CENTRAL THOUGHT
Discharge of God’s assignment demands due diligence.
TEXT: 1 SAM.8:1-22.
INTRODUCTION:
Samuel had done everything to distinguish himself as a leader of God’s people. He served under the priest Eli and witnessed the calamity that befell that family. He saw the terror of God visited upon the Philistines when they seized the ark of God. At the height of his glory, he was well known and sought after throughout Israel. He held courts in Bethel, Gilgah and Mizpeh and had his residence in Ramah. He brought reformation and led the nation in repentance back to God.
But to the dismay of this divine general, his sons failed to follow his footsteps in serving God, and rather went after the pleasures of life. This became one of the premises on which the Elder’s demand for a king. Though Samuel was not happy with the request, he was instructed by God to oblige them. Taking instructions from God, Samuel was able to anoint the first king of Israel, in the person of Saul, the son of Kish.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this lesson are to:
- Identify the qualities of the king chosen by the people.
- Explain the people’s reaction to Samuel’s warnings.
- Explain how Saul eventually met Samuel.
- Discuss Saul’s reaction to Samuel’s information.
- Discuss how Saul was anointed king over Israel by Samuel.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) HOW DID SAMUEL REACT TO THE ELDER’S DEMAND FOR A KING ? 1 SAM.8:6-9.
The demand for a king indicated Samuel in two ways, namely, his age and the lifestyle of his children. Samuel was displeased and probably surprised. He felt it was a slight on him and a vote of no confidence from the people for whom his whole life was pledged. However, he still went to pray and took time out to seek God’s direction. God encouraged him not to be too personal about the matter, as it was also an affront on His authority. God directed him to accede to their request, but that he should also pre-inform them of the implications.
QUESTION 2) WHAT WERE THE QUALITIES OF THE DESIRED KING BY THE PEOPLE AND WHAT WAS GOD’S WARNING?
From the angle of the Elder’s, they needed a king whose physical build would be intimidating, and whose voice will thunder. His royalty will be physically evident, and he must be an excellent warrior. The qualities desired by the Elder’s of their king were all about outward and visible traits. They forgot God in their estimation, and just wanted to be like other nations whose kings adorned dreadful features.
However, God warned them through Samuel, that a human king would bring along unforeseen inconveniences they never imagined. Prominent among the inconvenience were curtailment of their freedom, conscription for military duties. Provision of forced labor through the children, taxation of their harvests and abduction of their daughters into forced marriages. All these came with the kingship and the associated fanfare of the royal family and college of advisors.
QUESTION 3) DESCRIBE THE ENCOUNTER BETWEEN SAUL AND SAMUEL, AND STATE THE LESSON TO NOTE. 1 SAM 9:1-14.
The encounter between Samuel and Saul was circumstantial and seemed to have been arranged by God. Saul was out in search of some missing family domestic animals when providence led him to the presence of the Seer in the community. That Seer was Samuel, who had been informed by God of the visit of the young man, Saul. Saul got more than he bargained for when Seer went beyond the missing animals to talk about leadership for the people of Israel. He was emphatically told that the animals had been found and that more importantly, the desire of Israel was upon him. He was hosted to a feast and sessions of familiarizations. He was first privately anointed king over Israel before public presentation and enthronement. An important lesson of foregoing is that God also uses circumstances and natural occurrences to order our steps.
QUESTION 4) WHAT WAS THE REACTION OF SAUL TO SAMUEL’S MESSAGE ON KINGSHIP?
Saul was reluctant at jumping on the good news. He felt unqualified by every known standard. His tribe Benjamin was not to bear rule being the last child of Jacob, his immediate and extended family were not nobles but ordinary. It took a long discussion, laced with signs and wonders, along with an unusual impartation of the Spirit of God for Saul to be convinced.
QUESTION 5) HOW DID SAMUEL DISCHARGE HIS ASSIGNMENT OF ANOINTING THE NEW KING?
The full execution of the assignment was done by Samuel in three stages. First there was an engagement of Saul in a meaningful discourse when they first met. Then there was a private anointing and spiritual impartation. The last stage was the public presentation, charge, and enthronement before the elders of Israel. Samuel operated under the direction of God to identify Saul. He hosted him to a feast and finally presented him to the people.
QUESTION 6) WHAT LESSONS DO WE LEARN FROM THE WAY SAMUEL HANDLED THE WHOLE PROCESS?
Personally, Samuel was not happy with the demand by the Elders for a king. But he fully submitted to the clear directives of God. He allowed God to dictate every step he took until he accomplished the task. We must learn to submit our personal preferences to God’s will. We must be attentive to get details of God’s directives so that we don’t fall into the error of presumption. Samuel took time to initiate Saul into the call of God privately, before the public presentation. Those in position to assign responsibilities from God to his children must be tactful in relaying God’s message.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
Situations often arise in real life where our preferences conflict with God’s choice. We are to prayerfully follow God and let Him lead all the way. Furthermore, when we are on a difficult mission for God, we must not resort to carnal means to fulfil such duty. It is profitable for us to approach divine issues with wisdom and in a systematic manner.
Memory Verse:
1 SAM. 8:21
“ And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of God”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MONDAY: LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE MEN. Matt.5:16.
TUESDAY: I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD, John 10:11.
WEDNESDAY: NOT SLOTHFUL IN BUSINESS, Rom. 12:11.
THURSDAY: WHERE NO COUNSEL IS, THE PEOPLE PERISH. Prov.11:14.
FRIDAY: SUFFER NOT THY MOUTH TO CAUSE THEY FLESH TO SIN. Eccl. 5:6.
SATURDAY: WHO SHALL ASCEND INTO THE HILLS OF THE LORD? Ps 24:3