heart 27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, “The L ORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. And the L ORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel. 13 Saul died because he was unfaithful to the L ORD ; he did not keep the word of the L ORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14 and did not inquire of the L ORD. So the L ORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. 2 Chron 10:13-14

Enter David Shepherd boy Giant Slayer (Goliath) Saul: “Big problem, small God” David: “Big God, small problem!” Saul’s Right Hand Man Fugitive – Saul’s Most Wanted Israel’s Second and Greatest Greatest King

God’s Covenant with David “‘The L ORD declares to you that the L ORD himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’” 2 Sam 7:11-16 therefore “Son of David” in Gospels

David was so Close to God… 2 Sam 7:3 Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you.” You would never say that to Saul!! You would only get presumption and folly

David - The Psalmist 73 of 150 Psalms are accredited to him Psalm 22 Psalm 23 Psalm 51

What a Difference a King Makes Prov 20:28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. Prov 29:4 By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down. With godly leadership everbody benefits

BUT – then….sin Bathsheba >> adultery >> cover up >> murder

David – still a man after God’s Own Heart? Acts 13:22 Saul 1 Sam Saul said, “The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.” 14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? 15 Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them, they spared the best of the sheep and cattle 19 Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?” 20 “But I did obey the LORD,” Saul said. David 2 Sam 12 7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! David’s first words: 13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”

Sin’s Consequences… Family Divided The Lord quickly assured David that the guilt of his sin was forgiven or covered, but the consequences of his actions were unavoidable. Same for us, e.g. drunk driving

David’s Successor - Solomon Built the Temple which his father David had planned for. At the Temple’s Dedication Service, Solomon saw God’s glory!! Prayed for wisdom and God gave him great wealth as well!!

God’s Promise to Solomon 1 Sam 9 3 The LORD said to him: “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. 4 “As for you, if you walk before me faithfully with integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, 5 I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’ 6 “But if you or your descendants turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 7 then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. 8 This temple will become a heap of rubble

The Wisdom of Solomon Author of three books of poetry / wisdom: Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon

BUT – then….sin King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2 They were from nations about which the L ORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. 4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the L ORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5 He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the L ORD ; he did not follow the L ORD completely, as David his father had done. 1 Kings 11: 1 - 6

Sin’s Consequences Kingdom Divided 1 Kings 12 Solomon’s son Rehoboam takes the throne… Threatens to increase taxes.. Ten tribes rebel and set up Jeroboam as their king, who sets up Baal worship in order to cut off ties from Jerusalem

Sin’s Consequences Number 32:23 But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out Galatians 6:7-8 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Ahh, the Good Old Days Israel is still waiting for the return of the good old days. Sometimes, we do too!! Regret, reminiscing, disappointment, disillusionment couldv’e should’ve Who Moved The Cheese? Does it have to be this way? NO!! Consider Caleb!!

How’s Your Heart - Today? Ps 119:9-11 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

What if you’ve “blown it”? Trust and use 1 John 1:9 Believe Prov 28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy Practice 1 Sam 3:10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

My Eyes Are Dry My eyes are dry My faith is old My heart is hard My prayers are cold And I know how I ought to be Alive to you and dead to me But what can be done For an old heart like mine Soften it up With oil and wine The oil is you, your spirit of love Please wash me anew With the wine of your blood