1 Samuel 10; Who Is King?

Introduction

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As Christians, we all know that God is in control of all things, and at the same time, God holds us responsible for our actions. These two truths and how they are compatible can raise questions in our minds, such as: If God is in control, why does it matter what I do? If God is in control of everything, why do I even have to pray? In our text this morning, we will see how God orchestrates his plan, even down to the smallest details, and is in complete control of each aspect. At the same time, humans are responsible for following God’s commands.

Need:

Topic:

Sovereignty and the human will

Referent:

1 Samuel 10

Organization:

God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Responsibility

Sermon in a sentence

God’s sovereignty is why I am responsible.

God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Responsibility

v. 1 - “oil and poured it on his head”

Aaron and his sons were anointed with oil on their heads to serve as the priests of God.

ANE kings did not do this. Pharaoh's servants were anointed as a sign of their service to the Pharaoh.

Saul’s anointing was a sign of God’s sovereign election of him as king.

The anointing was also a sign of Saul’s responsibility to serve the Lord and lead God’s people.

v. 1 “ to be prince over his people Israel. And you shall reign over the people of the LORD.… anointed you to be prince over his heritage.”

Notice that Saul is not called the king but prince twice.

1 Samuel 9:16-17

1 & 2 Samuel: Hope for the Helpless Resolving Saul’s Quests (1 Samuel 9:18–10:1)

In obedience to that word, Samuel anoints Saul, announcing him as ‘leader over his inheritance’ (10:1). ‘Inheritance’ probably has primary reference to the people of Israel (cf.

The pastors and leaders of the church are no different. We are called to be “undershepherds” of Christ. With the rise of the celebrity pastor we have seen a shift away from this model. Or we have all seen the pastor that is trying to build his kingdom instead of God’s.

Notice it is the people that mention a king.

1 Samuel 10:19 “19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands.””

1 Samuel 10:24 “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!””

v. 2 - the donkeys are found

The donkeys led Saul to Samuel. Who lead the donkeys?

Saul’s father counted Saul as responsible for finding the donkeys. He went looking but who was with them the entire time?

v. 4 “they will greet you and give you tow loaves of bread”

These men were prepared to give an offering based upon what they were carrying.

animal(s), flour/bread, and wine

1 Samuel 1:24 “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.”

Saul didn’t have any bread or money as an offering for the “seer”.

God provided Saul with what he didn’t have.

I was talking to someone this past week. They were telling me how they have been stressed about expenses and making ends meet. BUT God kept providing for them through random gifts and money from all sorts of sources. Dear Christian, God calls us to obedience and faithfulness. This does not excuse laziness or poor planing. But aren’t you glad God shows us mercy and grace.

vs. 6-7 “Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you… do what your hand finds to do

God sends his spirit upon Saul to prophecy - something he could not do own his own. But then he is told to do “what your hand finds to do”.

Philippians 2:12–13 ESV

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

vs. 18-24 God delivered, Israel rejected, Saul hid himself

God delivers and leads his people.

His people want a different leader.

The new leader hides in fear.

The people praise their new leader. “Long live the king.”

Conclusion

“Just as the rails of a train (track), which run parallel to each other, appear to merge in the distance, so the doctrines of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility, which seem separate from each other in this life will merge in eternity. Our task is not to force their merging in this life but to keep them in balance and to live accordingly.” -Joel Beeke

Application