Notes: June 29, 2008 - 1 Samuel 8 & 9
Bob Feather June 29th, 2008
Meditation Points:
- Like Hophni and Phineas, the rebellious and wicked sons of Eli the priest, Joel and Abiah, sons of Samuel, were in position to take over the office of judge after the death of their father Samuel. But, in both cases, God had other plans (1 Samuel 8:2-5).
- Samuel was displeased when the people demanded a king (6); but God assured him that it was not against Samuel but against the Lord that the people rebelled (7). Before you protest that the people had a legitimate complaint because Samuel’s sons were wicked, remember that they didn’t ask God to regenerate the boys or even to replace them with men after God’s own heart. Instead they demanded a king of their own approval. Isn’t that like today’s voters?
- God agrees to give them a king; but first they must be told that an earthly king will conscript their children and their employees and their animals, and tax their wealth at a rate of 10%. Still the people demanded a king. Earthly men will give anything to have leadership that they approve. Societies haven’t changed, even though tax rates have risen to 40% and more.
- A Benjamite named Saul will be the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 9:1-2). Note his qualifications. Did you see anything about his relationship to God?
- When Saul was ready to go home, his servant suggested consulting a man of God about the lost animals. Saul protested that they hadn’t a gift for the prophet and therefore could not expect an answer (1 Samuel 9:6-7). It is sad that people won’t consult the proper help because they believe that they must pay for God’s services. Isn’t it more sad when people actually MUST pay before preachers and priests will “serve” them in God’s name?
- The day before Saul’s arrival, God had told Samuel that he who would be king was to arrive. When Saul arrived, God voiced His approval of Saul to Samuel (1 Samuel 9:15-17).
- Saul received a royal welcome feast with 30 honored guests (9:22); later he remained behind with Samuel to learn the word of God (1 Samuel 9:27).
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1 Samuel 8:2-5
2Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.
3And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
4Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
5And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
1 Samuel 9:1-2
1Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
2And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
1 Samuel 9:6-7
6And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.
7Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?
1 Samuel 9:15-17
15Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
16To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
17And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.
1 Samuel 9:27
27And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.
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