Who Me?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
For the past couple of weeks we have seen that Israel wants a king. They want to be like all of the other nations.
God designed them to be a Theocracy—or a God ruled nation—but they rejected God’s leadership. So He is going to give them a king.
The problem is that the man God has chosen to be king, doesn’t believe he is worthy of being a king. He didn’t believe he had what it takes to be a king, and really didn’t believe he should have ever been considered to the one to lead Israel.
Have you ever felt like you were not the one God should choose for a particular job? I have.
If you have ever felt like God should NOT have picked you for a job, then this message, and maybe even the next couple of messages are for you!
If you have NOT ever felt that way, these messages are for you, because I can guarantee that there will come a time when you feel that way.
So, if you have your Bibles I want to encourage you to turn with me to 1 Samuel 9, and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.
There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others.
Introducing Saul
Introducing Saul
We are introduced to a man by the name of Saul.
He’s from the tribe of Benjamin.
He’s the son of Kish.
He is taller than the average Israelite man.
Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.” So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them.
Chasing Donkeys
Chasing Donkeys
Saul’s father, Kish, send Saul and a servant to find some missing donkeys.
The went all over the place looking for them, but the didn’t find the donkeys.
Now Saul is ready to give up!
Now Saul is ready to give up!
When they reached the district of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, “Come, let’s go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”
But his servant has another suggestion.
But his servant has another suggestion.
But the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.”
The problem
The problem
Saul said to his servant, “If we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”
The Servant’s Solution
The Servant’s Solution
The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have a quarter of a shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take.”
Then we have a point of clarification. We have an explanation of the term “Seer.”
(Formerly in Israel, if a man went to inquire of God, he would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.)
Let’s Go!
Let’s Go!
“Good,” Saul said to his servant. “Come, let’s go.” So they set out for the town where the man of God was. As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some girls coming out to draw water, and they asked them, “Is the seer here?” “He is,” they answered. “He’s ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place. As soon as you enter the town, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not begin eating until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat. Go up now; you should find him about this time.” They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place.
Meeting Samuel
Meeting Samuel
Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me.” When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”
The Lord had already revealed to Samuel that he would meet the man that was going to be king
A man from the tribe of Benjamin
Samuel was to anoint him king.
Saul would deliver God’s people from the Philistines.
God is responding to the people’s cry.
When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”
Looking for the Seer
Looking for the Seer
Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”
Where’s the Seer’s House?
Where’s the Seer’s House?
“I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and all your father’s family?”
I am the Seer.
Go ahead of me to the high place.
You are going to eat with me today!
In the morning, I’ll tell you everything you want to know.
Oh yeah, about the donkeys—they have been found!
KEY—“And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and all your father’s family.”
NLT—“And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.”
Who Me?
Who Me?
Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”
Not me—I’m a Benjamite.
Not me—I’m from the smallest tribe in Israel!
Not me—My clan is the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin!
Not me—Why would you say such a thing to me?
But Samuel makes no response to Saul, but look at what he does do!
Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited—about thirty in number.
Samuel just brings Saul (and his servant) into the hall.
And he seats Saul and his servant at the head of the table.
And there they sit, with about 30 other guests looking at them.
Two Special Orders
Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside.” So the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, “Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion, from the time I said, ‘I have invited guests.’ ” And Saul dined with Samuel that day.
Samuel told the cook to bring the “special piece of meat.” The one he told the cook to lay aside.
So the cook brought the special piece of meat to Saul.
Samuel tells Saul—this special piece of meat was set aside before Samuel invited the guests. And it was set aside for Saul!
So Eat Saul, eat!
After they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of his house.
They Talk All Night!
They Talk All Night!
They rose about daybreak and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get ready, and I will send you on your way.” When Saul got ready, he and Samuel went outside together.
Time to Go!
Time to Go!
As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us”—and the servant did so—“but you stay here awhile, so that I may give you a message from God.”
When they come to the edge of town Samuel has something to say to Saul.
Send your servant on ahead.
Saul, you need to stay, because I have a special message for you, from God!
Samuel Anoints Saul King of Israel
Samuel Anoints Saul King of Israel
Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the Lord anointed you leader over his inheritance?
Saul Is Anointed by Samuel
Saul Is Anointed by Samuel
Proof of the Anointing
Proof of the Anointing
When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you set out to look for have been found. And now your father has stopped thinking about them and is worried about you. He is asking, “What shall I do about my son?” ’
Two men will meet you near Rachel’s tomb, and tell you the donkeys have been found.
And they’ll tell you your dad is worried about you!
“Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them.
When you reach the great tree of Tabor—Three men will meet you.
One of the men will be carrying three young goats.
One of the men will be carrying three loaves of bread.
And the third will be carrying a skin of wine.
The will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread.
Accept them.
“After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you. “Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.”
When you come to Gibeah of God:
You will meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship.
They will be playing instruments and they will be prophesying!
At that time! The Spirit of Yahweh will come powerfully upon you!
And you will prophesy with them.
You will change into a different person!
Next—After all these signs take place, do what you need to do for God is with you.
Then go down to Gilgal.
Samuel will come meet Saul at Gilgal to sacrifice two offerings:
A Burnt Offering—Atonement
Peace offering—to have Fellowship with God!
Saul must wait for 7 days for Samuel to arrive and give him further instructions.
SO WHAT
SO WHAT
If you’re like me, sometimes I read these stories and I think, God doesn’t work that way today. The thing is, God wants to work that way!
We need to read the final verse in our passage today, which is verse 9.
Don’t miss verse 9.
As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day.
As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God. . .!
God changed Saul’s heart.
And all of the signs were fulfilled.
Today, God may be speaking to you! You see I believe God has has a job for you! Oh, your job may not be becoming a king, but it is an important job non-the-less!
This morning God wants to change your hear. He wants to draw you heart to himself. God wants to focus your life on His things!
This focus—our focusing on all that Jesus, our Savior did for us! That is why we celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
Jesus told us to remember. We are to remember His body which was broken for us.
We are to remember His blood that was shed for us.
And are to remember that the grave they laid Jesus in is empty today!
I’m going to ask our deacons and some of the men of the church to come and uncover the table.
[LORD’S SUPPER]