When God chooses a Flawed Leader

I. It may be an act of Judgment

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How Israel’s History shows that they are presently rejecting God

Israel wanted three things out of their King - To raise an national army to defeat enemies; to act as the highest court in the land to preserve law and order; to elevate the status of Israel in the world.

God already promised them all those things if they followed him; and he promised them the opposite if they rejected him. A king wasn’t going to change that.

But the people thought that a change of government would solve their problems without God.

The implication of “Because you have rejected your God

God might have refused, but they would never find out the consequences of their choice.

God might have chosen a truly evil king to punish them, but he didn’t do that either.

Instead, God gave them exactly what they wanted, to let them see the consequences of their decision.

How God’s Judgment brings both pain and hope Heb 12:11

Hebrews 12:11 NKJV

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

II. The Chosen cannot refuse

Comparisons between this lot and others as a further proof of judgment

Why Saul’s hiding is important to reveal God’s Choice

Why Saul’s Hiding shows his lack of faith

III. God’s People Accept Him

The men of valor as those who follow God and therefore follow God’s man

The worthless fellows as those who reject God.

Saul’s commendable silence.

IV. God enables him

Where God calls, he also enables

A. By Providence

Nahash “The Snake” of Ammon’s brutal treaty

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The family relationship between Benjamin and Jabesh-Gilead Judges 21:1-12

B. in the Power of the Spirit

Survey of those who had the Spirit “rush” on them. When that happened

Othniel, Caleb’s younger brother, went to war and defeated Cushan-rishathaim of Mesopotamia Judges 3:7-11

Gideon gathered an army from the surrounding tribes and defeated the Midianites Judges 6:33-35

Jephthah took his army of misfits and defeated the Ammonites Judges 11:29-33

Samson repeatedly defeated the Philistines by feats of supernatural strength (Judges 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14; 16:28-31

After David’s annointing (1 Samuel 16:13 ), he defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17)

Saul already had received the Spirit, but that made him prophecy (1 Samuel 10:6 ).

The questionable but successful means of mobilizing Israel (c.f. Judges 19:29-30 implied that the same would be done to anyone who failed to mobilize. The threat was carried out on Jabesh-Gilead in Judges 21 ).

The subterfuge of the men of Jabesh

Wise Military Tactics.

V. God defines his Job

They dedicate the Kingdom with offerings and worship.

Samuel defined the rights and duties of the king

God swept away all opposition to Saul’s authority.

God indeed still does define authoritative roles. Not an endorsement of everything leaders do, as that role may be negative because it is a judgment. Daniel 4 ; God