Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

Samuel took a vial of oil and anointed Saul and kissed him (not on the lips). He said God had anointed him king. But what proofs to Saul’s spirit could be given? First, the donkeys were home and his father was now worried about Saul. Second, he would meet three men who would give him bread. Third, he will come across a group of people prophesying and would join in. By these, Saul would know that God is with him, God is serious, and Saul IS the anointed king over Israel.

The first sign points to his position. The second sign points to his provision. The third points to power and anointing for service. First we have an encounter with the Lord and we establish a relationship. Then we learn that He is our ONLY source and provision. Then we receive our anointing and power. God always calls, equips (which includes training time), and then sends us out in service. That’s what happened with Samuel (called at 20, trained for 20, served for 47). Jesus did this with His disciples. It’s how He makes sure we have everything we need BEFORE we hit the public circuit. He makes a Way and then ensures we can walk it – if we’ll submit and be obedient.

Samuel told Saul two things. First, when the things happened, he was to do as the occasion demanded. Not to hold back or avoid them. Second, one it was all done he was to go to Gilgal and wait for Samuel. Samuel would be there within seven days to offer peace offerings and sacrifices. Saul left Samuel and as he went God gave him another heart. He was already being equipped.

Things happened EXACTLY like Samuel said they would. He met the men who gave him bread. Some prophets were singing and the spirit of God came on Saul and he joined in. Negatively, some saw it, saw it was out of character for him, and mocked him for it. Saul’s big flaw is that he cared more about what people thought than what God thought. This cannot have been an auspicious start. But when he got home he learned the donkeys WERE found, just like Samuel said. It is not recorded in scripture that Saul went to Gilgal, but when he next meets Samuel in the scripture there is no rebuke, so we assume he did as he was supposed to do. This will be VERY important later.

Samuel called the whole nation down to Mizpah and they came. He again told them that this was a BAD idea, but that since they were hardening their hearts to do it, God was allowing it. They were getting His permission, NOT His best. BUT God was merciful and gracious and promised that if they followed Him with all their hearts, their king and their nation would prosper. Then Samuel called all the tribes past him. Benjamin (the least tribe because they were almost wiped out due to sin – Judges 20-21). Of Benjamin, the least family Matri, the man Kish, and his son Saul. Saul was the chosen king. I’m sure people were speaking out against this. The least tribe? Really? And then not one of the prominent families? Perhaps Saul heard their talk. Saul who wanted to be thought well of by other people. Perhaps his ego couldn’t take it. He hid in the baggage. But God sees us all and told Samuel where he was. Samuel tried to pump Saul up when they had dragged him out, but it was a bit flat. Some people didn’t like this at all. They refused to support him – which he noticed. Others did. God stirred them up and they followed him back to his house. The whole thing was rather anticlimactic. Most of them shouted long live the king, and then Saul went back to his father’s house in Gibeah. A band of valiant men went with him.

“And Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you.”” (1 Samuel 12:1)

One of the reasons that Israel was desperate for a king to lead (meaning save) them was Nahash the Ammonite. He was top dog in the region and they were terrified of him. Sadly, they chose a human to put their trust in instead of God – who had granted them victory EVERY time they had trusted in Him. Nahash came and camped against Jabesh Gilead – the town whose men had been killed by the Israelites and their virgin daughters stolen as wives for the Benjamites (Judges 21). They begged him for mercy, willing to enter into a covenant with them if he spared them. He agreed IF they let him pluck out their right eyes. This would be a reproach to the entire country AND endure they were unable to fight against anyone anywhere (loss of 30% peripheral vision, lack of depth perception, etc). They asked for seven days to ask Israel for help. Nahash was NOT intimidated and gave his permission – Israel had no standing army and no centralised strength. He was confident of victory.

Saul was working the ‘ol homestead and came out of the fields behind his cattle. People in town were weeping. When he found out why, the Spirit of God came strongly on him and he called for fighting men to assemble at Mizpah. He did this by cutting one of his cattle into pieces and sending it out across the land. He accompanied it with a threat of doing the same to their oxen if they did answer the call (perhaps inspired by Jabesh Gilead’s tie with the events of Judges 20). Over 300,000 men from Israel and 30,000 from Judah answered.

Saul sent a message to the besieged city that help was coming. He split his men into three companies and they attacked Nahash’s camp in the morning. They fought until noon. When they were done, the survivors were fleeing in singles, not even in pairs. Soundly defeated. This was a huge victory. Everyone loved Saul. In fact, they remembered not everyone had before and started to look for them to punish them, but Saul forbade it. Water under the bridge. When at the top of the pile with no competition, Saul was merciful and generous.

Samuel called the people to Gilgal and since they were all unified in their desire for Saul to be king, Samuel thought it was a good time to confirm the kingship. He gave a last address – he didn’t publicly speak quite so long again as his role of prophet went on a kind of back burner. He was still active, but the people would be looking to Saul, not Samuel (John 3:30). Samuel said if he had EVER cheated anyone, he’d make good. No one came forward. Samuel gave the highlights of Jewish history. He pointed out again and again it was GOD who saved them and GOD who judged them and GOD who delivered them. He reminded them God wasn’t PLEASED about this king business (Hosea 13:11).

Not obeying God is sin. Period (Romans 14:23). They were in the middle of the driest time in Israel. Usually NO rain at ALL. Samuel therefore called down thunder and rain so that the people would know that God was unhappy with them and their rebellion. And it rained HARD. The people cried out for Samuel to intercede with God for their sin – notice they were sorry, but not repentant. Samuel said he would be sinning himself if he stopped praying for them. He warned them again not to turn aside from following the Lord. Not to turn aside from seeking Him. If they didn’t and did wickedness, then both they and their king would be swept aside.

Summary

Key Players: God, Samuel, Saul, Nahash

Key Themes: Anointing, Kingship, Rescue, Rebellion, Faithfulness

Key Verse(s): 1 Samuel 10:1-8, 20-22, 26-27; 11:1-3, 6-8, 12-13; 12:1-3, 16-17, 23-25