Author: Andrew Timberlake

1 Samuel 16:1-23

1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

14 Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him. 15 And Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well.” 17 So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me.” 18 One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him.” 19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.” 20 And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them by David his son to Saul. 21 And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. 22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.” 23 And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Sometime after Saul had been rejected as king, the Lord sent Samuel to go and anoint a new king to lead Israel. He was sent to Jesse the Bethlehemite because God had chosen one of his sons. Jesse was the grandson of Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 4:18-21) and was in the line of the promise (Gen 35:11; 49:10). Samuel was concerned because Saul would hear if he traveled outside of his usual judging circuit and it would be seen as a threat to his throne. So the Lord gave Samuel a second task, to go and offer a sacrifice which would not be seen as suspicious.

When Samuel arrived in Bethlehem the elders were concerned whether Samuel came in peace. An unexpected sacrifice could have been an indication of some sin issue in their town that needed to be dealt with. Samuel assured them he came in peace and invited them to consecrate themselves and attend the sacrifice. Samuel then consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When Jesse and his sons arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and was impressed by his appearance and height and thought he must be who the Lord had chosen (Saul was tall and good-looking). But God made clear a very important lesson. Man judges by the outward appearance, but God judges a man’s heart. Samuel went through the rest of Jesse’s sons who were there and God indicated that He had rejected each of them. This left Samuel with a conundrum. God had said that He had chosen one of Jesse’s sons but now He had rejected all of them. There must have been one missing. They hadn’t bothered to bring the youngest but had left him tending the sheep. Samuel sent for David and they waited until he arrived. When he arrived David was also described as good looking but that is not what qualified him as God’s choice. What mattered was his heart which only God could judge. David was anointed with oil and the Holy Spirit came upon him and stayed with him from that day forward. David was not the first person God had chosen outside of the societal norm of selecting the firstborn. Others God chose over their older brothers included Seth, Noah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Ephraim, and Moses.

While the Holy Spirit came upon David, He departed from Saul. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon people for special service and not as a sign of whether they were believers or saved. This also explains why the Holy Spirit could depart from Saul even though He remains with believers today forever (John 14:16). In His place, the Lord sent a harmful spirit to torment Saul. This harmful spirit could have been a demon but it could also have been an angel of judgment. Saul’s servants recognised what had befallen him and suggested having someone who could play the lyre or harp to ease his suffering. This was a remedy understood by the Israelites to have power in the spiritual world (2 Kings 3:15). Immediately one of Saul’s aids suggested David as the person for the job. He was not only skilled at playing but also qualified for the king’s service in other ways, most importantly, the Lord was with him. Saul was so impressed with David that he made him a permanent part of his court and assigned him as one of his armour-bearers so he was always close by and able to play whenever the harmful spirit came upon Saul.

Do you find yourself making the mistake of judging someone based on their stature or popularity instead of examining their character? More importantly, when others judge you, perhaps unfairly, remember that God is most concerned with the state of your heart.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Warnings from Jesus: Mark 9-10

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

1 Samuel 15:1-35

1 And Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore listen to the words of the LORD. 2 Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt. 3 Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”

4 So Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand men on foot, and ten thousand men of Judah. 5 And Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley. 6 Then Saul said to the Kenites, “Go, depart; go down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. 7 And Saul defeated the Amalekites from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt. 8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and devoted to destruction all the people with the edge of the sword. 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction.

10 The word of the LORD came to Samuel: 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. 12 And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.” 13 And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed be you to the LORD. I have performed the commandment of the LORD.” 14 And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?” 15 Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the LORD your God, and the rest we have devoted to destruction.” 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! I will tell you what the LORD said to me this night.” And he said to him, “Speak.”

17 And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. 18 And the LORD sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ 19 Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the LORD?” 20 And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the LORD. I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. 21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.” 22 And Samuel said,

  “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
    as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
    and to listen than the fat of rams.
23   For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
    and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
  Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
    he has also rejected you from being king.”

24 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. 25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the LORD.” 26 And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel.” 27 As Samuel turned to go away, Saul seized the skirt of his robe, and it tore. 28 And Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. 29 And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.” 30 Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may bow before the LORD your God.” 31 So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul bowed before the LORD.

32 Then Samuel said, “Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites.” And Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” 33 And Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. 35 And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Samuel approached Saul with a directive from the Lord. God was still the Lord of hosts (Yahweh Sabot—Lord of armies) and He had a divine mission for Saul. When God brought Israel out of Egypt, the Amalekites had attacked Israel from the rear and God had promised to avenge their actions someday (Ex 17:14-16). Saul’s mission was to devote all of Amalek to destruction. Nothing was to be spared. This was a holy war where Israel served as an instrument of God’s severest judgement. Because of the holiness of the task, the soldiers were not to profit by acquiring slaves or spoils of war.

Saul gathered his army and approached the city of Amalek. Saul spared the Kenites who had shown kindness to Israel (Ex 18:9-10; Jethro was a Kenite, Judg 1:16). Saul proceeded to carry out the Lord’s command and defeated the Amalekites but he didn’t follow God’s command completely. He spared king Agag and his soldiers kept the best of the animals and all they considered good. Whatever they considered worthless they devoted to destruction.

The Lord let Samuel know what had happened. God expressed regret at having made Saul king because he had disobeyed and not followed His commandments. God was grieved because of Saul’s failure to obey completely. Samuel shared in the Lord’s anger and prayed in anguish all night. When Samuel went to confront Saul he was told that Saul had erected a monument for himself. Saul’s chief concern was his own glory over devotion to God. Saul greeted Samuel declaring he had done what the Lord had asked. But Samuel asked about the animal sounds he could hear. Saul tried to justify his disobedience by claiming the best of the sheep and oxen were kept to sacrifice to the Lord. When asked about his disobedience Saul blamed the people for taking the spoil and the animals. Samuel responded with a timeless principle we would all do well to remember: Does God delight in sacrifices over obedience to His word? The answer is a resounding “no”. We cannot partially obey God and then think that acts of religious piety will cover our disobedience.
Samuel declared that Saul was guilty of rebellion, arrogance, and rejecting the word of the Lord. As a result, God rejected Saul as king. Saul desperate to have Samuel pardon him grabbed his garment and tore the edge of his robe. Samuel used that as an illustration of Saul’s kingdom which was torn from him and would be given to another, David—a man after God’s own heart.

Samuel executed Agag, the king of the Amalekites, which is what Saul and his army should have done. Samuel never again met with Saul until he died. Samuel’s absence was a symbol of God’s absence from the disobedient king. While God permitted Saul to continue to reign, He was grieved over how Saul had chosen to lead.

In what area of your life are you only partially obeying God? Obeying God on your terms is not obedience at all. What do you need to change today to make things right?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Feeding the Four Thousand: Mark 7-8

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

1 Samuel 14:24-52

24 And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people had tasted food. 25 Now when all the people came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground. 26 And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright. 28 Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food this day.’” And the people were faint. 29 Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great.”

31 They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint. 32 The people pounced on the spoil and took sheep and oxen and calves and slaughtered them on the ground. And the people ate them with the blood. 33 Then they told Saul, “Behold, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood.” And he said, “You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here.” 34 And Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, ‘Let every man bring his ox or his sheep and slaughter them here and eat, and do not sin against the LORD by eating with the blood.’” So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night and they slaughtered them there. 35 And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

36 Then Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until the morning light; let us not leave a man of them.” And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” But the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.” 37 And Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him that day. 38 And Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has arisen today. 39 For as the LORD lives who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But there was not a man among all the people who answered him. 40 Then he said to all Israel, “You shall be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.” 41 Therefore Saul said, “O LORD God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O LORD, God of Israel, give Urim. But if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped. 42 Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was taken.

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die.” 44 And Saul said, “God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan.” 45 Then the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the LORD lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people ransomed Jonathan, so that he did not die. 46 Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.

47 When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned he routed them. 48 And he did valiantly and struck the Amalekites and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.

49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchi-shua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn was Merab, and the name of the younger Michal. 50 And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. 51 Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

52 There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Saul imposed an oath on his soldiers, declaring a curse on anyone who ate anything until the Philistines had been defeated. This strategy of fasting may have been driven by a desire to win the Lord’s favour but it seems ill-conceived. There was no requirement in the Law that soldiers abstain from eating during battle. In order to fight well, they would have needed a high-calorie intake. But the soldiers refused to eat anything, even wild honey in the forest because they feared the curse.

Jonathan had not heard of the oath so he dipped his staff into some of the wild honey and ate it and was immediately energised (“his eyes brightened”). A nearby solder, aware of the oath, informed Jonathan of the oath the soldiers had been put under. Jonathan remarked that his father had brought trouble on the land. Their victory would have been much greater had it not been for the oath that inhibited his army.

The men were so hungry when the battle was over and they were released from their vow that they immediately began to slaughter the sheep, oxen, and calves that were spoils of war and ate it while there was still blood in it—which was a direct violation of the Law (Gen 9:4; Lev 3:17). When Saul was informed that the people were sinning, he immediately provided a large rock on which to slaughter the animals and drain the blood before eating. Saul also built an altar to the Lord.

Saul began making plans to continue to pursue the Philistines and plunder them but the priest, Ahijah, encouraged Saul to inquire of the Lord first. Saul asked the Lord if he should continue to pursue the Philistines but he received no answer that night. The priests would use the Urim and Thummim when seeking the Lord’s answer but the lack of a definitive answer suggests they weren’t limited to yes and no answers. The lack of a definitive answer prompted Saul to seek out who had sinned in their midst. A decision was made between the royal family and the rest of Israel and then another between Saul and Jonathan and the lot fell to Jonathan. Jonathan had not sinned by breaking the vow, because he had not been party to the promise to fast that day. He was placed under his father’s curse because he had tasted some honey in the forest. As Israel’s king, Saul had the power to curse, but he did not have the ultimate authority to enforce his curse, unlike the Lord (Gen 12:3). Saul’s decision was overthrown by the people who recognised God’s work that day and Jonathan’s faith-filled actions that had brought them victory. The people ransomed or rescued Jonathan that day.

The concluding verses of the chapter give a summary of Saul’s military career, administration, and family. The formula for this paragraph is similar to the concluding paragraphs of Israel’s future kings. It seems odd to place it at this point in the story. Perhaps it is because from the author’s perspective, from this point Saul is disqualified as Israel’s true king even though he continued to function as the head of state for many more years.

Are you prone to making rash decisions or do you take time in God’s word and prayerfully consider God’s will before choosing a course of action?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

John the Baptist Beheaded: Mark 5-6

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

1 Samuel 14:1-23

1 One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah in the pomegranate cave at Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men, 3 including Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the LORD in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone. 4 Within the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side. The name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5 The one crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.

6 Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.” 7 And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.” 8 Then Jonathan said, “Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them. 9 If they say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up, for the LORD has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us.” 11 So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, “Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.” 12 And the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor-bearer and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you a thing.” And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come up after me, for the LORD has given them into the hand of Israel.” 13 Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him. 14 And that first strike, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, killed about twenty men within as it were half a furrow’s length in an acre of land. 15 And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even the raiders trembled, the earth quaked, and it became a very great panic.

16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there. 17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count and see who has gone from us.” And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. 18 So Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel. 19 Now while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold, every Philistine’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion. 21 Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle. 23 So the LORD saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The previous chapter laid out how hopeless Israel’s situation was. The Philistines had a formidable force and the Israelites were not only outnumbered but also out-armoured. This story does not flow chronologically after chapter thirteen. Sometime later Jonathan, Saul’s son, and his armour-bearer hed over to a Philistine garrison on the top of a hill. Saul was camped at Gibeah with about six hundred men, including Ahijah the priest who was wearing an ephod (Ex 28:4), and they did not know that Jonathan was not among them.

As they were climbing up the rocky crags Jonathan said to his armour-bearer that they should go and attack the Philistines. He referred to them as uncircumcised indicating they are outside of the Jewish faith and not under God’s protection. Jonathan expressed faith in God’s ability to bring victory despite the odds against them. His armour-bearer pledged his complete support. Jonathan’s plan was counter-intuitive. He planned to show themselves and then gauge the Philistine reaction. If the Philistines called them to come and fight, they would see that as a sign that God was going to give them victory. It was a plan so absurd that victory could only be attributed to the Lord. When they showed themselves, the Philistines beckoned them with a taunt along the lines of “come and we will teach you a lesson”. So Jonathan climbed up and encouraged his armour-bearer declaring, “the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.” The two of them attacked the Philistines and defeated twenty men in a field small enough a yoke of oxen could plow in half a day. The rest of the Philistines trembled due to a great panic sent from God.

Saul’s watchmen noticed the panicked Philistines dispersing prompting Saul to find out who was missing from their ranks. After a headcount, they found Jonathan and his armour-bearer were not with them. The time was right to attack the Philistines but first, they needed to be addressed by the priest (Deu 20:1-4). Saul called for Ahijah to bring the ark of God. While Saul was still speaking with the priest he noticed the Philistine confusion was growing and he sensed he was losing a golden opportunity. So he did the unthinkable. He ordered the priest to suspend his duties and led the Israelites into battle. Once again, instead of following God’s blueprint for battle, Saul headed off on his own mission. When Saul got to the confusion he found the Philistines fighting against each other. This was because some Hebrews who had previously defected and joined the Philistine army (a mistake the Philistines would not make again, 1 Sam 29:3-9) now fought against them. The men who had previously deserted Saul also returned to fight when they heard that the Philistines were fleeing. “So the Lord saved Israel that day.”

This story reveals two character types. One, Jonathan, shows great faith that the Lord is the one who saves moving forward in complete dependence on God, and the other, Saul, insists on moving ahead on his own way without waiting to do things God’s way first—even when His way is clear. Are you charging ahead in your own strength or are you waiting on God’s timing in your life?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The 12 Disciples: Mark 3-4

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

1 Samuel 13:1-23

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. 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.

5 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. 6 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, 7 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.

8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. 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.” 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.” 15 And Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal. The rest of the people went up after Saul to meet the army; they went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin.

And Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men. 16 And Saul and Jonathan his son and the people who were present with them stayed in Geba of Benjamin, but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. 17 And raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual; 18 another company turned toward Beth-horon; and another company turned toward the border that looks down on the Valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

19 Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears.” 20 But every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle, 21 and the charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the plowshares and for the mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening the axes and for setting the goads. 22 So on the day of the battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan, but Saul and Jonathan his son had them. 23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The opening verse of chapter 13 is quite a challenge for translators because the Hebrew says, “Saul was one year old (son of a year) when he became king, and he reigned two years over Israel.” This clearly can’t be true for obvious reasons—he was clearly older than one when he became king and he ruled for longer than 2 years (Acts 13:21, Paul says he reigned for 40 years). A solid suggestion is that the writer is indicating that the Ammonite threat came in Saul’s first year and the Philistine encounter was in his second year. Another good suggestion is that Saul had reigned only two years before the Lord disqualified him from the throne (though he was left to rule for another forty years).

Saul began to develop and train an army for Israel. He chose three thousand men, two thousand served under him and a thousand served under his son Jonathan. There were others who were willing to serve but he sent them home. Jonathan had an encounter with a garrison of Philistines stationed at Geba. This action roused the Philistines to come against Israel. Saul called the people to join him at Gilgal. The Philistines came out in force against Israel. Here there is another challenge in the text: the Hebrew reads thirty thousand chariots but that isn’t plausible with only six thousand charioteers. It is most likely a copying error and the original was three thousand chariots. The Philistine force was so large that many Israelites defected, hid wherever they could and some even left the land, crossing the Jordan heading east. Those who remained with Saul were gripped with fear.

Saul waited seven days as Samuel had asked (1 Sam 10:8) but on the seventh day when Samuel hadn’t arrived, Saul grew impatient and took upon himself the priestly task of offering the sacrifices. As he finished offering the burnt offering and before he could offer the peace offering, Samuel arrived as promised. Saul went out to greet him but Samuel immediately asked what he had done. Saul responded defensively blaming three other parties for his disobedience. The people were scattering, Samuel didn’t arrive in time, and the Philistines were preparing to fight. Because of this, Saul believed he was compelled to offer the burnt offerings and seek the Lord’s favour. Samuel pointed out the foolishness of seeking God’s favour through disobedience to His commands. The consequence of his actions was that God would not allow Saul’s kingdom to continue. Instead, God would choose another, a man after His own heart, to lead Israel.

Saul went with six hundred men to face the Philistines but they were at a significant disadvantage because they had no blacksmiths. The Philistines had kept them from developing their own metallurgy for fear that they would develop swords and spears. Israel had to depend on the Philistines for their tools. On the day of the battle, only Saul and Jonathan had weapons.

Saul reasoned that his circumstances justified doing things contrary to God’s way. When his sin was exposed, he justified himself by blaming others. No matter how dire our situation may be, we cannot hope to receive God’s blessing when we violate His way of doing things. Even though it may be extremely hard, we must wait on God’s timing and trust in His sovereignty. What are you doing wrong that you think is justified by your situation and are you blaming others for your sinful choices?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry: Mark 1-2

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Proverbs 21:15-31

15   When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
    but terror to evildoers.
16   One who wanders from the way of good sense
    will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17   Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;
    he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18   The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
    and the traitor for the upright.
19   It is better to live in a desert land
    than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
20   Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling,
    but a foolish man devours it.
21   Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22   A wise man scales the city of the mighty
    and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23   Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
    keeps himself out of trouble.
24   “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man
    who acts with arrogant pride.
25   The desire of the sluggard kills him,
    for his hands refuse to labor.
26   All day long he craves and craves,
    but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27   The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
    how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
28   A false witness will perish,
    but the word of a man who hears will endure.
29   A wicked man puts on a bold face,
    but the upright gives thought to his ways.
30   No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
    can avail against the LORD.
31   The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but the victory belongs to the LORD.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that are easily applied to everyday situations. Consider carefully which of the sayings you’ve read today are particularly applicable to you today and in the coming week. What do you need to change or do more of to make use of God’s wisdom in your life?

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Psalm 29

A Psalm of David.

1   Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
    ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2   Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
    worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
3   The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the LORD, over many waters.
4   The voice of the LORD is powerful;
    the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5   The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
    the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6   He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
    and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7   The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
8   The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
    the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9   The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth
    and strips the forests bare,
    and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10   The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
    the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
11   May the LORD give strength to his people!
    May the LORD bless his people with peace!

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The Psalms are great for helping us relate to God and worship Him. It’s wonderful to spend time in the word and grow in your knowledge of God at a head level. Use today to do your quiet time a little differently and try to grow in your knowledge of God at a heart level. We must always strive to move from knowing of God to knowing God.

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

1 Samuel 12:1-25

1 And Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you. 2 And now, behold, the king walks before you, and I am old and gray; and behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. 3 Here I am; testify against me before the LORD and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you.” 4 They said, “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man’s hand.” 5 And he said to them, “The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they said, “He is witness.”

6 And Samuel said to the people, “The LORD is witness, who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. 7 Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous deeds of the LORD that he performed for you and for your fathers. 8 When Jacob went into Egypt, and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your fathers cried out to the LORD and the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place. 9 But they forgot the LORD their God. And he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab. And they fought against them. 10 And they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. But now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, that we may serve you.’ 11 And the LORD sent Jerubbaal and Barak and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and you lived in safety. 12 And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the LORD your God was your king. 13 And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the LORD has set a king over you. 14 If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well. 15 But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king. 16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes. 17 Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the LORD, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking for yourselves a king.” 18 So Samuel called upon 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 to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” 20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Samuel was old and, with a king established over Israel, he was about to step out of his role of leader and judge of Israel. Samuel’s sons had failed to continue the leadership of their father and now stood “with” the people instead of “over” them. Samuel’s last act as judge was to put himself on trial with the people as prosecutors and the Lord presiding over them. Samuel had a long tenure as a judge, from his youth until that day. He asked for anyone to come forward if he had defrauded or oppressed or stolen from them and he promised to make it right. The people declared that he had been a righteous judge. Having affirmed his credibility as a judge, he addressed them as a prophet. He had proved trustworthy in the past so his word for the future could be counted on.

Samuel now put Israel on trial. Samuel described the Lord’s righteous acts. He began with the Lord sending Moses and Aaron to deliver them from Egypt when they cried out to Him. God used these two men to bring Israel out of bondage in Egypt and settle them in the land, but it was the Lord who was the deliverer. But Israel forgot the Lord so He allowed them to fall to the nations surrounding them. Israel again cried out to the Lord in recognition of their sin and God sent judges including Jerubbaal (Gideon), Barak, Jephthah, and finally Samuel who again were God’s instruments in delivering them from the nations. When Nahash, king of the Ammonites rose against them, they declared they wanted a king of their own, though God was their king. Now God had done what they asked and given them a king. Despite their sin in asking for a king, God was gracious and willing to continue to bless them if they, and their king, would obey His voice and do what He commanded. But if they were to ignore Him and rebel against his commandments, then God would be against the nation and their king. As a sign that they had indeed sinned in their request for a king, Samuel told the people that God would send thunder and rain which was not expected during the time of the wheat harvest. The Lord sent thunder and rain that day and the people feared the Lord and emplored Samuel to pray on their behalf so they would not die at the hand of God. They acknowledged and confessed their sin by asking for a king. Samuel told them not to be afraid. Yes, they had done wrong, but they could return to following and serving God. He reminded them that anything else they could focus on was empty and could not be of real benefit to them nor deliver them because they are empty. Finally, he reminded them that God would not forsake His people because of His own great name’s sake as He had chosen to make them His people. Samuel would continue to mediate for them in prayer and teach them the right way to live because to do anything else would be a sin against the Lord. If the people would listen to and live the right way, then God would continue to bless them. If they did not, then they could expect God’s judgment.

How wonderful to know that God’s grace is extended to us after we have made bad decisions. We cannot change the choices we have made but we can repent and then make new decisions today. Today, will you choose to follow the Lord with all your heart?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Jesus’ Death and Resurrection: Matthew 27-28

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

1 Samuel 11:1-15

1 Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” 2 But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.” 3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days’ respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.” 4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, they reported the matter in the ears of the people, and all the people wept aloud.

5 Now, behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, “What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?” So they told him the news of the men of Jabesh. 6 And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. 7 He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of the messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!” Then the dread of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out as one man. 8 When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. 9 And they said to the messengers who had come, “Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have salvation.’” When the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they were glad. 10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.” 11 And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

12 Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” 13 But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.” 14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Nahash the Ammonite besieged Jabesh-Gilead. The men of Jabesh asked for a treaty that would spare their lives and protect them from further attacks but would subject them to paying taxes to Nahash. Nahash agreed but with one condition, that he gouge out everyone’s right eye. This would bring disgrace upon them. It would also hinder their depth perception making it difficult for them to fight while leaving them able to continue their agricultural livelihood and their ability to pay taxes. The elders of Jabesh asked for a seven-day reprise to see if they could get someone to help them and if not, they would accept the terms. Nabesh probably allowed this because Israel had no standing army at the time so he didn’t think their cry for help would amount to much he couldn’t handle. He was also probably eager to spare the costs of a lengthy siege. Whatever his reasons, the decision ended up costing him.

The messengers came to Gibeah where Saul heard the news after coming in from plowing a field with oxen. Saul was still involved in farming during the early years of his reign while the administration was still being established. The people of Gibeah were related to the people of Jabesh-Gilead (Jud 21:1-23). The Spirit of God came on Saul and he took his oxen, cut them up, and sent pieces throughout Israel with the message that anyone who didn’t join Saul and Samuel would have their oxen suffer the same fate. Samuel was the established leader in Israel while Saul was still an unknown which is why the call was to join Saul and Samuel. This method of gaining support is very similar to the on the Levite used in Judges 19:29. The dread of the Lord fell on the people perhaps fueled by the memory of the punishment that fell on Jabesh-Gilead when they failed to heed a similar call (Jud 21:5). So all Israel responded and came out to fight. The reference to Israel and Judah separately may indicate that the book of Samuel was written after the divided kingdom, or it could indicate that the tribal division that was first hinted at in Joshua 11:21 was growing. The messengers were sent back to tell the people of Jabesh that they would be rescued and the rescue would happen before dawn. The men of Jabesh offered to give themselves up the next day which probably caused the Ammonites to relax and perhaps even begin celebrating prematurely in anticipation of victory. Saul divided his army into three companies and attacked the Ammonites before sunrise. Those who survived were scattered so they could no longer resist.

Saul had shown himself to be one who could lead the people in battle. The people went to Samuel, still Israel’s recognised leader, wanting to put to death those who had voiced their disapproval at Saul being made king. Saul intervened and put the focus on the Lord who had brought them victory. Samuel gathered the people again at Gilgal where they reaffirmed Saul as king over Israel. They celebrated with fellowship offerings before the Lord.

Saul had shown himself to be the king Israel had wanted to lead them in victory over their enemies. This time Saul rightly recognised that it was the Lord who had brought them victory and they celebrated in worship. Do you see every victory in your life as coming from the hand of God and worship Him accordingly? Where do you need to change your perspective in this area?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The Plot to Kill Jesus: Matthew 25-26

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

1 Samuel 10:1-27

1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the LORD has anointed you to be prince over his heritage. 2 When you depart from me today, you will meet two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah, and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys that you went to seek are found, and now your father has ceased to care about the donkeys and is anxious about you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?”’ 3 Then you shall go on from there farther and come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. 4 And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept from their hand. 5 After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim, where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. 6 Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 7 Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you. 8 Then go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do.”

9 When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day. 10 When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them. 11 And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” 12 And a man of the place answered, “And who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 13 When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.

14 Saul’s uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To seek the donkeys. And when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.” 15 And Saul’s uncle said, “Please tell me what Samuel said to you.” 16 And Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found.” But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything.

17 Now Samuel called the people together to the LORD at Mizpah. 18 And he said to the people of Israel, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ 19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your thousands.”

20 Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. 22 So they inquired again of the LORD, “Is there a man still to come?” and the LORD said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” 23 Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. 24 And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

25 Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the LORD. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. 26 Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Samuel took a flask of oil and anointed Saul as the king, the new leader of Israel. In the Old Testament, when something (or someone) was anointed with oil, it was set aside for divine service (Ex 30:23–33). Samuel poured oil on Saul’s head to signify the Lord’s approval of Saul as king over Israel. As confirmation of his appointment, Samuel told Saul that he would encounter three things. He would meet two men near Rachel’s tomb who would tell him about the whereabouts of his father’s lost donkeys. He would meet three men at the oak of Tabor who would give him two loaves of bread which he should accept. Finally, he would encounter a procession of prophets and he would join them in their prophesying as the Holy Spirit came upon him, enabled him, and changed him into a different person. This doesn’t mean that Saul was spiritually regenerated or converted. That concept was still unknown in the Old Testament and his subsequent behaviour doesn’t suggest that is what happened. The Spirit enabled him for the role of king in a similar manner to how the judges were divinely enabled (Jud 6:24; 11:29; etc).

Everything happened as Samuel had prophesied. Saul’s transformation was so stark that people coined the phrase, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” Saul hadn’t actually become a prophet but at that moment he behaved like the prophets around him.

Sometime later Samuel gathered the people of Israel at Mizpah. He reminded them of their foolishness in rejecting God and demanding a king to rule over them. Then using a system of elimination, probably by the casting of lots, Samuel selected the tribe of Benjamin, then the clan of the Matrites, down to Saul the son of Kish. But Saul was nowhere to be found. Only after they enquired of the Lord did God direct them to find Saul hidden among the baggage. Right from his coronation, Saul is shown to shy away from the responsibility of ruling. Saul was brought before the people where his stature was most significant. He stood head and shoulders above everyone. Samuel pointed out that Saul was not like the rest of the people. In fact, he was more like those who threatened Israel, the only others in the Old Testament described as being tall. Yet He was God’s chosen leader and the people enthusiastically shouted, “Long live the king!”

In keeping with the law, Samuel wrote down the rights and duties of the king (Deu 17:18). We don’t know what was written but it likely included Deuteronomy 17:14-17. Immediately valiant men were drawn to Saul. But he was not without his detractors who didn’t support him and didn’t bring him a customary gift. Saul showed restraint and kept silent in the face of their opposition.

Right from the start, Saul didn’t seem ready to be a godly king. What are you doing to develop a godly character? Are you someone God can use to His glory?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Woe to the Pharisees: Matthew 23-24

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake