I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)
1 Samuel 13. “And Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ Saul said, ‘When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord. Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.’ And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you'” (Verses 11-14). Ever felt compelled to “help” God out? He gave clear commands to Saul in the previous chapter, “If you do what I say, your kingdom shall be established” But Saul felt “compelled” to help God out. Why? From Saul’s earthly point of view, God (and His servant Samuel) was not working within Saul’s timetable. Not gonna say I don’t understand this feeling or the drive to help, to fix the situation. The problem is this… we don’t see the whole picture. Our view is limited to what is in front of us, where as God sees the beginning and the end. “No man can fathom what God has done from the beginning to the end” (Ecc 3:11). Without knowing God’s plan Saul formed a plan of his own and it ended up bringing about his end. We are the same, and our decision to “help” can bring about our end. Instead ask God to reveal His plan. He is not hiding His will. Stop when He says, stop. Go, when He says, go. But don’t MOVE without Him.
it seems you know this story pretty well. Could you tell it to me in your terms so that when I read it myself I will be already have a clue as to the setting and storyline of this historical account?
It would be very hard to sum up the entire book of Samuel, but I would be happy to answer questions or point you in the right direction, that you may have as you read.
I was just hoping for an overview of the part of this historical account that we are talking about. If you are looking to help some one here is a good chance to do so.
Okay let’s see. At the time the book of Samuel starts, Israel was slowly moving out of the time of Judges and the Priests and prophets were God’s tool, of giving His direction to the people. All other nations had a king who ruled them. Israel was different because God was their king. So in asking for an earthly king Israel was rejecting God. Saul is choose by God, but he comes at a cost to Israel and God clearly tells them the price. Today I did 1 Samuel 15, and in this chapter God rejects Saul. Because he disobeyed God’s instructions.