Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
11:13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.”
1. Saul does not want to take revenge on those who did not support him.
2. He was out working in the field (v.5) not demanding to be treated as a king.
3. He proved to the Israelites that he had the military expertise to be the king Israel wanted (v.11).
So far so good! But unfortunately good starts don't necessarily good ends.
11:13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.”
1. Saul does not want to take revenge on those who did not support him.
2. He was out working in the field (v.5) not demanding to be treated as a king.
3. He proved to the Israelites that he had the military expertise to be the king Israel wanted (v.11).
So far so good! But unfortunately good starts don't necessarily good ends.
12:20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.
Samuel confronts the Israelites with "all" the evil they had done. Yet he tells them not to be afraid or give up ("turn away") but rather serve the Lord. God was able to cover their sins through the sacrificial system.
12:20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.
Samuel confronts the Israelites with "all" the evil they had done. Yet he tells them not to be afraid or give up ("turn away") but rather serve the Lord. God was able to cover their sins through the sacrificial system.
13:19 Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!”
The Philistines were still more advanced in making iron implements than the Israelites (see Judges 5:8) and were able to restrict Israel's production of weaponry. Yet this didn't stop God enabling Deborah & Barak nor from giving Saul success over the Amorites in 11:11.
Regardless of how poorly resourced we are God is still able to give us victory.
13:19 Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!”
The Philistines were still more advanced in making iron implements than the Israelites (see Judges 5:8) and were able to restrict Israel's production of weaponry. Yet this didn't stop God enabling Deborah & Barak nor from giving Saul success over the Amorites in 11:11.
Regardless of how poorly resourced we are God is still able to give us victory.
14:18 Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (At that time it was with the Israelites).
(From Constable's Commentary) "He [Saul] sought to use God rather than allowing God to use him."
God is not there for my convenience but rather for me to submit to him. Some people never understand God's ways because they are too focussed on having their own way, and expect God to bless their plans.
14:18 Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (At that time it was with the Israelites).
(From Constable's Commentary) "He [Saul] sought to use God rather than allowing God to use him."
God is not there for my convenience but rather for me to submit to him. Some people never understand God's ways because they are too focussed on having their own way, and expect God to bless their plans.
15:30 Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.”
In v.24 Saul's confession is superficial. He calls his sin something he "overlooked", but God saw it as rebellion. Saul put himself in God's place and usurped God's authority.
Saul had a "continuing obsession with external appearances" (Constable).
Also note that Saul refers to the Lord as Samuel's God not his own.
15:30 Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.”
In v.24 Saul's confession is superficial. He calls his sin something he "overlooked", but God saw it as rebellion. Saul put himself in God's place and usurped God's authority.
Saul had a "continuing obsession with external appearances" (Constable).
Also note that Saul refers to the Lord as Samuel's God not his own.