1 Samuel 13
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1 sam 13:1
Saul lived for one year and then became king, and when he had reigned for two years over Israel, Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent home, every man to his tent.
Saul lived for one year and then became king, and when he had reigned for two years over Israel,
Intro: Today, we continue our journey through the book of 1 Samuel…now up to this point, the new king of the Israelites has showed pretty well…but here in chapter 13 we’re gonna see the beginning of Saul’s downfall
(Prop) Today we’re gonna have a first hand look at the kind of leader God rejects this will be a good reminder for those of us in leadership…a reminder of what not to do...
This seems fitting for Father’s day…But everyone is a leader in some right
Saul was insecure
Saul was disobedient
Saul had the wrong heart
Mind your heart
Saul was insecure
Saul was insecure
Now the first couple of verses set up the context...
1 Saul lived for one year and then became king, and when he had reigned for two years over Israel, 2 Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent home, every man to his tent.
Before this time Israel didn’t have standing army so to speak…they were more like a militias…but now Saul is the king…so he’s wanting an army…so he calls this standing army together…and one of the commanders of the army was his son Johnathan who was a great man…and we’ll get to know him well
Before this time Israel didn’t have standing army so to speak…they were more like a militias…but now Saul is the king…so he’s wanting an army…so he calls this standing army together…and one of the commanders of the army was his son Johnathan who was a great man…and we’ll get to know him well
Look at what he did...
Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.” And all Israel heard it said that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become a stench to the Philistines. And the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal.
And the Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven.
1 samuel 13:3-
3 Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.” 4 And all Israel heard it said that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become a stench to the Philistines. And the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal.
1 sAM 13:
So Johnathan was a remarkable military leader…and he and his thousand troops take out this garrison (A highly fortified base with around double what Johnathan had)
Notice 2 things:
Notice that when they went out and attacked the philistines…the philistines get really angry - “Israel had become a stench to the philistines” - Now it’s important to understand the dynamic of the relationship between the Philistines and the Israelites, the Philistines we’re in charge…they were the bully…and Israel was permitted to live, but essentially under the oppression of the Philistines. but as soon as Israel fought back…The philistines got angry and really began to attack with full force
Theres a spiritual picture here: The bible says spiritually speaking we have a very real enemy named satan who wants to keep us under his thumb…and as long as your subject to him, living for what he wants you to live for…you might live quite a comfortable life
I’ve been reading about Slavery in the south and how horrific It was, and to how there was literally publication in the 1850’s called the “Ideal Slave” and it promoted a 3 pronged on how to handle a slave:
Keep them fearful - As long as they believe they have no power or chance of power they’ll remained submitted
Keep them uneducated - As long as they carry around with them deep sense of inferiority they’ll remain submitted
Teach the servants to take interest in the master’s enterprise - As long as they believe that the life that their oppressor is living is the ultimate life to live they will remain submitted
Following the prohibition placed on the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the early nineteenth century, some slave owners attempted to improve the living conditions of their existing slaves in order to deter them from running away
App: It’s important to see that this Heinous kind of wickedness had an a spiritual origin…Satan has no problem with while you remain subject to him…but fight back, He’ll use every tactic in the book to get back under his slavery
Are you being attacked? That the sign of a liberated soul…satan doesn’t need to attack his slaves
Notice Saul’s insecurity - (ESV) 3 Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.” 4 And all Israel heard it said that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines - Who lead the battle...Johnathan, who took the credit for it? Saul…here we see the tremors of an insecure heart are beginning....it’s not a big thing, but it will be soon…soon he’s be consumed with Jealously over a young man named David
3 Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.” 4 And all Israel heard it said that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become a stench to the Philistines. And the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal.
Here’s the issue with Insecurity:
App: An insecure leader is a weak leader
Insecurity shows you have low view of what God says about you...
Insecurity shows are always dependent on what others say about you...
Insecurity makes You incredibly fragile as a person
Insecurity shows a lack of care for a the common good - because you see God’s helpers…as a threat
Is that you?…whats the answer?
Realize it’s not about you
You don’t need to be…Jesus was humbly willing to let others take the credit...”My food is to do the will of the Father”…we should be like that too
Saul was disobedient
Saul was disobedient
Look what else happens...
Saul was disobedient
Saul was disobedient
And the Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven.
And the Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven. When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns, and some Hebrews crossed the fords of the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
And the Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven. When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns,
So here we see the philistines assemble for war, theres a lot of them, they massively outnumber the 3000 that Israel had…but it’s alright, they got what they’ve been begging for a human king, so now they don’t have to walk by faith, they can walk by sight…Saul will somehow find a way to bring victory so they should be confident right? wrong, the go running for cover…whatever they could find…I’m sure there were a lot of people who thought “if we can just get a new king, things will be different”…it wasn’t
This reminds us: You can change everything about your situation, but if you yourself never chose to change, you’ll do the same thing over and over again
So now look at Saul...
So now it’s time for the nation to attack…so what are they gonna do?
He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering.
So now it’s time to attack and Saul give word to Samuel “we’re gonna attack the philistines…we need God’s blessing” and Samuel says “I’ll be there in 7 days” now understand this, everyday the Israelites wait, the philistine forces are mobilizing…so human logic says “attack now while you have the eliminate of surprise”…But Samuel says “7 days” Human logic “Do it now!” God logic “Wait for me”…but He doesn’t he goes ahead and offers the offering himself
This is called disobedience - So here Saul disobeys in 2 ways:
And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. But if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.”
So Moses listed them according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded.
God said through Samuel to wait…He didn’t
to be a reminder to the people of Israel, so that no outsider, who is not of the descendants of Aaron, should draw near to burn incense before the Lord, lest he become like Korah and his company—as the Lord said to him through Moses.
God’s law said that Saul wasn’t allowed to offer sacrifices “only the sons of Aaron could offer offerings”() He did it anyway
So Saul disobeyed God’s instruction through Samuel…but you know what was worse? the way he handled his disobedience…with lots of facade and lots of excuses...
10 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. 11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, 12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.”
As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him.
1 Sam 13:10-
So look at how Saul handles being caught
Isn’t
He tries to cover it up: V.10 He went out to meet him and greet him - This word greet in the original language means to “bless” which he came up to Samuel like “Oh Samuel…bless you brother!!!” trying to act as if everything is fine…when that was the furthest from the truth
So what does Saul do?
10 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. 11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, 12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.”
Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash,
1 sam 13:10
So Saul gets caught red handed and how does he respond?
He tries to cover it up: V.10 He went out to meet him and greet him - This word greet in the original language means to “bless” which he came up to Samuel like “Oh Samuel…bless you brother!!!” trying to act as if everything is fine…when that was the furthest from the truth
He responds with lots of excuses:
He blamed public opinion - v.11 “I saw the people scatter from me” - As Saul was waiting, the people began to scatter, and Saul so worried about what the public opinion of him was instead of God’s opinion
App - God’s opinion is always more important
He blamed Samuel - “You didn’t come in the days appointed” - Last week when Samuel called out the sin of the nation they were like “Yeah…we sinned” but here Saul doesn’t want to own it
He blamed the moment - 12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering” - Saul says “I had to” I felt forced to do it...
App: Here’s the thing walking with God is often walking against what your feelings tell you to do
12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.”
Big point: So here we see in Saul a someone who is willing to disobey God when pressured…but also willing to make excuse after excuse...
Here’s the truth…when every we talk about Saul…No one remembers his excuses…but everyone remembers his sin…that will be the same with you
Good leaders obey God even when it’s difficult…even when we don’t understand…even when we will end up standing alone
Here’s the last thing…and It’s the Biggest one
Saul had the wrong heart
Saul had the wrong heart
13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
Does this seem harsh to you? It was just one mistake right? well here’s the thing about God...he always sees deeper into any person then just the actions…he measures the intention...he weighs the matters of the heart as well…and as we can see here, the heart was the real issue for God…and it goes to show that it was enough of an Issue for God to want another King in David
but think about this: They were simular in a lot of ways - kings - anointed - did great things - sinned…so what made David’s heart so different?
I wanna give you 3 ways David’s heart was different from Saul’s
The heart is such a big deal to God
Why is the heart such a big deal to God?
Because starts in the chambers of the heart will eventually come out of the Life
Understand: I believe that This was God’s way of giving Saul a chance to repent
The importance of the Heart - Around 800 times in the bible…best translated the “inner person”
It was different in relationship - All you have to do is read about Saul, you get the since that His relationship with God was almost one of necessity more love and devotion…yet David had a incredibly close relationship with God…just ask the book of Psalms
Jer 17:33
Ezekiel
My Dad…I know him…not like an aqauntance …like a son
Saul knew God like an acquaintance…David knew him like a son
23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
It was different in repentance - Both men sinned…some might say that David’s sin was more horrendous than Saul’s but here’s the difference, both men sinned…one man repented…one didn’t
Here’s what Saul did...
11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night.
Here’s what David did...
psalm 51:1-4
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Both men Failed…but Saul failure ended with him turning his back…David
It was difference in dependence - Saul’s motivation was the people - When King Saul disobeyed God and did not utterly destroy the wicked cities and plunder, “Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice” ()
But Davids said things like this
What this means is that out of all of the determining factors in your life - Your schoolings - Your appearance - Your talents - What will determine your course the most is your Heart
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Big point: So here’s the point, God was far more concerned about Saul’s heart then anything else…And he’s just as concerned about ours as He was about Saul’s
Conclusion: God saw who Saul really was…and He sees you too
Are you insecure? Give that to the Lord
Are you in sin? be honest about it and get right
Is your heart wrong?
Admit it - It’s by grace you’ve been saved
Commit it -
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Correct it - Use the tool’s he’s giving you
His Word
His People
His Spirit