QT 11/30/2022 1 Sam 16:1-14, Your heart is more important than your hair

1 Samuel 16:1 (ESV) —

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.”

…

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) —

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.”

…

1 Samuel 16:13–14 (ESV) —

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.

 

NOTE: The previous passage had said that God regretted (or grieved) over Saul's selection as King. It is okay to grieve, but there comes a time when we need to let go of our grieving and move on with life. Samuel was not letting go. Grieving is important, but so is living.

 

Verse 7 is a wonderful difference between how the world views people and how God views people. We spend too much time focusing on our outward appearances -- things that only go bad with time, whereas the inner spirit is something that can become more beautiful with time as we grow deeper in the Lord.

 

Verses 13-14 seem troubling, but God judging Saul for his disobedience should not surprise us. Saul could have chosen to seek after God, but he never takes any real step toward God. The evil spirit is more of Saul's choice by his actions than God's choice.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I spend more time on my appearance toward outsiders, or my heart toward God?
2. I stand before a mirror each morning, but do I stand before the mirror of God (James 1:22-25) every morning?

 

James 1:22–25 (ESV) — 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray we would take more concern with our heart than our hair. I pray our love for you with be portrayed in our words and actions. We need to make you the true priority in our life, not just lip-service as the priority.

QT 11/29/2022 1 Sam 15:22-35, Standing up for truth

1 Samuel 15:22–35 (ESV) —

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.

…. 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.

 

NOTE: There are three interesting things that appear in this passage. First is the classic distinction between religion and relationship. God is not appeased by the work you do or the things you give or the sacrifices you make for the kingdom. God wants people who obey, and not in religious things, like what you eat or drink, or what days you observe, but the heart. God wants obedience in the things closer to the heart -- gossip, sexual immorality, anger, lying, and theft. The worst sin is rebellion, and that is when we are our own God -- where we make our own decisions for life -- where we are like Adam and Eve who listened to Satan's temptation of being their own god.

 

The second interesting item is that Saul has been fiercely declaring his innocence, and then finally he admits his sin. And he gives a reason, "I feared the people and obeyed their voice." He chose the voice of the world over the voice of God. He wanted to be acceptable in the eyes of the world. Do we do that in our language and jokes? Is it more important to be seen as acceptable versus weird because we chose to obey God and be different?

 

Lastly, Samuel says that God is not like man in that he does not regret, yet the section begins (verse 10) and ends with God regretting. The word, nacham, means to regret; to be sorry; to console oneself; to comfort; to change. So, in a play on the use of the word, God is grieved (nacham) at the beginning and the end for Saul, but he never changes (nacham) his mind. We have some words like that where the meaning is understood in the sentence, not in the letters (e.g. rose, leaves). The phrase shows God care for us, but also reveals in a sense his attribute of sovereignty. He knew from the beginning that the King would come from the line of Judah, not Benjamin, but he also wanted to teach people through a bad example of a king.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I obey God in the matters of the heart? Or do I gloss over the issues and focus on externalities?
2. Am I more concerned about how the world views me or how God views me? Do I hide my faith?

 

PRAYER: Father, I know I struggle with the heart rules. I gloss over my "little sins" which are not little at all. I get bullied by the world. I don't like to stand out. Forgive me for my fears. Help me to have the courage to stand up for truth.

QT 11/28/2022 1 Sa, 15:10-21, We need to hear God or our sin will close our ears to truth

1 Samuel 15:10–21 (ESV) —

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.”

 

NOTE: Saul failed in many ways. He did not obey the Lord. In herem warfare, everything needed to be destroyed. It was the sin of Achan repeated. God's grieving (regret ESV) is the same word used to describe God's response to the people of the earth before the flood. In essence, he was pained. God did know the choices Saul would make, and they serve as an example of how not to obey God. Why is that important? Because many people think partial, even 99 percent obedience is good enough for God. No, He demands 100 percent obedience in his commands. The commands given to Saul were not difficult. Obeying the whole law is in fact impossible and is the reason Jesus died on the cross for us. But Saul could have done what God ordered. And finally, Saul's placement of a statue honoring his victory shows where Saul's heart was. Saul started out humble, but his lack of a relationship with God led him into deeper and deeper pride and deceit.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I close enough to God to hear the Holy Spirit's still small voice tell me when I am in error?

 

PRAYER: Father, I need you. I am as susceptible to the games Saul played as anyone. I can justify most things but that does not make them right. Speak to me and show me my errors. Open my eyes to your truths.

QT 11/25/2022 1 Sam 15:1-9, Tests reveal the true me

1 Samuel 15:1-4,7–9 (ESV) —

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.’ ”

… 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.

 

NOTE: This is a difficult passage, but for God it has been almost 400 years since the event, and apparently Amalekites had neither confessed their sin nor turned from their idol worship in that time. God gave the Amorites, people of the land, 400 years as well.

 

Genesis 15:16 (ESV) — And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

 

The command is a test. Samuel has already prophesied that the kingdom would be taken from Saul. I'm not sure what would have happened if Saul had passed the test. And then again, maybe the test was not for God, since he already knew Saul's heart, but rather for Saul -- to reveal to Saul his own sinful heart. Saul was given a command -- destroy everything. He saw all the riches of the Amalekites, "he best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good" -- and he chose the things of the world over the command of God. Would God had not given him, Saul, so much more if he had only obeyed? Saul chose what he could see, the here, now, and temporal, rather than the future unseen hope he could have in God. Saul does repent in tears, but it is not a true repentance. It is a repentance of "being caught."

 

PONDER:

1. What am I really living for -- God or things?
2. God tests us to show us our true heart. Do I truly recognize how evil my heart is?

 

PRAYER: Father, David used to pray:

 

Psalm 139:23b–24 (ESV) — 23b … Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

 

David knew his heart. He did not want sin to separate him from his relationship to God. We are all sinners in daily need of cleansing and renewal. Father, forgive me for my sin. Give me grace to live this day for you.

QT 11/24/2022 1 Sam 14:47-52, We need to seek God's solutions, not ours

1 Samuel 14:47–52 (ESV) —

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.

 

NOTE: Saul had every reason for success. This summary of his life early in the story shows us God's work in his life. The next chapters show the reasons Saul's kingship was taken away.

 

But, he had victories. He had sons and daughters. His family was blessed by his position. He grew his army so that it became strong. Although, he never had peace. David achieved peace against the enemies around him, but later David did not have peace within his family. Solomon was the benefactor of the peace David established. Saul was successful, more so than any judge preceding him, but Saul fell short. And what Samuel promised happened, Saul conscripted the best men for his army.

 

When we are fighting against God and not with God, we will never have peace. We may appear fine on the outside, but inside we are fighting demons. Later Saul would experience these fits of demonic attacks. Saul looks successful, but he never experiences the true peace of soul as David would. Saul was really fighting against God all his life. David would see troubles, but David experienced peace, because he was in the will of God (most of the time).

 

PONDER:

1. Peace happens when we get on the same page as God. What page are God and I on? The same page or different pages.
2. How is my peace? Is my life characterized by peace?
3. Where am I fighting God, demanding my own results?

 

PRAYER: Father, Saul was a fool, not because of his achievements, but because he did not seek you. There is so much he could have done if he had put his trust in you. But he is an example of worldliness and how it can ruin a life. His life, by the middle of his reign, would be characterized by almost schizophrenic behavior, brought about by a lie that he could never overcome. There is balm in Gilead. There is healing in the savior, Jesus. May I always stay close to you.

QT 11/23/2022 1 Sam 14:43-46, We need God in everything

1 Samuel 14:43–46 (ESV) —

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.

 

NOTE: I think Robert Bergen's comments on this passage and the preceding passages are the best I have read.

 

"Taken as a whole, 14:24–45 is a stunningly effective critique of all monarchies. This passage showcases a spectrum of frailties and follies that beset monarchies. Using Saul, Israel’s first monarch, as an example, the narrative demonstrates that kings could lead Israel into battle, but they could also diminish a nation’s capacity to achieve victory. Kings could build altars for their subjects to sacrifice to God, but they could not guarantee an encounter with the divine. They could utter powerful words—curses and oaths—but lacked the power to bring about their fulfillment." (Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, p. 161). Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

 

A monarch is still a human being, even if he is anointed by God. I would argue that there has never been a good monarchy, although there have been good kings at times in many monarchies. But most monarchies seem to have a majority of bad kings. Lord Acton, an English Catholic, wrote the famous line: 

 

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men…"

 

Lord Acton would seem to argue that there has never been a good king -- well I suppose the definition of good would need be elaborated. The point is that we are all sinners and no King is any less a sinner, and probably more a sinner (if such a thing exists in God's eyes) because of the greater temptations.

 

The bottom line, good leadership needs God's help. From day one, we need to train our own children, that we always need God's help. And we need to set that example and work on it as well -- we need God's help in all things. We are not self-sufficient.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I bring God into aspects of my day -- my decisions, my frustrations, my worries, my beginnings (the first thing in the morning)?

 

PRAYER: Father, I confess that I need you all the time. I don't act like. I act self -sufficient. I forget you, that you are always there. I need you and I confess I have failed in bringing you into all aspects of my life. Today, as I face a couple of contractors, I pray for you wisdom and guiding as I hear their pitches.

QT 11/22/2022 1 Sam 14:24-30, Religious people only care about the rules

1 Samuel 14:24–30 (ESV) —

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.”

 

NOTE: Everything about Saul smacks of religion. He takes the ark into battle. He puts an oath on the soldiers, probably in order to curry favor with God. He acts as a person who is religious, but doesn't truly know God. The Holy Spirit came on him once, but never again. No wonder the people repeated the phrase, "Is Saul among the prophets?" It was intended as a slur or joke. Even Jonathan who defends his father quite bravely in discussions with David, disagrees with his actions. He uses a peculiar word  for "troubled the land" which specifically is used of Achan (it is even his name). And Jonathan feels the victory could have been so much greater without the oath. In a sense, he was calling his father foolish. Religious people like rules. And they get upset when people don't obey the rules. They don't really have hearts toward God, but they have hearts toward rules, and consequently they are blind to their true spiritual condition because they think being good and following the rules makes them a Christian (or a believer in God in Saul's case).

 

PONDER:

1. In my faith do I live by rules or by the heart?
2. Is my relationship with God rule-based or heart-based?

 

PRAYER: Father, we cannot curry your favor in any way. If we are born again, we are greatly loved because of Jesus. There is no greater love we can experience, except to be in your presence.

 

Father, I love these times in the morning. I love hearing you speak through your word. I thank you from being spared from rule-based living, and experience that deeper relationship with you.

QT 11/21/2022 1 Sam 14:16-23, Start with God

1 Samuel 14:16–23 (ESV) —

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.

 

NOTE: Saul is like the Jewish mercenaries who changed sides depending on how the battle is going. At first, Saul seems to be following the law, which was to include a priestly address.

 

Deuteronomy 20:4–5 (ESV) — 4 for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’ 5 Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.

 

But in the middle of the function, Saul interrupts it in order to jump into a battle that appeared to be going very well. One poor decision leads to others, as we will see later when another poor decision on his part results in a victory could have been much greater.

 

1 Samuel 14:30 (ESV) — 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.”

 

When we see things through worldly eyes only, we miss out on the greater victory. Saul's reign is a story of missed opportunities and a religious attitude that completely missed out on the good that God could have given.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I seek God first or my own thoughts and plans first?
2. When do I involve God in my decisions? At the start or when they start to collapse?

 

PRAYER: Father, I need to bathe my life and decisions in prayer. I need to remember to go to you first, not second.

QT 11/18/2022 1 Sam 14:1-15, Making a difference

1 Samuel 14:1–15 (ESV) —

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, . . .

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.” . . . 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.

 

NOTE: Completely outnumbered … technologically inferior … hiding in caves … no leadership -- and it takes two people of faith, and an earthquake from God to rout the entire Philistine army. When you truly believe that you are doing the right thing, you can move mountains (especially when God adds an earthquake). I'm sure Saul was despondent as he hid in the cave. He had almost every warrior near him as well. My guess is that he wasn't trying to figure out how to win, but how to escape without losing his life. He had a good son, Jonathan. Many times good kids can come from bad parents and bad kids can come from good parents. We all have free will. We are not determined by our parents, but we are certainly helped in our direction toward life. Jonathan believed in God even if his father's faith was superficial. Jonathan would have made a great King -- he was another David, but from the line of Benjamin.

 

We can all be David's and Jonathan's, it starts with a relationship built upon TWO-WAY communication. You cannot have a one-way relationship with God or with anyone. You need to hear God daily from his word and you need to talk to God daily from what you heard from his word. If you don't listen to your spouse when you talk, do you really have a relationship? It is the same way with God.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I have a relationship with God, or do I just have a religion?

 

PRAYER: Father, I want to be a David or a Jonathan -- a person who loves you and wants to do the right thing. Lead me and guide me through your spirit who lives in me. Change me to be more like your son. Teach me what it means to truly walk by faith.

QT 11/17/2022 1 Sam 13:15b-23, Insurmountable pain

1 Samuel 13:15b–23 (ESV) —

15b 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.

 

NOTE: The Israelites were outnumbered greatly by the Philistines. They were surrounded as the three companies essentially cut them off from reinforcement. They had no weapons, since blacksmiths were denied them. So, they were technologically inferior to their enemy. They were economically at a disadvantage as well -- the Philistines charge them an exorbitant price just to maintain their agricultural tools. And their King really had no trust or faith in God. He did things in his own strength. This was a bad situation, although not as bad as Israel had faced in the past or would face again in the future.

 

We all face these situations in life. It may not be as bad as a situation in the past, nor one we will face in the future, or even something another has gone through, but at the moment it feels overwhelming and incredibly painful. There is an axiom, and I need to figure out how to write it out better, but it is this: Current pain hurts a lot, and almost always seems like an insurmountable mountain independent of the actual degree of pain. Maybe a better axiom: There is no such thing as degree of pain when you are hurting.

 

In tomorrow's passage, we see how God works in a situation where the leader does not know him.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I realize how I respond when pain hits?
2. Do I have any "Ebenezers" to remind me of God's help in times past?
3. How is my faith measured when life hurts a lot?

 

PRAYER: Father, I know I have not always responded well to pain. Even now, my constant neck pain is debilitating. I worry it will get worse. It is my thorn in the flesh for which I need your strength. I don't know what the future holds, but I do want to help people as they deal with insurmountable pain. Give us grace and mercy to live for you.

QT 11/16/2022 1 Sam 13:8-14, It's the heart that counts

1 Samuel 13:8–14 (ESV) —

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.”

 

NOTE: The passage says "he waited seven days," but this was not a western country, and seven days did not mean seven-24 hour periods. There were two sacrifices each day (Num 28:1-6). Samuel still arrived on time for the twilight sacrifice. Saul failed in a number of ways. He did not wait the whole  day. He took upon himself the role of the priest, the mediator between man and God. He also let circumstances force his hand. The scattering of the army, Samuel's apparent delay, and the enemy at hand. He represented Israel as King and as such, much was required of him. David was not perfect either, but David had the right heart. Apparently, Saul had no heart for God or a desire to obey God. He was the classic religious person who goes through the motions but they mean nothing to him.

 

PONDER:

1. What motivates me in my faith? Is it a heart for God, or a sense of duty (which is really nothing but works-based salvation attempt)?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for rescuing me from the religion of my youth. I did not know you, and if I thought about it, I did not really care. Thank you for opening my eyes and transforming my life with the truth of the gospel.

QT 11/15/2022 1 Sam 13:1-7, Getting ready for the big decisions

1 Samuel 13:1 (ESV) —

1 Saul lived for one year and then became king, and when he had reigned for two years over Israel,

 

NOTE: Most commentators believe this text is corrupted, and that may well be. One possibility is that Saul lived for about one year after his official anointing without a general agreement from the people. We find him farming after that event. Then after the battle over the Ammonites, he is truly king (by all the people) and rules for two years until the next incident occurs (which actually removes his anointed position).

 

1 Samuel 13:5–7 (ESV) —

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.

 

NOTE: Until now, Saul had been very successful in his battles. But the whole Philistine army was now opposing him. It seems unlikely that there were 30k chariots. In Isaiah, the word is clearly translated riders in pairs, although that would not explain the additional 6k horseman. Most likely, there were 3k chariots and 6k horseman. Another possibility is - this is as the story was told - and explains the fear of Israel. The area is mountainous and very difficult to see far. In any case, everyone was frightened and people were beginning to flee. It is a seemingly impossible situation, not unlike many other situations in the history of Israel. Gideon probably had less spiritual maturity than Saul (if that is possible), but he still trusted God. This is Saul's moment that will determine his destiny. Sometimes you only get one chance when the issue is large and public. A fall from grace (in the eyes of people) is usually permanent. It seems unfair, but leaders, pastors, elders, and rulers (even celebrities) are held to a higher standard.

 

PONDER:

1. It is important to be ready for those big moments, and it starts in the little things. How am I doing in the little acts of obedience?

 

PRAYER: Father protect me from the schemes of the evil one. I need to obey in the little things as well as the big themes. I want to be a witness for Jesus that draws people to Jesus.

QT 11/14/2022 1 Sam 12:11-25, What to do when government fails you

1 Samuel 12:13–15 (ESV) —

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.

1 Samuel 12:20–25 (ESV) —

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.”

 

NOTE: The King was not the best choice, but even when the process / government changes, the foundation remains the same. God calls us to obey, not rebel against his word, and to worship him and not things. In the old covenant, there was a promise of material blessing (things would go well), which is not true in the new covenant. There is a promise of eternal things (crowns and rewards) for a life of obedience in the new covenant, but no promise that earthly life will be easy. The covenant changed between the testaments, and governments change between geographies.  But the foundational things remain for us as well: obey his word, do not rebel, and worship God (not the world).

 

Our country started out well, but no longer follows its original ideals. Corruption, controlled speech, a lack of morality, and ideas in opposition to God's design rule the government and political landscape. It will destroy itself from within soon. 

 

PONDER:

1. What is our response to a failing government? It is the same thing that Israel was told to do when its government changed: Obey his word, do not rebel against God, and worship God (not the things of the world). And Jesus adds two more items: make disciples and be a witness for Jesus.

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to keep my focus on the things that are truly important in life. Help me to see where and how you can use me to make a difference. Help me to obey, to not rebel, to worship you, to make disciples, and to be a good witness.-

QT 11/11/2022 1 Sam 12:8-10, Whose will is important?

1 Samuel 12:8–10 (ESV) —

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.’

 

NOTE: As Samuel retires from rulership and transfers those responsibility to the new King, Saul, he reminds Israel of their history. In many ways, this is a preview of Saul's failure and David's success. Saul did not cry out to God as Israel had done in the past when judged for their sin. There are two passages in the OT where Saul inquires of the Lord, and in both cases the passage records that the Lord did not answer. Why did not God answer Saul? Maybe because Saul never really sought God, he only tried to use God to achieve his purpose. He was not interested in the Lord's will. Saul's interest was in God helping him to achieve his own will. We are a lot like that. Our interest is in our will, not the will of God. Our prayers are about us, not about knowing God.

 

PONDER:

1. When I pray, what am I really praying about?
2. Does God answer my prayers? Maybe there is a reason.

 

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for my focus on self. I do desire your will in my life. I do desire your will on earth. I know that you are in charge. Everything I see happening is according to your will. Help me to acknowledge your control and submit to it.

QT 11/10/2022 1 Sam 11:1-15, Staying on course

1 Samuel 11:5–7 (ESV) —

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.

1 Samuel 11:11–15 (ESV) —

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.

 

NOTE: Knowing the end of the story, that is, Saul's failure to be a king devoted to the Lord, it is tempting to try to find the seeds of failure in the early passages. And yet, everything is very positive. Saul, already anointed King, is working in his fields. Saul calls the nation to battle to save a small town that actually deserted the larger Israel (Judges 21:5). His division of the troops produces a multi-front attack. After the victory, he does not seek vengeance on his detractors. He gives God the credit for the victory (11:13). All-in-all, it would be hard to find a better sequence of events to start off the reign of a godly king. So how does Saul start so well and fail so badly? And what does that mean to us? Can we lose our "first-love?" Can we grow complacent in our service to God? Do we start to lean on our status instead of trusting in God?

 

PONDER:

1. Do I still trust God? Has my heart grown a little cold with the years?
2. When things don't go my way (such as world events), do I begin to doubt God's control? Am I really seeking God's will to be done, or my comfortable life to be secured here on earth?

 

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for thinking how things should turn out in life. As the song goes,

 

This world is not my home, I'm just a passing thru,

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;

The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door,

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

 

O Lord, you know I have no friend like you,

If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?

The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door,

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

From <https://namethathymn.com/hymn-lyrics/viewtopic.php?t=5121>

 

I know the words, but sometimes I seek my joy in the wrong things. Protect my heart from this world. Let me use the things of the world for good, but not to fall in love with them.

QT 11/8/2022 1 Sam 10:20-24, We need to turn to God in the midst of trials

1 Samuel 10:20–24 (ESV) —

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!”

 

NOTE: While it was not God's original plan, it was God's plan for Saul to rule Israel. He is one of only three persons to rule the entire country. He was anointed. God clearly chose him. The people stood behind me. But the story reminds me of a movie where no one wants to be sheriff, they are just looking for anyone stupid enough to standup to the outlaws. Samuel's first job is to defeat or defend the country against the Philistines. There is a little he can do until he shows progress on the first order of business. And so, despite the hoopla, life gets back to normal, as Israel awaits the next attack. Saul lives or dies on the next Philistine attack. He is not a spiritual person. He will try to fight the battle with wits and strength. And there lies his failure. Until he turns to God and waits upon God, everything else will be futile.

 

PONDER:

1. Today had a rough start. I did pray at the beginning of the day, but I forgot to pray once the problems started. We all need to ask that question, do  I pray in the midst of events or only before any events have even started?

 

PRAYER: Father, you blessed the day despite many problems. Still, I needed to turn to you sooner in the day rather than depending on my wit and wiles to get me out of a situation. Forgive me for forgetting. And thank you for providing.

QT 11/7/2022 1 Sam 10:5-9, Leading God's way, in prayer

1 Samuel 10:5–9 (ESV) —

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.

 

NOTE: The passage says that God gave him another heart. That is what happens in the new covenant when the Holy Spirit comes into an individual upon believing in Jesus -- the Spirit changes us. But in the old covenant, the Spirit came and went. And in Saul's case, it did not dwell with him very often. Why did God choose Saul? Was it an object lesson for Israel? Was it to contrast him to David? When David shows up, he is a young man, too small to wear Saul's armor. But David was a man of faith. His faith made him strong. Saul's strength was in himself, his stature, his wealth, and his worldliness. One represents the world's way of leading and the other represents God's way of leading.

 

PONDER:

1. What is my leadership based upon? Do I figure out my problems or do I start with prayer, then proceed with planning?

 

PRAYER: Father, as I plan this activity coming up, I ask for wisdom from you to lead in such a way, that you are glorified. I pray it would be obvious to all involved. Lead me and guide me through these next few days.

QT 11/4/2022 1 Sam 9:18-21, Pursuing the spiritual

Samuel 9:18–21 (ESV) —

18 Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, “Tell me where is the house of the seer?” 19 Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind. 20 As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father’s house?” 21 Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?”

 

NOTE: I think the author, God, is making a huge contrast in his selection of a king. He has chosen a man that fits the worldly description (rich, tall, and handsome), but he is spiritually dull (also a desirable worldly quality). He does not know who Samuel is and cannot recognize him. He comes from a town, Gibeah (10:10, 26), that is best known for committing one of the most heinous sins of Israel during the days of the Judges. If there is any positive item about Saul, is that he appears humble, although that may reflect a lack of perception -- he sees the surface of things, he does not see beyond the surface. In that sense, he is also worldly, he is focused on results not things that are harder to measure, like spirituality or heart.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I worldly or am I spiritual? What is the evidence of my claim? What do I truly value?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray I would live with spiritual eyes and not worldly eyes. I don't want to be what the world desires but what you desire.

QT 11/3/2022 1 Sam9:1-10, My resources or what …

1 Samuel 9:1–2,5-6 (ESV) —

1 There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. 2 And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.

. . .

5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us go back, lest my father cease to care about the donkeys and become anxious about us.” 6 But he said to him, “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go.”

 

Full Passage: 1 Sam 9:1-14 (ESV)

 

NOTE: The author (who is ultimately God) immediately establishes a number of details about Saul. He comes from a rich family. He is a handsome young man. He is physically tall, and therefore imposing. He is, in the eyes of the world, the perfect choice for a king. He would win all the popularity contests. But, compared to his servant, he is unaware of even the most important spiritual knowledge in Israel at the time -- the location of the Israel's judge and spiritual teacher. His servant is the one who knows where Samuel resides. And probably of even more importance, Saul relies on the flesh. After the search is a failure, Saul is ready to go home. The idea of praying or asking for spiritual help is not even on his mind. Granted, he was rich, so what was the loss of a few donkeys? But that exposes the problem with the rich and wealthy, they think they do not need God. Even though Job sought God, in the end, God identified his wealth as one of his problems (Job 40-41). He thought he had the power to do what he wanted, but God showed him the limitations of his power.

 

PONDER:

1. Where do I look first when I have a problem, to my own abilities and resources, or to God?
2. Do I have spiritual literacy, knowledge developed by personal study, or do I have spiritual second-hand information developed by listening to others?

 

PRAYER: Father, to truly know you and experience a true relationship with you, it cannot happen through second-hand experience. It will be surface-y and lacking the depth needed to handle life's problems. Oh, how I pray that the church would meet with you daily in your word first-hand.