The Crown – Season One – Episode 3
You have done a foolish thing
We left chapter 10 a little confused. Saul seems to lack initiative. He doesn’t exhibit the skills associated with leadership. In some ways there is not a lot of hope for his reign. Yet, Samuel says some very encouraging things about Saul.
1 Samuel 10:6–9 (NIV) — 6 The Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. 7 Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you. 8 “Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.” 9 As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day.
And, he has some good people around him.
1 Samuel 10:26 (NIV) — 26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched.
But look at the next verse:
1 Samuel 10:27 (NIV) — 27 But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.
There are some doubters!
So, what will it be?
Saul’s first test will come in Chapter 11 against a nation called the Ammonites.
Nahash, the king of Ammon, is threatening an Israelite city, Jabesh-Gilead. They want a treaty and Nahash agrees so long as he can gouge out the right eye of every person. This will allow them to do servants work but will make them unable to fight effectively. Jabesh-Gilead asks for a week to make a decision hoping they can get the support of the rest of the nation.
Word gets to Saul, and he takes decisive action. And he’s quite creative. He cuts up a pair of oxen and sends them all over Israel with the message, “This is what will be done to your oxen if you don’t come and help out.” That does the trick and the whole nation of Israel comes together as one. Saul develops a military strategy and they defeat Nahash. He proves to be a good leader. He gets the nation act as one.
Saul goes to Gilgal which is an important city. It’s where Joshua first brought the people into the promised land. We have cities like that – Lexington/Concord or Gettysburg or The Alamo. There they have a big celebration. Saul is off to a great start.
Chapter 12 is often labeled as Samuel’s farewell address. It’s really more like a changing of the guard address. Samuel, although he is nearing the end of his career, will still be around a while and will show up in the coming chapters. But his role is changing now that Saul is King. He repeats a lot of what he said earlier about his displeasure of them wanting a king. He recites a bit of their history. Warns them that they must obey. And reminds them that God will not reject him. He will be true to his covenant.
But we want to focus more on Saul, so let’s move to chapter 13. It’s another big test as this is Saul’s first encounter with the Philistines – Israel's’ arch enemy. They have been torn in their side for centuries. They are prominent in the book of judges. Remember Samson won a great battle against them. They live on the southwestern coast but have moved inland and set up camp at Mikmash and they have come to fight. We are also introduced in this chapter to Saul’s son, Jonathan. He will prove to be an upstanding man. He will become David’s dearest f friends. We’re not going to focus so much on him but remember that name.
The Philistines are loaded for bear – I think that’s the expression.
They have an impressive army!
1 Samuel 13:5 (NIV) — 5 The Philistines assembled to fight Israel, with three thousand chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Mikmash, east of Beth Aven.
They have state of the art technology that Israel doesn’t have. They can make weapons out of metal. The Israelites are basically sharpening sticks.
1 Samuel 13:19–22 (NIV) — 19 Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!” 20 So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened. 21 The price was two-thirds of a shekel for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads. 22 So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.
This is a mismatch and Israel knows it and they are terrified. Here’s their reaction:
1 Samuel 13:6–7 (NIV) — 6 When the Israelites saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. 7 Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear.
But Saul should be confident. Back in 9:15-16 Samuel was told that Saul was chosen for this specific purpose – to deliver Israel from the Philistines:
1 Samuel 9:15–16 (NIV) — 15 Now the day before Saul came, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel: 16 “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.”
So, how is Saul going to handle this crisis?
He’s waiting for Samuel. That is what he was told to do. He was told that Samuel would be there by the end of seven days and when I come I will make the offerings. Important to note that sacrifices were the job of the priest. Never was Saul told that he was supposed to do that. He was told to wait for Samuel. But the seven days are almost up and Saul is getting nervous. Just imagine how he is feeling. You have probably been in a similar situation where you are really nervous. You have felt really anxious and it is so critical that we stay true to our commitments and beliefs even when we feel afraid.
1 Samuel 13:8 (NIV) — 8 He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter.
But Saul, in his fear, decides to go ahead and take it upon himself to offer the sacrifices. And just as he is finishing up, who shows up? Samuel.
1 Samuel 13:9–10 (NIV) — 9 So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.
Saul goes out to meet him seemingly with no remorse, but Samuel is not happy. Let’s read Samuel’s reaction:
1 Samuel 13:11–14 (NIV) — 11 “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” 13 “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.”
This may sound harsh, but the King is supposed to be a spiritual leader even more than a military leader. The king is supposed to be an example of trust. The king is supposed to recognize that even though he is king he is subject to the King of kings. Saul has done a foolish thing!
In the Bible foolish means more than just silly or unwise. In the Bible foolish means acting immoral or as if there is no God. Foolish means not trusting in God. And here Saul in his first real moment of stress fails to trust God and God’s prophet Samuel. Israel’s king is supposed to be the standard of trust. Because of this God has chosen a man after his own heart to lead after you – a clear reference to King David.
Well, so much for the good start. Saul falls flat on his face.
Saul has done a foolish thing. And he does this because he is afraid. He is under pressure. And so many times we do the same thing. We make foolish, ungodly, decisions when we are under pressure. How you respond under pressure reveals your true heart. And you are often at your weakest moment when you are under pressure and Satan will use that time to give you all kinds of foolish options. That’s what he tried on Jesus. Satan came to him after Jesus had been in the wilderness for 40 days fasting. Jesus was hungry. Jesus was facing the pressure of beginning his public ministry knowing it would lead him to the cross. Jesus was under pressure and Satan though this is the time I can get him to be foolish and Satan will do the same in your life. It worked with Saul, will it work on you?
• Under the pressure and stress of marriage and family Satan is going to urge you to do foolish things so you can enjoy what you really deserve.
• Under financial stress Satan will urge to compromise your integrity. Cheat here and there. It will make things so much better.
• Under physical trials Satan will suggest to you that you cannot trust or even believe in God.
• Under the pressure of friends who will turn on you unless you join them in some godless activity, he will tempt you to compromise your godly convictions and join them in their sin.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed with fear?
Don’t do what Saul does. He disobeys. Strange thing here is you never see Saul praying. You don’t see Saul consulting with godly people. You don’t see Saul resting in God. Instead of turning to God he takes matters into his own hands.
You may wonder why the condemnation of Saul is so great. But Saul is acting as if there is no God. And you may wonder who David is already being groomed to be king. But one thing that is so different between David and Saul that in fearful situations David finds peace in God.
Listen to David’s response to fear:
Psalm 27 (NIV) — Of David. 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 4 One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. 7 Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. 11 Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. 13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Under pressure David writes Psalms, he turns to God. Under pressure Saul does what he thinks is right! Under pressure Saul acts out of fear. David acts out of faith. What do you do?
And then notice how Saul reacts when Samuel arrives:
1 Samuel 13:11–12 (NIV) — 11 “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”
He starts making all these excuses. The men were scattering. Samuel didn’t come at the right time. The Philistines are scary. He blames everyone but himself! He takes no responsibility. When you act foolishly admit your mistakes. Confess to God. Confess to others. Stop blaming your circumstances and other people for your foolish behavior.
And that’s another thing that distinguishes Saul from David. You may ask, “Didn’t David do some foolish things? I seem to remember he slept with another man’s wife? And didn’t he have the man killed? That seems a whole lot worse than offering a sacrifice!” How is David the man after God’s heart?
When David was confronted with his sin he makes no excuses. David wrote Psalm 51 after the prophet Nathan confronted him and there is not even a hint that David blames anyone else but himself. Here’s a portion of that Psalm:
Psalm 51:16–17 (NIV) — 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
Saul rationalizes. David confesses. What do you do?
You have often heard, I daresay, that pretty little story which I cannot help telling again because it drops in so appropriately here, of the woman, on board ship, who was much disturbed in a storm, while her husband, the captain, was calm and restful. She asked him why he was so placid when she was so distressed. He did not answer in words, but he took down his sword and held it to her neck. She smiled. He said, “Why are you not afraid? This is a sharp sword, with which I could slay you in a minute.” “Ah,” she replied, “but I am not afraid of a sword when it is my husband who wields it.” “So,” said he, “neither am I afraid of a storm when it is my Father who sends it and who manages it.” Now, since all the trials and troubles of this mortal life are as much in the hand of the great God as that sword was in the hand of the good woman’s husband, we need not be afraid of them, for they are all in His power! When He rides aloft in His chariot, and the skies tremble at the sound, why should you tremble, even you timid ones?
- C.H. Spurgeon
All of us will be afraid. All of us will feel overwhelmed by our enemies and our circumstances. But know this – the Lord is on your side.
