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by Sandy Shaw
In I Samuel Chapter 11 , trouble arose. Saul has continued working on the farm and in the fields. It is as if the significance of what has happened has not as yet dawned upon him.
Verse 6 - the Spirit of the Lord came upon him - now this happened in these days. Today the Holy Spirit is not only upon us but within us – but when He comes upon us something dramatic can happen.
Come people, you must follow Samuel and Saul - the demands were now being made - to the tune of 330,000 men.
Saul achieved an amazing victory. The people wanted to kill those who had criticised and complained - but Saul would not allow it. They went to the place of worship at Gilgal, and Saul was confirmed king. Read the passage.
We come to I Samuel Chapter 12 , where we have Samuel's farewell speech – note its honesty - integrity - and emotion.
In verse 19 , the people realised what they had done - they had sinned again.
Verse 22 - is a verse that stands and stands so relevant - for Israel, and for us in Christ Jesus. Saul was 30 years old when he became king!
Note the name of these leaders - Abraham - Isaac - Jacob - Joseph - Moses - Joshua - the Judges - Samuel - Saul - David – and then 1,000 years later, Jesus.
Jesus is our King. When you have no king - it is easy to lose your direction – to lose your protection - lose your convictions – and to lose your identity.
I Samuel Chapter 11 – Saul the first king of Israel has rescued the people of Israel from the Ammonites. Saul is confirmed as king at Gilgal, and there are celebrations.
Chapter 13 - Saul was 30 years old when he became king, and he reigned for 42years. Saul soon got into a predicament. In Chapter 13 there is a very real threat from the Philistines - as thousands of Philistines confronted Israel - and the Israeli soldiers became afraid and began to scatter.
Verse 8 - Saul was waiting for Samuel - but Samuel has not as yet appeared on this occasion – so Saul decided to do the work of a priest - then Samuel appeared.
Fear leads Saul to be disobedient to Samuel's command. Here is fear of failure.
Verse 11 - when I saw what was happening - and when I saw the men scattering - and when I did not see you - I thought - I better offer sacrifices to God. "Samuel - I panicked."
Saul was tested and acted by sight. Samuel does not explain why he waited - why he was delayed. God does not explain things either at times when we ask.
Samuel rebuked King Saul - all you had to do was obey - but you have blown it!
Was Saul too self-sufficient - too confident in self?
The Lord will seek out another man and appoint him as leader.
In verse 16 - we next read of Saul and his son Jonathan. But another crisis arose - there were no blacksmiths, and the Israelis had to go to the Philistines to have their tools sharpened.
“Gracious God – loving heavenly Father – we thank You for men of wisdom and courage who have to rebuke Government – even the King – when necessary. Lord God, help us in Jesus Name – wherever we serve – whatever we see and hear. When we have to speak out, give us the words and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the authority of the Holy Spirit – and enable us to know when to speak – what to say and how to say it – like Jesus, in whose Name we pray. Amen.”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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