1 Samuel 13:1-15; High Hopes

Introduction

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Building new habits that are uncomfortable is a very long process. An article I read said, “A hallmark 2009 study on habit creation found that habits developed in a range of 18 to 254 days; participants reported taking an average of about 66 days to reliably incorporate one of three new daily activities—eating a piece of fruit with lunch, drinking a bottle of water with lunch or running for 15 minutes before dinner. 

I don’t know about you, but it doesn’t take that long for me to fall into a bad habit. As we look at our text this morning, we will see

Need:

our need for immediate obedience.

Topic:

Creating a lifestyle of obedience.

Referent:

1 Samuel 13:1-15

Organization:

Slow Start (vs. 1-4)

Quick Fall (vs. 5-15)

Application

Sermon in a sentence

I will not wait to be obedient.

Slow Start (vs.1-4)

Verse 1 is an awkward start.

Textual Criticism is not like the telephone game.

I believe the text is contextually describing the time between Saul’s anointing, Nahash, the public ceremony.

But with divine ambiguity, this is a slow start and potential foreshadow.

Jonathan is the one that defeats the Philistines, something Saul should have done in

1 Samuel 10:7 “7 Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you.”

Notice that it is the people say Saul defeated the Philistines but this isn’t true.

Quick Fall (vs. 5-15)

The Philistines respond quickly with an overwhelming force.

Some hide, cower, or even cross over the Jordan.

Saul has waited at least a year but 7 days was too long.

Samuel asks Saul what have you done? Just like God asked Eve and Cain.

Conclusion

Application