First Samuel

First Samuel was taught by Dr. James Modlish

 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

 

We have had a number of good things to say about Saul. He was a man of raw natural ability, strong, handsome, apparently a man with great leadership potential. Saul's humility has been pointed out on more than one occasion. But in chapter (13), we see the beginning of the end for "the people's choice." Saul gets impatient with God's man and God's plan. It would be easy to speculate upon what brought about this first recorded error in an already successful career, but suffice it to say, it appears Saul became ambitious. Verse one tells us a couple of years has passed since the beginning of his reign. Saul had learned somewhere along the Way that he was important. How many men has success ruined in history? In God's work, when a man believes he has arrived at a position of importance, he and the position both, stand in jeopardy.

 

OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER:

I. "...ALL THE PEOPLE FOLLOWED HIM TREMBLING ..." - (1-7)

II. SAUL ASSUMES THAT HE CAN ACT IN THE STEAD OF THE PRIEST - (8-10)

III. SAMUEL CONFRONTS SAUL CONCERNING HIS DISOBEDIENCE - (11-16)

IV. THE ISRAELITES AND THE PHILISTINES PREPARE FOR BATTLE AT MICHMASH - (17-23)

 

I. "...ALL THE PEOPLE FOLLOWED HIM TREMBLING..." - (1-7)

We must once again regain our historical bearings. The Kingdom of Israel was in an infantile stage. It wasn't until the reign of Solomon that Israel reached her heights of glory.

Governmentally, Israel was led by a man that had but two years experience. Militarily, the nation had a standing army of but 3000 men (vs. 2), with an arsenal of farming implements (vss. 20,22). Emotionally, the people were driven to hide (vs. 6), desert (vs. 7), and the ones who stayed to fight, were candidates for the national sanitarium (vs. 7). "...followed him trembling." Spiritually, there was no mention of prayer, God, or for that matter anything spiritual on the part of the people. If Saul's spirituality (vs. 12) is the example they had to follow, spiritual bankruptcy was imminent.

Verse (4) may offer a clue to Saul's downfall. Jonathan smote the garrison (vs. 3), yet Saul gets the credit. We made note in an earlier lesson that there is no record of any personal one to one combat on the part of Saul. Some leaders have a way of shifting all the credit given, to themselves. Saul may have developed an "ego" problem.

Note the statistics of the opposition. Here's the Dallas Cowboys challenging the Pop-Warner all-stars. What a mismatch at Michmash. Yes, "...the men of Israel ... were in a straight...", between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Is it any wonder they "were distressed", hid themselves and "followed him trembling"? The Israelites had little or no confidence in God, their king, or themselves. Man's extremities are God's opportunities!

 

II. SAUL ASSUMES THAT HE CAN ACT IN THE STEAD OF THE PRIEST - (8-10)

Samuel was ministering to the people on his circuit (7:16) and had instructed Saul to tarry seven days and he would return to "shew thee what thou shalt do" (1 Sam. 10:8). Saul took things into his own hands. Samuel did not show up when Saul thought he should. With many external pressures possibly clouding his decision making, Saul sees a chance to step into the office of the Levitical priesthood, and offer the burnt offering to God, excusing his disobedience on a "technicality." The story is reminiscent of King Uzziah (2 Chron. 26:16), who burned incense on the altar of incense. A tremendous lesson in obedience can be drawn from these few verses. Note first of all that Saul partially obeyed, he did wait! Saul was looking for the exception, excuse and justification of his actions. After all, Saul was king, why couldn't he do what an insignificant priest could do? After all, were the laws made for the king too? Many leaders not only divert all credit to themselves, they also assume they are above the law. One thousand plus U.S. politicians, have been criminally indicted in the six year period, 1976-1982.

If Saul had only waited. The smoke from the offering is still billowing into the air and here comes Samuel. We all possess varied capabilities of resisting temptation. How often would you have spared the Lord and yourself the grief of sin, if you would have waited another minute ... hour ... day? "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psa. 46:1)

 

III. SAMUEL CONFRONTS SAUL CONCERNING HIS DISOBEDIENCE - (11-16)

No man ever committed a sin without a good excuse Good enough for the man to justify himself. Look at Saul's excuses. First, "I saw that the people were scattered" (vs. 8). Second, "...thou camest not..." Here is a good study in human nature. First, you justify your own actions, and secondly, if they seem to be wrong, blame the other guy. "...their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another...", (Rom. 2:15). Third, the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash. Therefore said I ...", (some famous last words). Fourth, blame God, "I have not made supplication unto the Lord." Saul wants Samuel to believe that he had a real battle with the decision. He wanted Samuel to believe that he, Saul, saw a genuine exception to the law, so "I forced myself" (vs. 12). Eve had some good reasons for eating of the forbidden fruit, (Gen. 3:6); all she wanted was to be like God, what's wrong with that?

Samuel's not fooled, for a moment. "Thou hast done foolishly" (vs. 13). Saul, in turn, loses an opportunity to be included in the Messianic line (vs. 13). Saul is guilty of an inflated ego, impatience, lying, and willful disobedience. Sin usually comes into one's life by the truckload.

The phrase, "The Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart," is often misunderstood. Many Bible critics cite this phrase, in reference to David, in error or inconsistent. The reasoning goes like this David was an adulterer and murderer; God chose David; therefore David had a heart like his own, that of an adulterer. The phrase, in context, means God, in his heart, chose David before he ever ascended to the throne. David was God's heart's choice!

 

IV. THE ISRAELITES AND THE PHILISTINES PREPARE FOR BATTLE AT MICHMASH - (17-23)

The Philistines begin their battle maneuvers intending to gain revenge for the defeated garrison at Geba (vs. 3).

The Philistines were not foolish. In an attempt to enforce an Old Testament form of "Gun Control" they had removed all the smiths from the land of Israel (vs. 19), "Lest the Hebrews make them swords and spears." The Israelites were out manned, outgunned, but what are these to our God? The Philistines had even cornered the market on sharpening their farming implements. The Israelites have never been afraid to fight against overwhelming odds. The history of the nation establishes this as fact. God has placed within the Jew an extra special dose of self preservation.

Saul and Jonathan were the only two men that possessed weapons (vs. 23). There certainly appears to be no shortage of human courage on their parts. Take a look at Jonathan in (14:1-6)!

 

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