Samuel Leading Through the Rise of Saul

1 Samuel 7-11

Outline

Samuel: The Early Years – 1 Sam 1-3

-----------------20-year gap-----------------

Samuel leads Israel in repentance – 1 Sam 7:1-6

Samuel defeats the Philistines – 1 Sam 7:7-17

Samuel asked for a King – 1 Sam 8:1-9

Samuel anoints Saul – 1 Sam 9:14-10:8

Samuel crowns Saul – 1 Sam 10:9-25

Samuel confirms Saul’s kingship – 1 Sam 11:12-14

Samuel and the downfall of Saul and rise of David – 1 Sam 12-16, 28

Background

Philistines defeat Israel and capture the Ark. 1 Sam 4

Death of Eli

The Ark taken to Ashdon, Gath, and Ekron (Dagon the Idol) 1 Sam 5

The Ark returned to Israel on a cart drawn by two cows 1 Sam 6

The Ark stays with Eleazar for twenty years.

Key Moments

1 Samuel 7:2–11 NIV

2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all. Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord. 3 So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only. 5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah. 7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him. 10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.

Samuel leads the people in repentance 1 Sam 7:2-6

1 Samuel 7:2–6 NIV

2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all. Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord. 3 So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only. 5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah.

The Philistines come against Israel 1 Sam 7: 7-9

1 Samuel 7:7–9 NIV

7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him.

The Philistines Come v7

The people are afraid and ask Samuel to intercede v8

The Lord answered v9

Eli’s sons tried to bring victory by bringing the Ark against the Philistines. Samuel brought victory by bringing Israel back to God.

The Philistines are defeated 1 Sam 7:10-11

1 Samuel 7:10–11 NIV

10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.

Takeaways

The enemy will often attack when we turn to God. He doesn’t want us to trust Jesus.

God will fight for us. He is with us and He is faithful.