The Making of a Monarch: Samuel, Saul, and the Rise of David 3

Recap:

Israel has opted for a king instead of God to rule over them -

(1 Sam 10:17-21) Samuel calls everyone together at Mizpah and gives a real encouraging pep talk: Tells them about all the things the king would take from them - but they want a king - 1 Samuel 10:18–19 Samuel gathers the heads of the tribes and families together and the rest all gather in to find out who the king is going to be

Now Samuel already knows and has privately anointed Saul but the public needs to see and hear from God - it is going to be a formal and public choosing.

Samuel begins - at least we assume - to cast the sacred lots before the Lord. (An interesting side note - the only other time a method used like this in which an individual was selected using the casting of lots was Josh 7:16-18 the identifying of Achan and his rebellion)

The Tribe of Benjamin was taken so they were called to have a representative of each family of Benjamites come closer Then the family of Matri was taken, Then Kish, then Saul

But Saul could not be found (David will have to be sent for as well remember when Samuel goes to anoint the second king) 1, 2 Samuel (6) Saul Is Publicly Installed as King (10:17–27)

Saul’s vacancy at his own coronation suitably foreshadows a reign that would vacate responsibilities associated with the exercise of godly rule and perhaps suggests the lack of wisdom of those who preferred such a king to Yahweh

Saul could not be found and when human endeavors at locating him had failed they inquired of the Lord further and God - God tells them where to find him - hiding in the luggage rack.

Well the Bible says, “behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.”

They brought him out and he stood out as he was taller than everyone else there.

Samuel shouts: 1 Samuel 10:24 “...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.”

While Saul seemed to be perfectly fitted as far as appearance, character, and call - yet it is as Charles Swindoll put it: “King Saul was a real piece of work.” C. Swindoll

Saul anointed as Israel’s first king - chosen by God, anointed by Samuel - appears to be a promising leader. 1 Sam 9-10

Baruch Halpern’s recent works, 20 from both biblical and extra-biblical sources, showing that leaders in early Israel came to power in the three stages, which he labeled: (1) designation, (2) demonstration, and (3) confirmation.

The process appeared to work this way:

first an individual was designated in some manner as God’s chosen instrument.

This new appointee was expected to demonstrate the appropriateness of his new appointment by some military feat, whether real or merely ceremonial, that would distinguish him as a leader in the public’s eye.

With this feat accomplished, he was then set to be confirmed publicly as that leader of the people of God.

1 Samuel 10:25–27 KJV 1900

25 Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. 26 And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.

Not everyone was happy with this choice - as is usually the case

1 Samuel 10:25–27 KJV 1900

27 But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

1, 2 Samuel (6) Saul Is Publicly Installed as King (10:17–27)

Saul was not without his detractors, however, as “some troublemakers” (lit., “sons of Belial,” translated “wicked men” in

Saul’s first military conflict - 1 Samuel 11

The first king to cause Saul trouble was Nahash

Nahash the leader of the Ammonites

The Ammonites were the descendants of Ben-ammi (Lot’s son with his younger daughter, Gen 19:30-38)

The first hostile encounter with the Ammonites is found in Judges 3:12-14 - they join the coalition formed by Eglon, king of Moab.

Jephthah later defeats an unnamed king of Ammon (Judges 11)

Solomon’s wife Naamah the mother of Rehoboam was an Ammonite

Solomon built a temple for the chief god of the Ammonites, on the Mount of Olives (it is possible child sacrifices were committed here as that was a significant part of their religion)

Tobiah - one of the major antagonists of Nehemiah was an Ammonite

But many years before Tobiah or Naamah - Nahash the king of the Ammonites - encamp against Jabesh-gilead

It was the Ammonite military threat under the leadership of Nahash, among other things, that cause Israel to demand a king.

1 Samuel 12:12 “12 And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king.”

Jabesh-gilead wanted to make a covenant (make a deal) with Nahash and so he makes a deal with them -

It was a conditional deal based on one condition

He would gouge out all their right eyes

They had seven days to agree to his terms of surrender

“This mass facial disfigurement would have brought “disgrace on all Israel,” to say nothing of the deep humiliation and handicap for each mutilated individual.” (NAC)

This had advantages for the Ammorites

They would have still been able to perform agricultural tasks (thus generating taxable income)

This had military implications

It would disable the men for military duty as the left eye was usually covered by the shield in battle - the right eye was used to spot the enemy

The response from Jabesh Gilead was genius.

Give us seven days

Let us 1 Samuel 11:3 ... that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.”

I’m sure Nahash doubted they would find anyone to “save them”

Just a little background:

1 & 2 Samuel Historical and Cultural Background

In the scroll of Samuel found in cave 4 at Qumran, an entire additional verse is included at the beginning of

Messengers were immediately dispatched to Gibeah to now King Saul’s headquarters.

They find Saul back in the field, working as a farmer

1 Samuel 11:5 “5 And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.”

Why was Saul working in the field rather than assuming the duties of the king?

Some suppose:

He returned to his former occupation until a special occasion should arise that would call him to higher responsibility

Others have argued that since his selection as king was opposed by some (1 Sam 10:27), he refrained from exercising monarchial rights until that opposition should subside.

Saul’s reactions to the messengers is very reminiscent to that of the Judge’s when they were called upon by God to act:

1 Samuel 11:6–7 KJV 1900

6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. 7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

1, 2 Samuel (7) Saul Delivers Jabesh from the Ammonites (11:1–11)

The writer’s statement that God’s Spirit was powerfully over Saul prepares the reader to expect a successful outcome for Saul’s undertaking; nowhere in biblical Hebrew narrative does the divine Spirit come over a person without an act or word resulting that helps God’s people. At the same time, however, the narrator artfully casts a shadow over Saul’s moment of glory by referring to the divine presence as “the Spirit of God,” not “the Spirit of Yahweh/the LORD.” Though both phrases refer to the same being, this subtle change in language deprives Saul of direct association with Israel’s covenant God. Five Israelites are mentioned as having “the Spirit of the LORD” come over them, but in Genesis to 2 Kings40 the only other person said to have “the Spirit of God” come over him is Balaam, a non-Israelite (cf.

Notice the call in 1 Samuel 11:7 “...Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel,...” Yes Saul was king - but Samuel remained the proven and respected leader. Later their paths would go separate ways - but for now they worked together.

1 Sam 11:8 SO with an army of 330,000 men (notice the author already separates Israel and Judah - some speculate this could have been added or edited after the divided kingdoms)

Saul sends word back with the messengers that “Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will have help.”

This made them glad. SO glad they were emboldend: listen to what they said:

1 Samuel 11:10 “10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.”

1 Samuel 11:11 KJV 1900

11 And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

1 Samuel 11:12–14 KJV 1900

12 And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death. 13 And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel. 14 Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.

Then we find that:

1 Samuel 11:15 KJV 1900

15 And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

Samuel then gives another pep talk to Israel - I don’t have time to give all of it - but it foreshadows some of the things that will come to pass it ends where he prays:

1 Samuel 12:18–25 KJV 1900

18 So Samuel called unto the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. 19 And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. 20 And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart; 21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. 23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: 24 Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

While we don’t know for sure how old David was when he was anointed by Samuel -

But it is likely that somewhere around the first few years of Saul’s reign -

That around a dinner table one night with several little ones and teenagers gathered around that as dad took his seat, mom clears her throat and says;

I have something to say, we are going to have another child - I can see the dad getting up and doing a little jig, the kids giggling and laughing - excitement around Jesse’s house - not knowing all that lay ahead of them and what this announcement will bring.

Nine months later- a little boy was placed in Jesse’s arms and as he looked down - with pride and joy - he say, “David” that is what we will call him. “David”

I imagine God looking down and saying, “I’ve got a plan for that little one”

We will look at some how David and Saul’s lives will intertwine and interact next week.

Not long after Saul began to reign we see Saul’s Flaws - he commits a series of disobedient acts which demonstrates his lack of trust in God He makes a terrible decision - 1 Sam 13 - Saul’s Unlawful Sacrifice He makes a rash vow against his own son 1 Sam. 14 He openly disobeyed God. 1 Samuel 15 - Saul Spares Agag When Samuel pointed his finger at the king, Saul at first tried to rationalize what he had done, then finally admitted, “I am guilty.” But even then, he qualified his confession. Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice. Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me, that I may worship the L ORD .” 1 Samuel 15:24–25 (emphasis added) You can see here that Saul was greatly concerned about his image. He didn’t want the people to know that he had sinned. So he said, “Samuel, why don’t you come with me, and nobody will know that I’ve disobeyed. You just return and let’s worship together like we’ve always done.” His greatest concern was his image. Samuel didn’t buy it . . . not for a minute. His reply was a straight-from-the-shoulder jab that Saul would never forget: But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the L ORD , and the L ORD has rejected you from being king over Israel.” And as Samuel turned to go, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. So Samuel said to him, “The L ORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you. “And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.” Then he [Saul] said, “I have sinned; but please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and go back with me, that I may worship the L ORD your God.” 1 Samuel 15:26–30 Saul, the great rationalizer, again pleaded, “Look, Samuel, you’ve caught me in the act, and I’ve confessed it privately. Now why don’t you come on back with me and we’ll go right on as if nothing happened.” But Samuel, being a man of integrity, saw through the whole thing. Clearly, Saul had failed God. So Samuel said to the king, “I won’t humiliate you before the people. I’ll go back and go through the ritual of this sacrificial act of worship, but, Saul, that’s the last day I want to see you.” And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. . . . 1 Samuel 15:35 If you check your geography, you’ll see that Samuel went home in one direction and Saul went home in another . . . and they never met again until the day of Saul’s death. This was the setting and situation of Samuel hunting down Jesse to anoint one of his sons for the kingship - that son we know to be David. 1 Samuel 16:13–14 (KJV 1900)13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. 14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. Saul was anointed by Samuel and by God - but the Spirit of God departed and an evil spirit took its place The evil spirit - brought animosity and jealousy toward David Next week I want us to look at the relationship between Saul and David