THE LORD CHOSES DAVID AS KING

1 Samuel 16:1-23 / Keywords 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

 

Samuel Anoints David

16:1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

David in Saul’s Service

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil[a] spirit from the Lord tormented him.

15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”

17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”

19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.

21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

Footnotes

c. 1 Samuel 16:14 Or and a harmful; similarly in verses 15, 16 and 23

 

1. After rejecting Saul as king over Israel, the LORD sent Samuel to Bethlehem where one of the sons of Jesse would be the next king. Samuel was afraid but God provided a way through a sacrifice. After arriving in Bethlehem, Samuel consecrated Jesse and his sons. When Samuel saw Jesse’s first son, he thought this must be the next king. He was probably tall, handsome, and strong. In fact, Saul likely had a similar physical bearing. But the LORD taught Samuel a lesson. We judge people according to their outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. God looks at our hearts too. What does God see in your heart? Is your heart humble and repentant? Does your heart seek to love and obey God?

 

2. Since God rejected Eliab, Samuel had each of Jesse’s sons pass by. God had not chosen them. Finally, David was brought in from the fields. God had chosen him. Samuel anointed him and from that day on, God’s Spirit came upon David. Israel’s next king was a shepherd boy who was not Samuel’s first choice. But David would later be called a man after God’s own heart (Ac 13:22).

 

3. David was called to serve Saul. Even Saul’s servants recognized that God was with David. David helped Saul feel better by playing the lyre.

 

Prayer Father, create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Ps 51:10).

One Word God looks at the heart 

SAUL REJECTED AS KING OF ISRAEL

1 Samuel 15:16-35 / Keywords 15:22-23

But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”

 

15:16 “Enough!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.”

“Tell me,” Saul replied.

17 Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. 18 And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ 19 Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?”

20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”

22 But Samuel replied:

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

    as much as in obeying the Lord?

To obey is better than sacrifice,

    and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,

    and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,

    he has rejected you as king.”

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord.”

26 But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!”

27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. 29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”

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.” 31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

32 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.”

Agag came to him in chains.[c] And he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”

33 But Samuel said,

“As your sword has made women childless,

    so will your mother be childless among women.”

And Samuel put Agag to death before the Lord at Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. 35 Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Footnotes

c. 1 Samuel 15:32 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.

1. God had anointed Saul as king over Israel. But when Saul was given the mission to destroy the Amalekites, he failed to obey God. Saul did not kill Agag and he kept the plunder instead of destroying it. Saul insisted that he would offer these to God. This was pure arrogance, as if Saul knew what God wanted more than what God himself said he wanted. God does not delight in offerings as much as he delights in obeying him. Disobedience is rebellion, which is like the sin of divination.

 

2. Saul repeatedly rejected God’s word. As a result, God rejected him as king. Saul realized his sin and asked Samuel for forgiveness. He also begged Samuel to go with him to the people to honor him. He was more concerned with appearances than genuine repentance. Samuel went with Saul and put Agag to death. Afterwards, Samuel left for Ramah, and never saw Saul again. The LORD regretted that he had made Saul king.

 

3. Our obedience to the LORD is better than our sacrifices. Jesus said that the one who loves him is the one who obeys his teaching (Jn 14:23). There is a place for sacrifice but express your love for Jesus today by obeying his teaching.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for your word. Please help me to obey you based on your word and to honor you ahead of my own ideas.

One Word To obey is better than sacrifice

LISTEN NOW TO THE LORD’S MESSAGE

1 Samuel 15:1-15 / Keywords 15:1b

…so listen now to the message from the LORD.

 

The Lord Rejects Saul as King

15 Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the Lord. 2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. 3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy[a] all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

4 So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim—two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand from Judah. 5 Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. 6 Then he said to the Kenites, “Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

7 Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt. 8 He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. 9 But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves[b] and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

10 Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: 11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was angry, and he cried out to the Lord all that night.

12 Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.”

13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.”

14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?”

15 Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”

Footnotes

a. 1 Samuel 15:3 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them; also in verses 8, 9, 15, 18, 20 and 21.

b. 1 Samuel 15:9 Or the grown bulls; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.

1. The LORD Almighty opened another opportunity for Saul to listen, repent, and obey. The LORD had anointed Saul king over Israel. Now was the time to listen to the LORD Almighty’s message. This was God’s grace to help Saul. God would punish the Amalekites for their past sins against Israel. God commanded Saul to attack the Amalekites and totally destroy them.

 

2. Saul started well. He mustered a huge fighting force. He warned the Kenites to evacuate from the territory they shared with the Amalekites. Then Saul attacked and pursued the Amalekites all the way to Egypt. But Saul disobeyed the heart of God’s command. He spared the king and everything that was good. God regretted making Saul king because Saul did not truly listen. Samuel prayed all night and then confronted Saul. Saul justified his disobedience. He even built a monument to himself. He was led by his pride, not God’s word.

 

3. Listening to God’s word requires a response of repentance, surrender, and obedience to the LORD. God will not command us to destroy people. But he commands us to love him with all our heart, soul, and strength. We are commanded to follow Jesus and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Will you listen to God’s message, today?

 

Prayer Father, forgive our rebellious and proud hearts. We want nothing more than to obey you.

One Word Listen to God’s word

WHEN SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT IS LOST

1 Samuel 14:24-52 / Keywords 14:29-30

Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”

Jonathan Eats Honey

14:24 Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food.

25 The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. 26 When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.[c] 28 Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.”

29 Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”

31 That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Mikmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted. 32 They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood. 33 Then someone said to Saul, “Look, the men are sinning against the Lord by eating meat that has blood in it.”

“You have broken faith,” he said. “Roll a large stone over here at once.” 34 Then he said, “Go out among the men and tell them, ‘Each of you bring me your cattle and sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against the Lord by eating meat with blood still in it.’”

So everyone brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there. 35 Then Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first time he had done this.

36 Saul said, “Let us go down and pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive.”

“Do whatever seems best to you,” they replied.

But the priest said, “Let us inquire of God here.”

37 So Saul asked God, “Shall I go down and pursue the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel’s hand?” But God did not answer him that day.

38 Saul therefore said, “Come here, all you who are leaders of the army, and let us find out what sin has been committed today. 39 As surely as the Lord who rescues Israel lives, even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan, he must die.” But not one of them said a word.

40 Saul then said to all the Israelites, “You stand over there; I and Jonathan my son will stand over here.”

“Do what seems best to you,” they replied.

41 Then Saul prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, “Why have you not answered your servant today? If the fault is in me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the men of Israel are at fault,[d] respond with Thummim.” Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men were cleared. 42 Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken.

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.”

So Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the end of my staff. And now I must die!”

44 Saul said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you do not die, Jonathan.”

45 But the men said to Saul, “Should Jonathan die—he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God’s help.” So the men rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.

46 Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they withdrew to their own land.

47 After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings[e] of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.[f] 48 He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them.

Saul’s Family

49 Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal. 50 His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of Saul’s army was Abner son of Ner, and Ner was Saul’s uncle. 51 Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.

52 All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines, and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took him into his service.

Footnotes

c. 1 Samuel 14:27 Or his strength was renewed; similarly in verse 29

d. 1 Samuel 14:41 Septuagint; Hebrew does not have “Why … at fault.

e. 1 Samuel 14:47 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint king

f. 1 Samuel 14:47 Hebrew; Septuagint he was victorious

 

1. What should have been a day of celebration and thanksgiving to the LORD for saving the Israelites from the Philistines (14:23), turned into a day of distress, disorder, and near national disaster. This was the result of Saul’s pride and unrepentant heart. Saul had earlier bound the military to a foolish oath. Rather than prepare his men to fight, physically and spiritually, he made them fast. Without exception, anyone who broke the fast would die. This foolish oath was rooted in pride.

 

2. Jonathan recognized that his father had made trouble for the country. Saul repeatedly took matters into his own hands instead of trusting in God and repenting. Saul lost spiritual discernment and led his people into further sin. In their famished and exhausted state, his men ate meat with blood still in it. Saul added to his sin by building an altar. God did not answer when Saul prayed. Saul almost executed his son. These were the fruit of Saul’s lack of faith.

 

3. Life is often hard. How will you lead those who are looking to you? We may not know what to do but God does. Humbly come to God in faith and repentance. He will give wisdom and courage.

 

Prayer Father, I repent for living by fear and pride and not turning to you in faith. Please forgive me and give me wisdom to lead and bless others, instead of making trouble.

One Word Live by faith, not by fear and pride 

JONATHAN’S FAITH IN THE LORD 

1 Samuel 14:1-23 / Keywords 14:6

Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”

 

14:1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

2 Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men, 3 among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left.

4 On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. 5 One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba.

6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”

7 “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

8 Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. 9 If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.”

11 So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” 12 The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.”

So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.”

13 Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him. 14 In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.

Israel Routs the Philistines

15 Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.[a]

16 Saul’s lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions. 17 Then Saul said to the men who were with him, “Muster the forces and see who has left us.” When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there.

18 Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (At that time it was with the Israelites.)[b] 19 While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

20 Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords. 21 Those Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to their camp went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 When all the Israelites who had hidden in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit. 23 So on that day the Lord saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.

Footnotes

a. 1 Samuel 14:15 Or a terrible panic

b. 1 Samuel 14:18 Hebrew; Septuagint “Bring the ephod.” (At that time he wore the ephod before the Israelites.)

1. While Saul stayed on the outskirts of Gibeah, unsure about what to do next, his son Jonathan and his armor-bearer slipped out of the camp. They went to see the Philistine outpost. Unlike Saul, Jonathan was not worried about how many would fight with him. In fact, there were only two of them! Jonathan saw the Philistines as uncircumcised men; that is, they were not God’s people. Jonathan knew that the LORD could save Israel, whether by many or by few. He had faith and courage in God who could do anything. This faith inspired Jonathan’s armor-bearer to also fight.

 

2. Jonathan and his armor-bearer showed themselves to the Philistines. The Philistines told them to come up. This was the LORD’s sign. They killed twenty Philistines. Then God sent a panic into the Philistine camp. The Philistines were confused and turned on each other. Saul had no idea what was going on, but he finally led his men into battle. Other Israelites came out and fought. The LORD saved Israel on that day.

 

3. In your situation, is your faith wholly in God who can do anything? Does your faith and courage also inspire others to put their faith in God? No matter what you are facing, have faith in God today!

 

Prayer Lord, you can save by many or by few. Help me not to be afraid but to have faith in you.

One Word Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving

FEAR AND PRIDE LED TO SAUL’S DOWNFALL 

1 Samuel 13:1-23 / Keywords 13:14

But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’S command.”

 

 Samuel Rebukes Saul

13:1 Saul was thirty[a] years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-[b] two years.

2 Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Mikmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes.

3 Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land and said, “Let the Hebrews hear!” 4 So all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel has become obnoxious to the Philistines.” And the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.

5 The Philistines assembled to fight Israel, with three thousand[c] chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Mikmash, east of Beth Aven. 6 When the Israelites saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. 7 Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.

Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. 8 He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. 9 So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.

11 “What have you done?” asked Samuel.

Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”

13 “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

15 Then Samuel left Gilgal[d] and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin, and Saul counted the men who were with him. They numbered about six hundred.

Israel Without Weapons

16 Saul and his son Jonathan and the men with them were staying in Gibeah[e] in Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Mikmash. 17 Raiding parties went out from the Philistine camp in three detachments. One turned toward Ophrah in the vicinity of Shual, 18 another toward Beth Horon, and the third toward the borderland overlooking the Valley of Zeboyim facing the wilderness.

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!” 20 So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles[f] sharpened. 21 The price was two-thirds of a shekel[g] for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel[h] for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.

22 So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.

Jonathan Attacks the Philistines

23 Now a detachment of Philistines had gone out to the pass at Mikmash.

Footnotes

a. 1 Samuel 13:1 A few late manuscripts of the Septuagint; Hebrew does not have thirty.

b. 1 Samuel 13:1 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text (see Acts 13:21); Masoretic Text does not have forty-.

c. 1 Samuel 13:5 Some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac; Hebrew thirty thousand

d. 1 Samuel 13:15 Hebrew; Septuagint Gilgal and went his way; the rest of the people went after Saul to meet the army, and they went out of Gilgal

e. 1 Samuel 13:16 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts Geba, a variant of Gibeah

f. 1 Samuel 13:20 Septuagint; Hebrew plow points

g. 1 Samuel 13:21 That is, about 1/4 ounce or about 8 grams

h. 1 Samuel 13:21 That is, about 1/8 ounce or about 4 grams

1. Saul had earlier assembled three hundred thousand men to fight the Ammonites (11:8) but when chapter 13 opens, he has only three thousand. He sent the rest home. We do not know why but God would use this to test Saul’s faith. With a thousand men, Saul’s son, Jonathan, attacked a Philistine outpost. In retaliation, the Philistines assembled a vast, innumerable, fighting force. The Israelites saw the Philistines. Many hid or ran away.

 

2. Samuel told Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal. Then Samuel would come and make all the offerings. Saul needed faith in God. But when Saul’s men panicked, he, too, panicked. Saul made the burnt offering. He justified his act by saying that he was seeking God. In fact, Saul’s action was disobedience borne out of fear and pride. Samuel rebuked him. Saul would eventually lose the kingdom. Moreover, Saul’s offering had no effect. He had only six hundred men, the Philistines continued to attack, and his men had no weapons.

 

3. In a critical moment, do you panic or give up or take matters into your own hands? The LORD desires that we surrender our fear and pride to him and express our faith in him with deep trust and obedience to his word.

 

Prayer Father, I repent my fear and pride that lead me to be foolish. Give me faith to obey your word.

One Word Keep the LORD’s commands