Day 122 – Saul Obeys God

• You may have found today’s passages a little hard to get to grips with, as the events they describe require careful reading. Perhaps you didn’t get a clear picture of the events of the story. Take a moment to jot down the basics of what has happened today.
• 1 Samuel 11 describes a battle between Israel and the invading Ammonites. Faced with a dangerous situation (let’s be honest, verse 2 doesn’t make nice reading!), the embattled warriors call on Saul to gather forces and lead the people to a victory , which occures in verse 11.
• That’s a good start, isn’t it? It suggests that Saul is doing well, yeah? He’s doing what kings do, and winning the battles. Great! Well, yes. But… there are concerns for us. Firstly, notice where Saul was in 1 Samuel 11:5. He still seems to be farming! Why? And do you notice that Saul at no point prays, or has any interaction with God about his battle plans or attack until verse 13? After the battle he thanks God, but not before. Does this suggest to you that he is outwardly doing the right things but inwardly his heart is not set for God? Or am I being harsh on Saul? Have a think for yourself based on what you read in the text.
• Take a moment to decide whether (if you are being honest with yourself) you find it easier to be a Christian on the outside than the inside. Some will trust God but find it hard to live it. Some will find they themselves pretending to be a Christian on the outside but struggle in their heart. Are you either? What might you do about it?
• What officially happens at the end of 1 Samuel 11?
• 1 Samuel 12 describes Samuel’s prayer for the nation of Israel and Saul’s leadership over it. What do we learn about Samuel in these verses?
• Samuel is not mentioned as joining in the celebrations in 1 Samuel 11:15. Instead in 12:14-15 he issues a thought-provoking, and stern warning to Saul and the people. What’s he saying?
• 1 Samuel 12:22-25 end our Old Testament reading with comforting, but cautious, words. God is loving and forgiving, but he’s also righteous and just. Spend a moment thanking God for all four of these attributes.
• What does the passage in 1 Timothy teach us about praying for people who have authority over us?

Despite all that God has done for them, and the fact that they were told not to be like the other nations, the people have what they wished for – a king – and that king is, generally speaking, doing what kings do – for now at least!

Kings in the Bible are often depicted as either being good or bad. The Bible authors chose to do this quite openly, and we can do it too when summing up the overall reign of a king. Saul is often seen as bad, David as good, and Solomon as starting good and ending bad.

And – generally speaking – that’s a fair overview.

But of course we can be more subtle about our view of them, and Saul doesn’t get everything wrong, just like David didn’t get everything right. Today we see Saul winning victories and generally obeying God, despite the reservations discussed above.

Be careful that when you’re viewing other people you don’t categorise them too quickly either. It’s easy to pick apart someone for their sin, or put them on a pedestal for their goodness when we only look at one attribute of someone’s character. God, however, knows all our character; all the good and all the bad. Only He is in a position to truly judge!

That said – we’ll find out lots more about Saul next week and some of his poorer choices, as well as meet a newcomer to the scene who is also destined for the throne…