1st Samuel 8
(v.5) Samuel is partly to blame for this situation, since he neglected to discipline his sons all this time. My kids pointed out that Samuel isn't responsible for his sons now, since they are adults, and their actions are there own. I agreed, but the people used Samuel's rebellious sons as an excuse to have a king lead them.
(v.6) This is a sad time in Israel's history, and we can see the similarities today in America. When we put our trust in man instead of God, we will only get oppression and disappointment. God warned the Jews of this, and we can see the same pattern today. We should only want one king...the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords!
(v.20) God set Israel apart from all the other nations, and through which to reveal Himself to the world. Here we see Israel wanting to be like all the other nations. We as Christians are set apart just like Israel (Psalm 4:3), and the more we want to be like the world, the more we're acting like Israel did then.
This is a time where I talk with my kids about the founding of America. They didn't want a king, and they made three separate branches of government to make sure one didn't rule over the others. It was a novel and unique aspect, but it was really derived from the Bible.
Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it layed the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?
~ John Quincy Adams (6th President of the United States)
~ transcript of his speech at the 61st anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1837
1st Samuel 9
(v.2) And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
God is a gentleman...He will not push Himself upon us. He will repeatedly strive to draw us to Him, but the choice is ours to follow Him or not. After the people insisted they be led by a man, God gave them the most qualified candidate. Saul was over a foot taller than everyone, so he immediately commanded respect. He was handsome and respected. How could this go wrong?!?
I believe God gave the people the best choice possible, in order to show them that no man would lead them perfectly and justly like God would. God is our King...anyone else won't do.
1st Samuel 10
(v.6) In the Old Testament times, God's Spirit didn't enter people like He does after Jesus ascended into heaven. In those times, God's Spirit came upon them...temporarily. Saul had so much potential to be great, but as we'll see, he didn't rely upon God, and the outcome was tragic.
(v.9) When the Holy Spirit is working in our lives, He gives us a new heart. It's not a softer or cleaner heart...it's a new heart. When we are truly saved, we act and look upon things completely differently.
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