Leader
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The King Men Want, The King God Gives? (1 Sam. 10:17-19, 9:1-2, 10:20-26) Seeking a human king meant rejecting God’s leadership. (1 Sam. 8:7, 10:19) Characteristics of Saul He was from the smallest tribe, and a humble family (1 Sam. 9:21) Yet, he was also the son of a respected father (1 Sam 9:1) He was the tallest in Israel (1 Sam. 9:2) He was handsome (1 Sam. 9:2) He was humble/fearful? (1 Sam. 9:16 & 21, 10:22) He was unique (1 Sam. 10:24) He was not seeking leadership (Was actually seeking lost donkeys!) (1 Sam 9:1-5) (Like we discussed last week, he was going about his everyday business when God chose to intrude upon his life!) He came seeking guidance from a “Man of God” (but got more than he was expecting!) (1 Sam. 9:619) He was anointed/chosen by God (1 Sam 10:1) (see also: Deut. 17:15) God’s rules concerning a king are found at Deut. 17:14-20 He was transformed by the Holy Spirit/Given a new heart (1 Sam.10:6-10) (see also: Jer 24:7 Eze.11:19, 36:26, 1 Cor 5:17) Like Abram (Gen:17) changed to Abraham, made a man with a purpose, a man trusting in God’s promise Like Jacob (Gen. 32) changed to Israel, made a man of courage, prayer, a man trusting in God’s power Like Isaiah (Isa. 6:1-7) cleansed and made a mouthpiece for God, a man with a mission from God Like Simon (hearer) (Matt. 16) changed to Peter (rock) a strong and bold disciple, led by the Spirit to proclaim the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ Like another Saul (Acts 9) changed to Paul, likewise a strong and bold disciple, led by the Spirit to proclaim the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ, to Jew and Gentile He prophesied, as a sign that God was with him (1 Sam. 10:6, 10-12) (see also: Num. 11) He recognized that it was the Lord who delivered Israel from the Ammonites and not him (1 Sam. 11:13)
As with many Christians, Saul’s initial devotion to and trust in God was strong, but over time it waned. As a result, in time, God’s Spirit departed from Saul (or vice versa) (1 Sam. 28:15) God’s choice not approved/trusted by all men (1 Sam. 10:27) But he did not denounce them nor seek vengeance against them, but instead exercised grace and humility towards them (1 Sam. 10:27, 11:13) Valiant men were inspired by God, to support His choice (1 Sam. 10:26) Back to Mizpah, place of the Ebenezer “stone of help” When Jesus came as the “King of the Jews,” He was no Saul. He did not have a striking appearance, the sort which people find attractive. Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him (Isaiah 53:1-3). His followers, and even His closest disciples, wanted Jesus to be a king like Saul. But Jesus did not come to cast off Roman rule, but to give His life as a ransom for many. He came to a sinful world, to bears the penalty of wicked men, so that they might have their sins forgiven and become the adopted sons of God. Jesus is the kind of king many reject today. They would like a king who is more like Saul. Saul was God’s first king, and in the beginning he was a good king. But there is really only one great king, that being Jesus, who, though divine, humbled himself to born as a man, lived a sinless life, was crucified for our sins, was raised from the dead on the third day and who now sits at the right hand of Our Father in heaven. This is the king God has given us and the king whose return we anxiously await.
As with many Christians, Saul’s initial devotion to and trust in God was strong, but over time it waned. As a result, in time, God’s Spirit departed from Saul (or vice versa) (1 Sam. 28:15) God’s choice not approved/trusted by all men (1 Sam. 10:27) But he did not denounce them nor seek vengeance against them, but instead exercised grace and humility towards them (1 Sam. 10:27, 11:13) Valiant men were inspired by God, to support His choice (1 Sam. 10:26) Back to Mizpah, place of the Ebenezer “stone of help” When Jesus came as the “King of the Jews,” He was no Saul. He did not have a striking appearance, the sort which people find attractive. Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him (Isaiah 53:1-3). His followers, and even His closest disciples, wanted Jesus to be a king like Saul. But Jesus did not come to cast off Roman rule, but to give His life as a ransom for many. He came to a sinful world, to bears the penalty of wicked men, so that they might have their sins forgiven and become the adopted sons of God. Jesus is the kind of king many reject today. They would like a king who is more like Saul. Saul was God’s first king, and in the beginning he was a good king. But there is really only one great king, that being Jesus, who, though divine, humbled himself to born as a man, lived a sinless life, was crucified for our sins, was raised from the dead on the third day and who now sits at the right hand of Our Father in heaven. This is the king God has given us and the king whose return we anxiously await.
