Seeing What No One Else Sees

 

I Samuel 17:24 All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. 25 And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel.” 26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 And the people answered him in the same way, “So shall it be done to the man who kills him.”

This account is one of the best-known events in the Old Testament.  Everyone loves to see the underdog win, for courage to pay-off, and some big, arrogant jerk get what's coming to him.  It is so easy for us to miss what is most important here: David saw what everyone else missed: this guy was mocking God, and no one was willing to care enough to do anything about it.  Goliath and the Philistines were denying Truth, and no one stood up for Him. If that is the case, what hope do we have? Are we willing to stand up for Him?

Was It Really That Bad?

 

22 And Samuel said,
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
    as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”
24 Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. 25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord.” 26 And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” 

Yesterday we began to see inconsistencies in Saul's life and leadership. Today we see how he completely crossed the line. God told him to go and completely destroy the Amalekites, who had been a total affront to Him and constant problem to His people. Saul partially obeyed, and when confronted passed the buck to the people. When confronted by Samuel, he said: "Is it really that big of a deal?"  Saul shrugged it off with a half-felt "I'm sorry. Forgive me and let's move on.  But what Saul had done really was that bad. He had rejected God, His will, and His word, and increasingly felt like a law unto himself. That doesn't work

Rash Decisions...

 I Samuel 14:24 And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people had tasted food. 25 Now when all the people came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground. 26 And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright.

After some initial victories, some of Saul's character flaws began to show. One was his tendency to make rash decisions, like this oath that no one should eat until the victory was won.  The men were already tired and hungry, and this just aggravated it.  Such decisions, rather than being a rallying cry to follow, become a means of abuse of power and false pride.  Even his own son Jonathan saw and spoke of its folly. Those closest to us can see our flaws best and need to lovingly help us see them. Sadly, we will see this tendency again in Saul's life and leadership.  What do we need to see about ourselves. May it not become a habit. 

The Mumbling Minority

I Samuel 10:24 And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” 25 Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. 26 Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

In this chapter the presentation of Saul as first king was formalized. He was anointed, selected by lot, and proclaimed before the people as their king.  They got what they had asked for - a young strong king who stood tall above all others. It was spelled out clearly how the people were to interact with the king. Then they all went home, mostly happy that this had finally happened. But... there are always some who find something to complain about.  It wasn't just because they did not like Saul; they really did not like God. When they asked: "How can this man save us?" they were really missing the point. No king can. It is God Who saves. By showing a lack of support for Saul, they were indicating a lack of trust in God, Who had inaugurated him. Are you a mumbler? Are you always finding some fault?

Too Much to Take In...

I Samuel 9:22 Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about thirty persons. 23 And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Put it aside.’” 24 So the cook took up the leg and what was on it and set them before Saul. And Samuel said, “See, what was kept is set before you. Eat, because it was kept for you until the hour appointed, that you might eat with the guests.” So Saul ate with Samuel that day. 25 And when they came down from the high place into the city, a bed was spread for Saul on the roof, and he lay down to sleep. 26 Then at the break of dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Up, that I may send you on your way.” So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street.

Samuel had grown up and become the man of God people listened to and to whom God spoke. They had requested a king to protect them from the Philistine kings and God had come with an answer. What began as a wild donkey chase ends up at a banquet where Saul is seated as the guest of honor with a special portion of food set aside for him and given a cool place to rest for the night.  Overwhelmed is too mild of a word to describe Saul's reaction. He realizes he has been chosen as prince, to become king of Israel. In what ways has God overwhelmed you by choosing you? 

What a Contrast!

 

I Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. 25 If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death. 26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.

Eli was very old; Samuel was young and grown. Eli's sons were carrying on the spirit of the time of the judges with their immorality and lack of concern for God's will.  The Lord was doing something in Israel, and it demanded men with a heart for God.  One cannot help but notice in the last verse above a description used of Christ Himself - the ultimate Man God has used for His plan and purpose.  May He do a thing in our lives and churches which is out with the old and in with the new. 

He Is Yours, Lord.

 

I Samuel 1:24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”

The book of I Samuel comes like a breath of fresh air after all the immorality, self-centeredness and violence of Judges. One feels like he has been walking through mud for a few hundred years, but now is standing in the warmth and dry of the morning sun. Here who is finally someone who gets it, who is not out to get everything she can for herself, but to be a part of God's plan. She fully trusts in God and wants Him to be glorified. May we be such a contribution to our families, our people, our world. May we be a breath of fresh air in a dark and dirty world.