The Life and Times of Samuel, Saul, and David

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The Life and Times of Samuel, Saul, and David

• Lesson 5 Saul Sacrifices His Kingdom
• I Sm. 10 - 1315
• For whatever things were written before were
  written for our learning, that we through the
  patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have
  hope. (Romans 154)
• Now all these things happened to them as
  examples, and they were written for our
  admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have
  come. (I Corinthians 1011)

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Introduction

• Saul becomes the first king of Israel
• Appointed commander over Gods inheritance
  (possessions).
• The Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul. He was a
  new man with a new heart.
• Samuels proclamation and Israels reaction.
• The great deliverances of God were rehearsed.
• Israel was reminded that they rejected God from
  being their king
• Israel was pleased with Sauls physical
  appearance and recognized him as their king, but
  some were not pleased.
• Sauls first battle.
• Ammonites waged war.
• Saul sent pieces of a yoke of oxen throughout
  Israel and threatened them with death.
• Israel responded and Saul was victorious
• Saul is publicly recognized as king.
• Samuels farewell speech.
• No one accused him of wrong.
• Reminded them of their national history
• The people asked for prayer on their behalf for
  the wrong of demanding a king.
• Saul presumptuously sinned in his war against the
  Philistines by offering a sacrifice instead of
  Samuel. Saul was told he would be dethroned.

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Discussion Questions

• What does it mean to be in-charge of God's
  inheritance (I Sm. 101 I Pt. 29-10 52)?
• Anointing involved olive oil poured on a
  persons head to recognize a special position.
• Inheritance means Gods possessions. God has
  blessed us all and we are to be good stewards
  (Mt. 25).
• We are a chosen, special and peculiar people.
  Christians are unique!
• Elders are entrusted with the members of the
  local church and will be held accountable.

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Discussion Questions

• Describe what Samuel predicted and what came to
  pass (I Sm. 102-16)?
• Samuel predicts events for Saul (i.e. donkeys,
  prophets, etc.).
• Evidence of Sauls appointment included meeting
  prophets and recognized as a prophet (106-7,
  9-13).
• Changed from uninspired to inspired. He received
  another heart.
• Saul was assured as the Apostles (Mk. 1311).
• Lesson to Learn Service to God requires us to
  become a new man with a new heart. (Col. 31-17
  II Co. 517 I Pt. 122 Ro. 617)
• A new man means setting our mind on things above,
  putting to death sin, and having new character
  traits.
• We are not to live for ourselves any longer.
• We serve and obey the truth out of love for God
  and others.
• We obey from the heart and serve God in spirit
  and truth.

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Discussion Questions

• How did Saul and the people react to the
  proclamation of Saul being the chosen king (I Sm.
  1017-27)?
• Saul hid himself (1021-22). His humility turns
  to pride (I Sm. 13).
• People recognized his physical appearance (92
  1023). They made a final decision and agreed to
  the arrangement, but not all the people (1024,
  27).
• Samuel reminded Israel of their history
  (1017-18). He made sure they did not
  misunderstand or forget. The deal was documented
  (1025)!
• Side Note Actions of war are either defensive
  or offensive. Defensive is favored over
  offensive, hence conscious objectors.

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson to Learn Qualifications of a leader
  should not center on a person's appearance. (I
  Tm. 3 Ti. 15-16 Jh. 724)
• The character of a nation, community and church
  is a reflection of the individual members.
• Judging according to appearance is deceiving. We
  must judge righteous judgment!
• Wolves in sheeps clothing appear harmless
  False doctrines/teachers - (Mt. 715-20 II Co.
  1113-15). If it sounds too good to be true, then
  it probably is.
• We must test the spirits (I Jh. 41-6). Dont
  believe everything you hear!
• Lesson to Learn Beware Humility can turn into
  pride and arrogance. ( I Co. 1012-13 81 52
  I Pt. 55-6 I Tm. 36)
• An elder is not to be a novice. Experience and
  maturity is required.
• The strong and the weak are tempted. Beware
  Knowledge puffs up.
• We must not tolerate or condone sin (I Co. 5 Ro.
  132).
• God resists the proud and gives grace to the
  humble. (I Pt. 56)

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Discussion Questions

• How did Saul respond to the threat by the
  Ammonites (I Sm. 111-15)?
• Making a covenant was wrong (Dt. 71-2).
• Loss of eyesight disables warriors use of weapons
  such as bow and arrow (111-5).
• Sometimes it takes a major crisis to do what is
  right.
• A yoke of oxen is cut and sent with a threat to
  those who do not go to war (116-7).
• The result was 330,000 soldiers (118).
• Complete destruction of the Ammonites and Saul is
  recognized (1111-15).
• What are the main points of Samuel's farewell
  speech (I Sm. 121-18)?
• You are responsible for your own actions (121).
• Samuel was blameless (122-5).
• Remember the past (126-13).
• The system of reward and punishment (1214-15).
• Sin must be recognized (1216-18)
• Results People requested prayer and
  acknowledged their sin (1219)

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Discussion Questions

• How did Samuel comfort and encourage the people
  (I Sm. 1220-25)?
• Dont be afraid, remember God, follow/serve God
  with all your heart (1220-25).
• God does not expect sinless perfection (i.e.
  David).
• God will not forsake His own (Hb. 135-6).
• Samuel always prayed for Israel and instructed
  them.
• It is good to know someone cares without
  resentment or hidden motives.

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Discussion Questions

• Describe the situation between the Israelites and
  the Philistines (I Sm. 131-7)?
• Saul became king at age 40 and reigned for 32
  years (131).
• Saul drafted men to serve in his army for
  protection (132).
• Jonathan won a battle against the Philistine
  post, but credit was given to Saul since it was
  on his watch (133).
• Philistines saw Israel as an abomination and
  gathered an unnumbered and formable army (135).
• Israel feared and some went AWOL by crossing the
  Jordan, and hiding (136-7).
• Remember
• One man and God is a majority.
• Unbelief occurs when we depend on man more than
  God.
• Apollo 13 mission quote, Failure is not an
  option.
• Instead of facing the problems, they cowardly ran
  (Re. 218).

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Discussion Questions

• What did Saul do wrong (I Sm. 138-14)?
• Saul did not keep the commandment (1313-14)
• Saul waited 7 days, but usurped authority by
  offering a sacrifice (138-10).
• I felt compelled (1312). We do not have to do
  everything.
• Sauls 3 excuses People scattered, Samuel did
  not come, and the Philistines gathered (1311
  Hb. 714).
• There is no excuse for neglect and disobedience!
  
• Lesson To Learn Even though a work can be
  good, it must be lawful. We are responsible for
  our decisions and must respect God's word. (I
  Jh. 21-4 II Th. 17-9 I Sm. 1522 Isa.
  4218-25 Ps. 401-8 I Co. 131-3 Mt. 721-23
  151-9 Ga. 610)
• God will judge those who do not obey the gospel.
• Churches and individuals are responsible (Mt.
  1815-17 I Tm. 516).
• Obedience over ceremony is more important.
  Doctrines of men are vain and lawless.
• Without love, good works profit us nothing.
• We must love God and keep His commandments.

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Discussion Questions Final Thoughts

• What kind of person does the Lord seek? Why? (I
  Sm. 1314)
• God does not seek sinless perfection. Even the
  greatest of faith sinned (Hb. 11).
• God seeks those who will not deny or excuse their
  sinful conduct.
• He expects us to lovingly continue to obedience
  as a way of life.
• Lesson To Learn God seeks people after His own
  heart. (Ac. 1322 Jm. 47-10 Ro. 323 101-4,
  9-10 Ga. 61-5 Jm. 519-20)
• A person after Gods own heart will obey His will
  (Ac. 1322).
• God demands humble and pure hearts.
• Even though all have sinned, the difference is
  Godly sorrow and repentance (II Co. 710).
• We must confess our sins and admit wrong.
• We must care for others and not exhibit
  self-righteousness.
• Being converted means turning/repenting from sin.
  Sin must be covered by the blood of Jesus
  sacrifice.