Old Testament: 1 Samuel 13 & 14
Poetry: Psalm 67
New Testament: 2 Corinthians 11
Saul fails as a King.
Sorry for the lack of “spoiler warnings”. He doesn’t make it.
What’s more sad and more of a shocker, is that he *could* have succeeded at being king. At building a dynasty for himself and his children. The language of 1 Samuel 13:13-14 is pretty clear.
“You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” (ESV)
The foolish action of Saul was… sacrifice. Worship. How can that be wrong? Because it was not in accord with the commands of God. Saul was not supposed to do the sacrifice; he was supposed to wait for Samuel. Saul’s impatience and his presumptuous attitude caused him to fall into sin, because he did not obey the word of the Lord. He was keeping the “outward” signs of the law (the sacrifice) but not the details (who, how, when). He wanted the armies to see the sacrifice, rather than keeping it the way God wanted. This impatience and presumption becomes worse later in the story (chapter 15).
Saul is told that another is rising up in his kingdom. A man after God’s own heart, who would obey the word of the Lord. That is who will replace Saul.
But notice the end of verse 13 : “For then (if you had kept his commands), the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.” I don’t think Samuel is stating his own personal opinion here nor do I think he is speaking falsely. God was willing to allow Saul to have a kingdom dynasty. He would have allowed him and his children to sit upon the throne… if Saul had obeyed.
Far too often, we think all things are set in stone, that our days are done, that the story of our life is written. Before all time, before all actions, either God has claimed us or rejected us.
In glorious praise and holy fear, that is not true.
God would like to allow you to reign with Christ in God’s Kingdom. However, you have choices to make. Will you obey? Will you heed the word of the Lord?
If you do, then all your sins can be forgiven. God will forgive, God will restore, God will empower.
But, if you do not obey… “he would have established your kingdom”? More “he would have established you in his kingdom.”
You have choices to make. Rather a choice: will you obey the Word of the Lord.
-Jake Ballard
Reflection Questions
- The Law We Obey: 1 John 3:23 tells us the commandment that we are called to obey now. What is new about this commandment? What is ancient about this commandment? How can you live out the commandment today?
- The Perseverance We Have: In John 10:29, we are promised protection by the Father and that we, as sheep, are not going to be stolen away. How does this promise of protection relate to the story of Saul and the removal of his Kingdom? How does it relate to the choices we are called to make and the salvation we are called to have?
- Once Saved, Always Saved?: While some people find comfort in phrases like “there is nothing you did to earn your salvation, so there is nothing you could do to lose it,” is that phrase true? Can people who have “seen the light” reject the salvation of God? (Check out Hebrews 6:4-6.) It seems obedient relationship with Christ through the power of the spirit is necessary for salvation! (1 John 5:2) Have you asked God to give you his spirit, so that you can obey the commands of Jesus?
Seek Grow Love 