Unit 10 / Session 1 Saul, The People’s King

Introduction:

*Go over the 7 Arrows handout. Maybe ask some questions.

Big Picture Question — Why does sin separate us from God? Because God is holy, sin has broken our relationship with God.

Isaiah 6:5 KJV 1900

5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

What fads did you experience growing up? (heelies)

Fads come and go. Our desires change. What we think is relevant, stylish, or cool is ever-evolving. We are never satisfied.

We see this with the Israelites in our lesson today. They were delivered from Egypt by a God who then made a covenant with them. Yet, Israel quickly became dissatisfied with God.

If they weren’t turning to the gods of the surrounding nations, they still wanted to be like the nations. In doing so, they not only rejected the Lord as their Savior but also as their rightful King.

God is the one true King, and He alone is able to lead His people as they need.

An Earthly King is Demanded By the People (1 Sam. 8:4-9)

1 Samuel 8:1–9 (KJV 1900)

1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba. 3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. 4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. 7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

Was the request for a king a wrong request? (vs. 3) What does it reveal about the Israelites?

The people’s demand for a king was foreseen by the Lord, but it also revealed the concern of their hearts — they wanted to be like the nations.

What are some of the lures of the world that attract and tempt God’s people? (fame and popularity; wealth and riches; a comfortable life; lust and illicit sex; the abundant pleasures of food and drink; living for self)

Israel wants a king like the other nations have. The reason the Israelites give betrays their apostasy, an abandonment of their missional calling… They wanted to be like the other nations — precisely what God had called Israel not to be.

A desire to be like or emulate the nations was contrary to God’s design for His people, who were to be a blessing to the nations through being set apart from them and their wickedness. (Exodus 19:5-6)

Exodus 19:5–6 KJV 1900

5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

In desiring to be like the nations, the people of Israel had once again rejected God’s servant (Samuel) and, more importantly, God Himself as their rightful King.

Why should we view all sin as an implicit rejection of God as our rightful King?

Samuel warned Israel about what they would get by demanding a king, but this did not dissuade them. So the Lord worked through Samuel to anoint an impressive king for the people, the kind of king the people wanted.

If you were creating the perfect king or leader, what would you want?

An Impressive King is Anointed for the People (1 Sam. 9:1-2; 10:1-10)

1 Samuel 9:1–2 (KJV 1900)

1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. 2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

1 Samuel 10:1–10 (KJV 1900)

1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? 2 When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? 3 Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Beth-el, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: 4 And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands. 5 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: 6 And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. 7 And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. 8 And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do. 9 And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. 10 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.

Do you notice what the Bible points out about Saul first? (physical attributes)

We need to be careful as believers who we put into leadership, whether church, government, etc. We can quickly elevate the wrong type of person because of superficial attributes.

We’ll see later that the hasty decision to anoint and install a king does not end favorably for Israel. The haste through which Saul was elevated amplified his lacking character.

Here’s a question for you that I’ve been thinking about: What is the difference between being a good person and a godly person? How can you tell the difference?

Saul was a physically impressive man, but his qualifying credentials came from the Lord, who anointed Saul and changed his heart.

Saul could not lead Israel well because of his stature and physical appearance. He had to rely on the Lord to enable him with God’s Spirit.

How does Saul’s anointing as king compare to a believer’s qualifications for service?

A Reluctant King is Presented to the People (1 Sam. 10:17-24)

1 Samuel 10:17–23 (KJV 1900)

17 And Samuel called the people together unto the Lord to Mizpeh; 18 And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you: 19 And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes, and by your thousands. 20 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken. 21 When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found. 22 Therefore they inquired of the Lord further, if the man should yet come thither. And the Lord answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff. 23 And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.

Have you ever asked for something and what you ended up getting was not quite like what you were hoping it would be (buyer’s remorse)?

Israel sinned and rebelled against God by demanding a king, and God’s discipline here was to give them exactly what they wanted — an impressive, earthly king. But they also got a king who was fearful and who eventually would rebel against the Lord.

Romans 1 — God gave them up…

How can we protect ourselves from asking for something against God’s will?

1 Samuel 10:24 (KJV 1900)

24 And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.

As a people, we tend to create “kings” who solve all our problems. Maybe it’s a spouse, a government leader, or a pastor. These things cannot give you what only God can. Saul was a poor replacement for God. And yet, the Scriptures reveal that there was none like him among all the people.

Israel looked to Saul for deliverance. Maybe this strong king/leader will save us from all of our enemies. Israel looked to Saul for provision, protection, wisdom, etc.

God chose Saul. The installation of a king was part of God’s plan for Israel. All the way back in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, God promised to Abraham, Sarah, and Jacob that kings would be a part of Israel’s future.

Saul as king was the first step in God’s fulfillment of these promises and expectations. Their culmination is found in the incarnation of the Son of God (Jesus). Jesus would save His people. He would do perfectly what the kings of Israel only did in part.

The Israelites hoped for a long, prosperous life for King Saul; but with King Jesus, who died and rose again, there is no end to the blessing of His righteous reign!

Application

Here’s my one thought of application: We make daily choices as to whom we will allow to sit on the throne of our hearts.

Is there anything that reveals Jesus is not practically ruling in your life?

What is stopping you from submitting to the rule and reign of King Jesus?

Who or what do you promote to the throne of your life?