King Saul – Part 1 1

Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. - I Cor. 10:11

King Saul 1 st King of Israel Teaches Us What Not To Do

Saul: Background Jews were attacked by tribes they failed to eradicate Philistines a major enemy Theocracy = God is King

Saul: Background Judges = Saviors Jews Lose “Ark” to the Philistines Samuel anoints his own sons People demand a king God permits Samuel to anoint Saul as King

Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people. - I Sam. 9:1-2

Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. So Kish said to his son Saul, “Take now with you one of the servants, and arise, go search for the donkeys.” He passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. - I Sam. 9:3-4

When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, and let us return, or else my father will cease to be concerned about the donkeys and will become anxious for us.” - I Sam. 9:5

Saul’s Early Years Tall and Handsome Weak in the knowledge of the Word Manipulative Prophecies concerning him fulfilled Saul is Reluctant

When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, “Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! This one shall rule over My people.” Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.” - I Sam. 9:17-18

Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is on your mind. - I Sam. 9:19

As for your donkeys which were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father’s household?” - I Sam. 9:20

Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in this way?” - I Sam. 9:21

And you shall go down before me to Gilgal; and behold, I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice peace offerings. You shall wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you should do.” - I Sam. 10:8

Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul the son of Kish was taken; but when they looked for him, he could not be found. Therefore they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?” So the Lord said, “Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage.” - I Sam. 10:21-22

So they ran and took him from there, and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? Surely there is no one like him among all the people.” So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!” - I Sam. 10:23-24

“On the Edge of Greatness”

Now Nahash the Ammonite came up and besieged Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us and we will serve you.” But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “I will make it with you on this condition, that I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you, thus I will make it a reproach on all Israel.” - I Sam. 11:1-2

The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Let us alone for seven days, that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to deliver us, we will come out to you.” Then the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and spoke these words in the hearing of the people, and all the people lifted up their voices and wept. - I Sam. 11:3-4

Now behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen, and he said, “What is the matter with the people that they weep?” So they related to him the words of the men of Jabesh. Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words, and [c]he became very angry. - I Sam. 11:5-6

He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.” Then the dread of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out as one man. He numbered them in Bezek; and the sons of Israel were 300,000, and the men of Judah 30, I Sam. 11:7-8

They said to the messengers who had come, “Thus you shall say to the men of Jabesh-gilead, ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will have deliverance.’” So the messengers went and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad. Then the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.” - I Sam. 11:9-10

The next morning Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp at the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together. Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is he that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” - I Sam. 11:11-12

But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has accomplished deliverance in Israel.” Then Samuel said to the people, “Come and let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.” - I Sam. 11:13-14

Saul’s Finest Hour Saul showed promise early on Rises to the challenge of Philistines Gives glory to God and mercy to his detractors This is the high point of his rule

Lessons From Saul The world usually rejects God’s Choices #1

Lessons From Saul Be careful of what you ask for #2

Lessons From Saul Wait for God’s anointing #3