The Ruler and the Kingdom Part II

TBD..

In His sovereignty, God is choosing to respond to the people’s request for a king.... by providing Saul. Saul, this outwardly beautiful, tall and strong looking man would be the “people’s king”. Once placed in this position, Saul would have a choice to make.

Would He be a king who would pursue the heart of the people….. or would he be a king who would pursue the heart of God? Time will tell.

Could Saul be this one of whom Hannah sang? Wasn’t the anointed King to come from the line of Judah? (Gen. 49:8-10)

If the concept of a king was to be from the line of Judah… why is a son of Benjamin being positioned to take the throne? Something seems off. Will Saul truly be His (God’s) King? Is Saul truly His (God’s) anointed?

Maybe so.... maybe not.... time will tell.

Saul doesn’t know it yet, but by the time we get to the end of chapter 13, his career will all be down hill from there! :-)

In Chapters 10-12 the author will present both the Ruler and the Kingdom. Neither of which will end up being what was expected.

[chosen but not called] [is being chosen the same as being called?]

As we study through the text, I want you to ask yourself this question: Is being chosen the same as being called?

Gilgal will keep coming up in the narrative. It is an important place in the history of Israel. Gilgal was:

the first place Israel rested after entering the promised land (Joshua 4:19)

the place where the wilderness wanderings ended for Israel (Joshua 5:11-12)

the place where the new generation of Israelites were circumcised… and their new life in God’s land began

Gilgal had and will be the location where Samuel calls the nation together for instruction and worship.

II. God’s Grace in the midst of Rebellion (10:17-27)

Another question to consider: If you receive a new heart… does that automatically result in a new person?

A. Remembering all God has done (17-19)

B. Out of Judgement Comes a.... King? (19-24)

C. The Response to God’s King (25-27)

One last question to consider: Just because you have been selected for a position.... does that mean that you will be able to effectively stand in that role?

Conclusion:

The end of Chapter 10 leaves the audience wondering…. Is this God’s man or not? How could he allow these worthless men to act this way towards God’s anointed?…… (by treating God’s anointed this way… they were actually disrespecting God Himself…) —> What kind of king will Saul really be? Who is he trying to please? The people? Or God? This cloud of question hangs in the air as Saul leads the people to victory.... and is finally crowned King by the people at the end of chapter 11.

Wrap up with some content from chapter 11

God raises up leaders to establish His kingdom

God cares for His people even when we are far from Him.

“The Kingdom of God will be established.... despite the fallenness of mankind.”

“God is able to use the fallenness of mankind to establish His Kingdom”

(Sin is not condoned or excused. Sin is judged and punished. God does not expect us to be perfect in order to be used as part of His plans.... But, He does expects us to be His. People who are constantly seeking after His heart (and not of men)..... People longing for His anointing… (and not the praise or recognition of man).....

Saul was the People’s choice… and they got exactly what they wanted. A cleaned up, good looking, strong, and tall version of themselves. But those outward qualities also came with their inward counterparts.... a fallen, flawed, self-seeking… self-loving, man-centered man who would sit on the throne.... not ultimately seeking the Kingdom of God… but the Kingdom of self. (Kingdom of Saul.... Kingdom of Stephen.... Kingdom of Dwight..... Kingdom of Paul… Kingdom of Curt.... Kingdom of (your name here).