Facing the Big Test - Part 1


Today I shared in the morning service.

A case study in the life of King Saul

1 Samuel 13-14






Introduction

Chapter 8 - The people ask for a king.

A man goes to the greatest prophet alive and asks, "Where's my donkeys?" The prophet answers, "Don't worry, your donkeys have been found, and by the way, you're king of Israel." Samuel takes out a flask of oil and pours some on Saul's head.

Chapter 9-10 - Samuel finds for a King.

A man goes to the greatest prophet alive and asks, "Where's my donkeys?" The prophet answers, "Don't worry, your donkeys have been found, and by the way, you're king of Israel." Samuel takes out a flask of oil and pours some on Saul's head.

Chapter 11-12 – The installation of Saul.

Saul is not only head and shoulders above everyone physically, he's head and shoulders above everyone morally and ethically. He's an exemplary human being.

God's purpose in selecting Saul as king:

  • 1 Samuel 9: 15-16 - Deliver Israel from the enemies (specific purpose)
  • 1 Samuel 12: 24-25 - Fear the LORD and serve him faithfully
Question: What is you purpose in life?
  • 1 Peter 2:9
  • 1 Cor 12:12
  • 1 Peter 4:10
The test:

1 Samuel 13:5 - And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude.

Saul’s army

1. Totally afraid

  • 1 Samuel 13: 6-7 - When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

1. Totally given-up

  • 1 Samuel 10:27 - But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought no presents. But he held his peace.

Reflection

  • How many times we respond in fear
  • We say all kinds of words about the leadership
  • We say no point going along with this group of people

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