Milo

SHEPHERD AND SAVIOUR
1 Samuel 16–17

“I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel” (1 Sam. 17:45).

When the obstacles we face seem overwhelming, it helps to remember the young shepherd boy, David, whose faith gave him courage to face the giant Goliath.

Biography: David
David was Israel’s ideal king, a type of the Messiah whom the Old Testament predicts will one day rule not only the Holy Land but the whole earth. As Israel’s king, David welded the 12 tribes into a powerful, united nation. He conquered Israel’s enemies, and multiplied its territory 10 times. David also united the nation spiritually, making Jerusalem the religious as well as political capital. He reorganized Israel’s worship and wrote many of the psalms used in public services.
Despite his many accomplishments, David is portrayed in Scripture as a very human individual. He was a man who truly loved God, yet a man who had serious weaknesses. What distinguishes David from Saul is David’s humility and his willingness to confess his sins, not only to the Lord but also publicly (cf. Ps. 51). Like so many other famous men, David’s children disappointed him, and David failed to deal wisely with them.
David is an important figure theologically. The Old Testament predicts that the Messiah, the promised Deliverer of humankind, would descend from David. Other prophecies show that this Person, David’s greater Son, would also be the Son of God. Genealogies in the Gospels make it clear that Jesus Christ meets this requirement, and fulfills God’s promise to David that the ultimate Ruler would come from his family line.

Overview
God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse, where the old prophet anointed David to become Israel’s future king (16:1–13). David entered Saul’s service as a musician (vv. 14–23). When the Philistines assembled to attack Israel, only David was willing to face their champion, the giant Goliath (17:1–37). In history’s most famous duel, young David killed Goliath with his sling (vv. 38–58).

Understanding the Text
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” 1 Sam. 16:1–12. God sent Samuel to the home of Jesse of Bethlehem to anoint one of his sons king in place of Saul, whom He had rejected. There Samuel was impressed by Jesse’s oldest, who looked impressive but was not God’s choice.
We see the wisdom of God’s rejection of Eliab later, when Eliab not only cowered before Goliath with the rest of Israel, but angrily rebuked David for expressing his belief that God would help an Israelite defeat “this uncircumcised Philistine” (cf. 17:26–28).
It’s significant that even Samuel, a wise man with much spiritual insight, was deceived by Eliab’s physical appearance. It’s not surprising that today we place too much importance on beauty when choosing a mate, and on TV image when selecting national leaders. God’s rebuke of Samuel is one each of us needs to take seriously. Like God, we need to make choices based on what is in others’ hearts. Lacking God’s perfect knowledge, you and I need to go slowly in developing relationships. More than one life has been ruined by making a quick commitment without knowing enough about another’s character.

“From that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David” 1 Sam. 16:13. The New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit now lives in each believer, and is the Source of our spiritual growth and power (cf. 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 3:18). But we should not read this New Testament meaning into the Old Testament phrase. In the Old Testament, the Spirit “coming upon” someone is a technical theological phrase. It means simply that God empowered the person spoken of for a specific task. In David’s case the task was to be ruler of Israel, with all the military and other responsibilities rule would entail.
God provides the resources we need to accomplish any task He sets before us.

“An evil spirit from the LORD” 1 Sam. 16:14–23. Saul, having rejected God, was now subject to fits of rage and deep depressions. The Old Testament ascribes the cause of his irrational moments to an “evil spirit from Yahweh.” Some take this to indicate a demon, one of Satan’s followers, who was permitted to torment Saul (cf. Matt. 12:24). Others believe the phrase speaks of Saul’s own spirit, “evil” in the sense of harmful or painful. Either interpretation affirms God’s sovereignty, and suggests either punishment or a last effort to turn Saul back to God.
David was introduced to court life when he was recommended as a skilled harpist. David’s playing quieted Saul during his bad times. David did not stay with the king permanently, but was allowed to return home at times when Saul was well (1 Sam. 17:15).

“I defy the ranks of Israel!” 1 Sam. 17:1–16 The armies of Israel and Philistia were drawn up opposite each other. A deep ravine cuts across the Elah valley, and apparently neither force was willing to risk attacking across it. So the giant Goliath came out daily for over a month and challenged Israel to send out a representative to fight him. Such duels before the main battle were not uncommon in ancient times. As Goliath was some 9’9″ (3 meters) tall, and carried a spear whose point was heavier than a modern shot put, the Israelites were too terrified to accept the challenge.

“Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?” 1 Sam. 17:17–31 In Old Testament times citizen soldiers had to provide their own supplies. So Jesse sent his youngest, David, to bring more food to his brothers. David was shocked that no one had been willing to fight Goliath, and openly expressed his surprise.
The question, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?” is dismissive. Since Goliath was not one of God’s covenant people, he could expect no help from the Lord and thus should be defeated easily.
David’s repeated questions about the reward offered to anyone who would defeat Goliath, and his bold statements, angered his older brother. But they had their desired effect. Saul heard about David’s remarks, and called him to his tent.

In Old Testament times the average Israelite was about 5’ tall. The picture shows a typical Israelite, Saul (who was a head taller than any of his people [cf. 1 Sam. 10:23]), and the giant Goliath.

“You are not able” 1 Sam. 17:32–37. Saul’s heart must have sunk when he saw David, a mere youth, and smaller than average at that. But David confidently related his exploits against wild animals who attacked his father’s sheep, and his belief that the Lord would “deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Perhaps Saul was impressed. At any rate, he gave David permission to fight.
God can still do more with one little person willing to try than with a whole army of hesitant soldiers.

“I come against you in the name of the LORD” 1 Sam. 17:38–54. We all know the outcome of that battle. With a single stone hurled from his sling David killed Goliath, serving ever since as the prime example of faith overcoming impossible odds.

“Whose son is that young man?” 1 Sam. 17:55–58 The question does not contradict the 1 Samuel 16 description of David in Saul’s court. Saul knew who David was, but did not remember his lineage. David identified his father, who benefited from David’s victory by being forever exempt from royal taxation (cf. 17:25).

DEVOTIONAL
Giant Killers
(1 Sam. 17)
There have been too many sermons on the subject to belabor the point. The odds seemed impossible when David went out to meet Goliath. Yet, with faith in God and a simple shepherd’s sling, David won.
Everyone has times when he or she faces a personal Goliath in some situation in which the odds seem impossible. A challenge that no one else is willing to take up. A struggle it seems impossible to win. When that happens, we, like David, have nowhere to turn but to God. We are to remember that we too can meet that personal giant in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of hosts.
It was in God’s name that David killed Goliath. It is with God’s help that Christians through the ages have faced similar impossible odds—and won.

Personal Application
Learn to see your problems as “uncircumcised Philistines.” Face them with courage and faith.

Quotable
“Difficulties are God’s errands. When we are sent upon them we should esteem it a proof of God’s confidence and as a compliment from Him.”—Henry Ward Beecher

SAUL’S FLAWS
1 Samuel 13–15

“Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king” (1 Sam. 15:23).

Too often success breeds pride. When that happens, there’s a real danger that we will no longer rely on—or obey—the Lord.

Overview
Facing a powerful Philistine army, Saul panicked and officiated at a sacrifice rather than waiting for Samuel (13:1–15). Yet the poorly equipped Israelites (vv. 16–22) led by Jonathan, Saul’s son, attacked (14:1–14) and routed the enemy (vv. 15–23). The intervention of the army saved Jonathan, who unknowingly violated Saul’s command (vv. 24–52). Ironically, the man who was willing to execute his son for disobeying him unintentionally, knowingly disobeyed God, and was rejected by the Lord (15:1–35).

Understanding the Text
“Their situation was critical” 1 Sam. 13:1–7. The Philistines were the major enemy of Israel during this era. They controlled the coastlands. Archeologists have found evidence of Philistine outposts as far inland as the Jordan valley. When Saul’s son attacked one of these outposts, the Philistines assembled a great army to put down the Hebrew uprising.
Earlier the men of Israel had responded to Saul’s call and turned out to fight the Ammonites (11:7). Now they ran and hid, and some even left the country. Many in Saul’s tiny standing army of 3,000 began to desert. In describing the Ammonite battle the text says Israel was moved by “terror [awe of, respect for] of the LORD.” Now all they felt was fear of the Philistines.
The Old Testament rightly says that the “fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7). It’s foolish to lose sight of the fact that God is more powerful than any human foe.

“You acted foolishly” 1 Sam. 13:8–15. Earlier Samuel had instructed Saul to meet him at Gilgal before any major engagement, and to wait there seven days (cf. 10:8). Waiting now became too much for Saul, who panicked as he saw more of his tiny force desert. Rather than wait for Samuel, Saul himself sacrificed to the Lord. Saul sinned in officiating at the sacrifice. Only priests were to serve the altar. By acting as he did, Saul disobeyed Samuel’s command to wait and God’s prohibition against any but Aaron’s descendants offering sacrifices. Here “foolish” is a strong word, implying not a lack of understanding but a lack of moral character. Under pressure Saul showed that he was deeply flawed.
The text adds an ironic note. Saul later counted and found that he still had 600 men with him. This was twice as many as the 300 with which Gideon had earlier routed a similar enemy horde.

Weapons of iron 1 Sam. 13:16–22. It’s true that Israel lacked weapons. The Philistine secret of working iron gave them unquestioned military superiority. But Gideon defeated his enemy with 300 pitchers, 300 torches, and 300 trumpets.
If only Saul had remembered what God had done, he might have been less fearful and more willing to obey.

“That will be our sign” 1 Sam. 14:1–14. The text introduces Jonathan, Saul’s son, who attacked a Philistine frontline post after seeking and receiving a sign that “the LORD has given them into our hands.” Jonathan and his armor-bearer were outnumbered too. But Jonathan, unlike Saul, trusted God completely and had no fear.

“Withdraw your hand” 1 Sam. 14:15–23. After Jonathan’s victory, God threw the Philistine camp into a panic. Saul, hearing the commotion, called for a priest to use the ephod [not “ark”] to consult God. As the tumult across the valley increased, Saul couldn’t wait, and told the priest to “withdraw your hand.” That is, he said, “Don’t bother,” and rushed off to battle.
Despite Saul’s behavior, the Lord helped Israel. The Philistines began to run away, and the Israelites who had hidden joined in the pursuit.

“None of the troops tasted food” 1 Sam. 14:24–45. Saul uttered a curse on any Israelite who should eat until the battle was over. Jonathan did not hear this vow and tasted some honey he found during the battle.
Saul’s command was unwise. His troops pursued the Philistines some 18 miles (from Micmash to Aijalon)! Afterward they were so exhausted that they butchered cattle and ate the meat on the spot. This eating of meat before the blood had been drained was a serious violation of Old Testament Law.
When Saul was eager to go on and invade Philistine territory, the priest, whom Saul had rushed to consult earlier, insisted Saul ask God for guidance. But God gave no answer. (Many believe the priest carried a blank stone in the ephod as well as stones indicating yes and no.) Saul assumed that some sin was blocking the response. When lots were cast, Jonathan was chosen, and admitted violating his father’s command. Though Saul’s command had been unwise, when uttered as a curse it was binding, and disobedience was a sin.
When Saul proposed executing Jonathan, the army refused to let Saul harm him.
Again we sense irony. Saul was ready to kill his own son for disobeying his command. Yet Saul himself thought nothing of disobeying the Lord, Israel’s God and true King.

“He fought valiantly” 1 Sam. 14:47–48. Most of the text is given to an analysis of Saul’s flaws. Two verses sum up his strengths. Saul was a valiant soldier, who did defeat Israel’s enemies.
To the biblical writer, who gives only two verses to chronicle Saul’s victories, what counts is not Saul’s prowess but his pride. Not his accomplishments, but his personal failings. It’s the same today. The true measure of a man is not found in what he does, but in the kind of person that he is.

“I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them” 1 Sam. 15:1–34. The final revealing incident describes Saul’s attack on the Amalekites. This invasion was divine punishment, and the city attacked was to be “devoted” to God. That is, all the people and animals of the area were to be killed, and no booty taken.
Saul did attack. But he returned with vast herds and with a royal prisoner. God sent Samuel to confront the disobedient king. At first Saul insisted he had obeyed God. After all, the Amalekites had been destroyed. Finally Saul admitted that he had violated God’s command, and confessed that he had done so because he “was afraid of the people.”
What a commentary. Saul, the king, was ruled by fear. He had feared the Philistine army. Now he was afraid of his own people. If only Saul had feared God, respect for the Lord would have freed him from the burden of fearing mere men.

“Please honor me . . . before Israel” 1 Sam. 15:30. The verse is a fitting epitaph. A heartbroken and angry Samuel announced God’s final rejection of Saul. This disobedient king would establish no dynasty in Israel. And all Saul could think of when Samuel turned away is how it would look to his people!
May God deliver us from caring more about what people think than what God thinks of us, and from the hypocrisy that such an attitude generates.

DEVOTIONAL
Saul and You
(1 Sam. 15)
Some find reading about Saul frightening. Saul reminds them of their own weaknesses. Saul reflects their own flaws. And so they wonder. Perhaps like Saul they’ve gone too far. Might they too be rejected by God?
Yet the story of Saul isn’t intended to frighten us. It’s in our Bible to encourage us. And to teach us how to avoid the pitfall that trapped Israel’s first, failed king.
Saul’s basic problem was that he was unwilling to trust God, and so found it impossible to obey Him. Saul panicked when confronted by a massive Philistine force (1 Sam. 13). He forgot that God was able to deliver. Because he did not trust God to act in the deteriorating situation, Saul disobeyed the Lord.
By the time we read this last story, Saul is even afraid of his own people. Once again Saul’s fear comes from a lack of trust, and is expressed as a failure to obey the Lord.
The one thing that ruined Saul’s life and destroyed his future was his inability to trust God, expressed in his failure to obey. This is what’s so encouraging about Saul’s story. As we read it we come to understand the central issue in the spiritual life. Saul’s story teaches us that the one thing we must do is to trust God, and that trust will free us to obey.
When you or I feel fear or sense panic, that’s the time to pause and remember who our God is. To think about His greatness. To remember His power. To meditate on His love. When we keep our hearts fixed on who God is, we trust ourselves to Him. And we obey.

Personal Application
Trust in God frees us to obey. And obedience protects us from Saul’s fate.

Quotable
“He that cannot obey, cannot command.”—Benjamin Franklin

ISRAEL’S FIRST KING
1 Samuel 8–12

“Give us a king to lead us” (1 Sam. 8:6).

The story of Israel’s transition to a monarchy reminds us that the root of our problems is often in ourselves.

Definition of Key Terms
King. In Old Testament times kings controlled all the functions of government-legislative, executive, and judicial. The people owed total allegiance to their ruler, and the ruler in turn protected his people by leading them in war as well as peace.
As originally conceived, Israel was a theocracy—a people whose King was God. In the Old Testament Law Covenant God committed Himself to fight Israel’s battles and to cause the nation to prosper. In turn the people were to obey the laws enacted by their Monarch, and give their allegiance completely to Him.
The role of the king in Old Testament times, and the teaching of Scripture that God was Himself Israel’s King, helps us to see why Israel’s request for a human monarch was in fact a rejection of the Lord.

Anoint. The act of pouring oil on the head of a person. Anointing was a symbolic act consecrating persons whom God had chosen for a special role, such as priest or king.

Overview
Israel’s request for a king implied rejection of God (8:1–22). Samuel anointed Saul privately (9:1–10:8), and later publicly introduced him as God’s choice (vv. 9–27). After Saul led Israel to victory over the Ammonites (11:1–11), the people confirmed Saul as ruler (vv. 12–15). Samuel stepped down from political leadership, but warned Israel to obey God, and promised to pray constantly for them (12:1–25).

Understanding the Text
“Appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have” 1 Sam. 8:1–22. Moses had predicted that one day Israel would have a king (cf. Gen. 49:10; Num. 24:17; Deut. 17:14–20). Yet the motive of the elders of Israel who asked Samuel to appoint a king was wrong.
God had held back the Philistines all of Samuel’s long rule as judge (1 Sam. 7:13). But Samuel’s sons, who he unwisely had appointed judges, accepted bribes. This, with Samuel’s age, created uncertainty about the future. The need even seemed urgent when the Ammonites prepared to move against Israel (12:12). Rather than inquire of God what to do, the elders of Israel turned to pagan ways to deal with a leadership vacuum. They asked for a king “as all the other nations have.” God pointed out to a visibly upset Samuel that the request was in fact a rejection of Him, for since the Exodus the Lord Himself had functioned as Israel’s King.
Samuel warned Israel by showing the faults in the pagan system. Kings demand taxes, take the brightest and best to serve their administrations, and even transfer citizens’ property to their attendants (8:10–18). But the people insisted. They desperately wanted to “be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles” (v. 20).
Like the ancient Israelites, modern Christians can be all too quick to turn to secular solutions. In times of uncertainty we often run to the world. Pastors struggling with church leadership sign up for seminars on management. Missionaries eager to reach a lost world look to statistics for principles of church growth. Parents desperate for guidance try pop psychology. While each of these may be of some help, each secular system has its drawbacks. But most tragic, each serves as a substitute for better ways that God has mapped out in His Word for believers.
Israel’s insistence on a monarchy at this point in history stands as a warning to us. When we face uncertainty, let’s seek God’s answer, rather than adopt the world’s solutions and be “like all the others.”

“He will deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines” 1 Sam. 9:1–10:8. The text describes a series of events that makes it clear the Lord personally supervised the choice of Saul. The loss of several donkeys launched Saul on a trip that led, step by step, to Samuel. God identified Saul as the one God intended to govern His people.
After Samuel anointed Saul to be king, Samuel made a series of predictions intended to convince that reluctant young man that God had indeed chosen him (10:2–7).
A question that has troubled believers is, Why did God choose Saul, in view of Saul’s later failures? Did God intend to show the people the error of their ways by selecting a flawed leader? Not at all. The people had asked for a leader who would “go out before us and fight our battles.” When God told Samuel to anoint Saul, the Lord told him, “He will deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines” (9:16). God gave Israel a king who would do just what the people asked!
We need to evaluate our prayers carefully. Is what we ask for what we really need? Is what we ask for what is truly best for us?
What Israel should have asked for is a king after God’s own heart. One who would be responsive to God, and keep Israel close to the Lord. It is a measure of God’s grace that when Saul’s flaws were fully revealed, the Lord provided His people with just such a king in David.

“See the man the LORD has chosen” 1 Sam. 10:9–26. One of the means used in the Old Testament to determine God’s will was casting lots. Another was the Urim and Thummim—most likely smooth stones indicating yes or no—carried by the high priest. Here some such means was used to indicate the Lord’s choice of a tribe, clan, family, and finally individual.
Saul, possibly moved by an appealing modesty or perhaps by fear, was found hiding among the baggage. He was an imposing figure, “a head taller” than any other Israelite. Based on the average height of Israelites in that era, Saul was probably between 6’4″ and 6’6″ tall. Saul was presented to the people, most of whom were impressed by his height and shouted, “Long live the king!”
Like Israel, we’re often impressed by externals. Samuel’s invitation, “See the man,” reminds us not to judge by appearances, but to look for character.

“Let us . . . reaffirm the kingship” 1 Sam. 11:1–15. The Ammonite attack on Jabesh Gilead may have been a direct challenge to Saul, who as a Benjamite might trace his lineage to this city (Jdg. 21:9–16). Saul rallied Israel and led the people to victory.
The victory resolved any remaining doubts, and Saul was confirmed as king by all the people at Gilgal. Saul’s gracious treatment of those who earlier refused to acknowledge him was notable (1 Sam. 11:12–13). So was Saul’s humble attitude, as he gave credit for the victory to “the LORD [who] has rescued Israel” (v. 13).

“You have not cheated or oppressed us” 1 Sam. 12:1–5. Few political or spiritual leaders can conclude their careers as Samuel did. He led for love of the people and for love of God, not for personal gain or power.

“If both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God-good” 1 Sam. 12:6–25. Samuel turned over the reins of political power to Saul in the public gathering at Gilgal, though he continued as spiritual leader (cf. v. 23). The speech was dramatic. Samuel recounted how faithful God had been when Israel looked to Him as ruler, and made it plain that Israel’s motive in seeking a king at that time was wrong. To underline this, God sent a destructive thunderstorm. As wheat harvest is the dry season in Israel, this was viewed as a miraculous sign, and led Israel to admit their request for a king was a sin.
Samuel’s response is for us as well as for Israel. “Do not be afraid. You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD.” Sin is wrong, but God will not reject the person who turns from it and clings faithfully to Him.

DEVOTIONAL
Fully Equipped
(1 Sam. 10–11)
Every child who goes to Sunday School is familiar with Saul’s failure. He is the flawed king, the vindictive enemy of David, who again and again disobeyed God. It’s no wonder that some question whether God deliberately chose a man who would fall short, as punishment for those who insisted on a king. Did God set Israel up? Was Saul God’s choice only so He could later say, “I told you so”?
That question is answered clearly and firmly in the text. And the answer is no. In fact, God thoroughly prepared Saul—not for failure, but for success.
Notice. Saul was given signs to ensure that he realized he had been chosen by God (10:1–7). God immediately let Saul know that He was personally involved in Saul’s choice and his life.
Saul was infused by the Spirit of God and, the text says, “God changed Saul’s heart” (vv. 9–10). God worked within Saul to make him sensitive to the Lord.
Saul was suddenly able to prophesy, causing amazement in those who knew him (v. 11). God prepared Saul’s acquaintances for Saul’s new role.
Saul was publicly selected by God at Gilgal (vv. 20–24). God made it clear to the whole nation that Saul was His choice.
Saul was again filled by the Spirit when he called out the nation to fight the Ammonites (11:7). God gave Saul special enablement when the crisis came.
And Saul’s victory was evidence of God’s presence. The new king realized that “the LORD has rescued Israel” (v. 13).
What this shows is that God did nothing that might have caused Saul’s later failures. Instead, the Lord did everything possible to equip Saul for success! As the New Testament affirms, “God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed” (James 1:13–14).
What an important message for you and me. When God calls us to any task, He intends us to succeed! And He provides all the resources we need to achieve success. If we stay close to Him we will avoid the tragedy that later befell Saul, Israel’s first king.

Personal Application
Because each of us does have flaws, it is vital that we stay close to the Lord.

Quotable
“With every thought from the Word that your understanding grasps, bow before God in dependence and trust. Believe with your whole heart that God can and will make it true. Ask for the Holy Spirit to make it work in your heart until the Word becomes the strength of your life.”—Andrew Murray