Never seen before in 2024!
We have learned in the last few weeks that we could say never heard before in 2024 – which is about hearing the voice of God in a day when few hear it or even listen to it! Our time is no different than in Samuels young years and in his later years.
Thesis: Samuel tuned in to God at age 12! When everyone else tuned Him out because in those days everyone was doing was right in their own eyes! Samuel rises as a good godly leader in tune to God’s voice – he became known as a Seer of things! Being a seer is another word for prophet – a person who sees things others cannot see or even understand - Samuel moved in this gift.
We need to make sure our heart and mind are tuned in to God. Samuel tuned into God at a young age while Eli and his sons tuned God! Sadly, most of the nation of Israel had tuned God out and tuned into idol worship. But Samuel re-emphasized listening to God – knowing of God – and created the School of the Prophets!
Samuel who tuned into God at a young age teaches us what could happen if in our lives we tune into God’s Word and voice. When we listen to God’s voice, we set ourselves up to be blessed but when we disobey God’s voice and Word we set ourselves up for failure and pain and suffering.
Today we will explore The History of Israel again and learn how this nation went from a Theocracy to a Monarchy and how Samuel was in the middle of it all as a leader for the Nation of Israel.
The characters who have surfaced to the top so far are: Samuel – Eli – his sons – Samuels sons – and today we will be introduced to Saul’s Israel’s first king – ever – their stories teach us the following:”
1. Listening to God = Blessing
2. Ignoring God = Deception
3. Rebellion against God = Judgment accompanied by pain and suffering
Samuel lived an honorable life as a leader being a Judge-priest and prophet of God – He is known for the following:
His miraculous birth.
His dedication to the Temple and to God at a young age by his mother Hannah. Eli recognizes God’s call on Samuel.
His hearing the voice of God at 12 years old when his mentor did not.
His speaking the Word of the Lord to Eli at 12 declaring the judgment of God on Eli’s family and losing their designated role in the tabernacle.
He was the last judge of Israel.
He was the first prophet of Israel.
He replaced Eli as priest and the representative of God in the tabernacle.
He is known for starting the school of the prophets in his time.
He called Israel to forsake sin and return to God and they heeded his call to repent. He therefore led Israel in national repentance.
He led in battle against the Philistines and won.
He was a historian of Israel’s history.
He anointed the first two kings of Israel.
Samuel lived an exemplary life for God and for Israel!
Scripture Text Section today: 1 Samuel 8 -12:
I Samuel 8 – The nation of Israel wants a King to lead them but not God!
8 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. 4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” 6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.
Observation #1
1. Samuel had a problem with His sons: He had a leadership problem!
a. Samuel’s sons are corrupt just like Eli’s sons were – so the line of Samuel is tainted leadership is distorted and judged as being the wrong kind of leadership – Sadly Samuel’s sons were dishonest – they took bribes - distorted justice for personal gain. Truth is it was the same scenario as Eli’s sons except for no mention of sexual immorality – please hear this dishonesty, doing things for personal gain and allowing injustice will cause a leadership crisis.
i. Bad leadership causes people to abandon the current system of leadership!
1. It does not matter what organization it impacts – it creates resistance! It creates panic and suspicion.
2. Case in point – The Italian Church on the North Side of Chicago!
3. The crisis in America today can be looked at with the same Lense – we have a leadership crisis in our country!
a. We lack authenticity
b. We lack responsibility
c. We lack honesty and integrity
d. We lack morals
e. We lack empathy for others
f. We lack servant leaders in our country!
i. We have a leadership crisis!
ii. I want to focus on a key leadership failure today - Honesty – this character trait is essential in the family and service of God and in leadership – today we live in a dishonest culture – honesty is not held up as a standard to live by!
1. There is little controversy that honesty is a virtue today – we really need discernment from God on what is true and what is false – what is real news and what is fake news.
2. But honesty and integrity is focused in Scripture on being attached to having and excellence of character.
a. Why? It also promotes trust, fosters healthy relationships, strengthens organizations and societies, and prevents harm.
b. Sadly, though, honesty has gone missing in recent decades. It is largely absent from academic research and the social media world.
c. It seems to be rare in politics, church culture, society and places of work.
b. Israel has rejected the leadership structure God has designed for them – considering the leadership failure we see in Israel’s upcoming leadership “Samuel’s Sons” We see the majority of Israel wants things to change - So, what is the problem with their request for a king? Well let me explain the problem!
i. God makes it clear to Samuel - They are rejecting God not Samuel as their leader!
1. Samuel is experiencing Leadership pain – it’s the reality of what happens when people reject your leadership – criticize your leadership – attack your family – rebel against your leadership – and the list could go on!
a. Samuel will express this leadership pain in Chapter 12 to Israel!
2. With a request to God for a human king, they rejected God's direct rule as their king.
3. Sadly - they wanted to be exactly what God wanted them not to be, “like all other nations.” It was a real problem behind the scenes.
a. We want a king because everyone around us has a king!
4. In fact, God had chosen Israel out of all nations of the earth to be his special representatives.
a. They were now rejecting this governmental system because of leadership failures:
i. Eli’s Sons – Samuel Sons!
5. God grants the Israelites request and reminds Samuel they are rejecting him – not the prophet!
a. Samuel is offended – this is seen in his response to them in chapter 12!
i. It’s true leadership is hard and there will always be those who reject your leadership – your choice and lack of choices – your style or lack of style – your system of lack of system.
ii. It comes with the leadership role by the way!
iii. People will attack leaders who make mistakes – trust me I know!
6. Lesson to learn: Why did they want a monarchy over God? – because of the perversion of Eli’s sons and Samuel’s sons – they wanted a King because the judges and priests were corrupt, dishonest, immoral and failed leaders. But God has always seen within their hearts of the Israelites - the truth!
a. God sees into our hearts and motives too!
b. He knows why we do what we do!
c. They from the beginning did not like God’s structure for leadership in their nation because it was different from all the nations around them!
1 Samuel 8 (cont)
9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.” 10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”
19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. 22 The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”
Then Samuel said to the Israelites, “Everyone go back to your own town.”
Observation #2:
2. Samuel In 1 Samuel 8, warns the Israelites of three problems with kings (1 Ruler over them with position and power!):
a. Conscription:
i. The king will take the Israelites' sons to fight in his wars, farm his fields, and make his weapons.
b. Taxation:
i. The king will take a tenth of the Israelites' grain, vineyards, and flocks to give to his officers and servants.
1. By the way 10% is not that bad!
a. The avg American pays 28.4% in taxes today! While in other socialist countries it is around 34.6%.
i. See https://www.thebalancemoney.com/what-the-average-american-pays-in-taxes-4768594#toc-the-us-tax-wedge
c. Requisitioning of property:
i. The king will take the Israelites' land for his officials.
1. They were warned but they still wanted a king! They would pay the price for a King – they wanted to be like the other kingdoms around them.
I Samuel 9 – Samuel commissions and anoints new king – Saul – he looks good, but we will see he has a leadership character flaw! I want to say this “Looks can be deceiving!”
Samuel Anoints Saul 9
There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. 2 He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others.
3 Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.” 4 So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them.
5 When they reached the district of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, “Come, let’s go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”
6 But the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.”
7 Saul said to his servant, “If we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”
8 The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have a quarter of a shekela of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take.” 9 (Formerly in Israel, if a man went to inquire of God, he would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.)
10 “Good,” Saul said to his servant. “Come, let’s go.” So they set out for the town where the man of God was.
11 As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some girls coming out to draw water, and they asked them, “Is the seer here?”
12 “He is,” they answered. “He’s ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place. 13 As soon as you enter the town, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not begin eating until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat. Go up now; you should find him about this time.”
14 They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place.
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 leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me.”
17 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”
18 Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”
19 “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. 20 As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and all your father’s family?”
21 Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”
22 Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited about thirty in number. 23 Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside.”
24 So the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, “Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion, from the time I said, ‘I have invited guests.’” And Saul dined with Samuel that day.
25 After they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of his house. 26 They rose about daybreak and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get ready, and I will send you on your way.” When Saul got ready, he and Samuel went outside together. 27 As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us”—and the servant did so— “but you stay here awhile, so that I may give you a message from God.”
Observation 3:
3. Saul is chosen as the first king of Israel by God:
a. Physically he is bigger than all the others and more handsome than others from what I read in Scripture.
b. Saul the soon to be king meets Samuel:
i. Saul seeks out Samuel the prophet for directions to get home!
1. Saul wants to give the seer – Samuel – The prophet – the person with spiritual discernment.
2. Saul goes to well young maidens there and Saul asks to see the seer – they tell him where to go to find him.
3. Samuel knows that God is sending him the next king a day before – is it not great to have a communication with God like Samuel -God keeps His word and there comes Saul looking for help from Samuel to get directions to find the donkey’s – Samuel tells him the donkeys are found.
4. He invited Saul to dinner after saying a few things to Saul about God’s call on his life – some prophetic words – he then anoints him as king – Samuel makes it clear – he also gives him some more prophetic words – to confirm that Samuel knows what He is doing.
5. Samuel – tells him he will meet other prophets, and they will prophecy over him and then he will prophecy too and the Spirit of the Lord will come to Him.
a. There will be music playing and singing – God will fill him with the Spirit, and he will be a different man.
b. Samuel says - Then you will go offer sacrifices to God after all this happens to you! Then wait and I will come to you to tell what God has called you to do!
ii. Once again Samuel tells the people they have rejected God – because they want a King – all the tribes come together and mourn over their choice but do not change their minds on wanting a King over God.
1. They have a heart problem!
2. They have a desire to be like the world and not like God wants them to be!
1 Samuel 10
Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance? 2 When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you set out to look for have been found. And now your father has stopped thinking about them and is worried about you. He is asking, “What shall I do about my son?”’
3 “Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. 4 They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them.
5 “After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. 6 The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, 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.”
Saul Made King
9 As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. 10 When they arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he joined in their prophesying. 11 When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” 12 A man who lived there answered, “And who is their father?” So it became a saying: “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 13 After Saul stopped prophesying, he went to the high place.
14 Now Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where have you been?”
“Looking for the donkeys,” he said. “But when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”
15 Saul’s uncle said, “Tell me what Samuel said to you.”
16 Saul replied, “He assured us that the donkeys had been found.” But he did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about the kingship.
17 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD at Mizpah 18 and said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ 19 But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, ‘No, set a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.” 20 When Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen.
21 Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was chosen. Finally Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. 22 So they inquired further of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”
23 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. 24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.”
Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!”
25 Samuel explained to the people the regulations of the kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the LORD. Then Samuel dismissed the people, each to his own home.
26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some troublemakers said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.
Observation 4:
4. Saul is anointed by Samuel the Seer – the prophet – the judge – the leader - the priest - the spokesman for God!
a. Saul had come to find Samuel to ask for help in finding lost livestock because he was known as a man who hears from God and sees into the future by the power of God.
i. Samuel does not disappoint Saul and Samuel has been waiting for Saul to come from a former vision from the Lord!
1. Samuel tells Saul what will happen that day and he will meet some men who will tell him the donkeys have been found and his father is worried about were Saul is!
a. It happens as Samuel has said – the seer sees into the future to confirm to Saul his call to lead!
2. The second encounter will be with three men going to offer a sacrifice to God at Bethel and they will offer Saul two loaves of Bread – he is to accept the bread!
a. It happens as Samuel predicted! Another confirmation for Saul to his call to leadership.
3. The third encounter will be with a procession of Prophets – all singing and making music to the Lord in praise – they will also be prophesying – Samuel tells Saul the Spirit of the Lord will come on him and he too will prophesy – this encounter with God and His spirit will change him into a different person!
b. Saul meets up with his uncle – concerned about where he has been, and he shares the amazing ability Samuel had to predict the future – Saul is blown away by the encounter with Samuel! But he does not tell his uncle about the call to lead Israel as a King!
i. Samuel calls the nation together at Mizpah again – He speaks the Words of God to the people:
1. God says, “You have rejected me for a king – God is clear on the heart condition of Israel – even though he delivered them out of their distress and gave them the promised land.”
2. The clans come before Samuel, and they get to Sauls tribe – The Benjamite’s – But Saul is no where to be found he is hiding from his chosen call to be King and the leader of Israel.
a. God reveals to Samuel where he is – hiding out in the baggage – they go get him and bring him out he is a head taller than everyone else –but he is not sure about this leadership call – leadership is hard and demanding and many people collapse under the pressure of it!
b. Samuel reveals Saul as their new King – the people shout, “Long Live the King!”
c. Samuel lays out the kingship guidelines and writes them down.
d. He dismisses the nation to go home!
3. Saul goes home with valiant men by his side!
a. But the opposition rose up saying “Who is this, Saul?’ – Leadership will always be opposed by others – even when it is God ordained.
i. The enemy will always oppose godly leadership – troublemakers will cause problems – it comes with the position of leadership.
Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh 11:
Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.”
2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.”
3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.”
4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud. 5 Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, “What is wrong with the people? Why are they weeping?” Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said.
6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger. 7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they turned out as one man. 8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
9 They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be delivered.’ ” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated. 10 They said to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever seems good to you.”
11 The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
Saul Confirmed as King
12 The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring these men to us and we will put them to death.”
13 But Saul said, “No one shall be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel.”
14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there reaffirm the kingship.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.
Observation 5: Saul steps up to the plate as king and leader of Israel!
5. Saul is called on to deliver the Jabesh people from the Ammonites!
a. He hears of the condition for surrender pluck out everyone’s right eye!
i. He came in from the field – most likely plowing the field because he was a farmer! He was anointed King but still acting as a farmer!
ii. The Spirit of the Lord comes on him – he slaughters his oxen and sends the pieces throughout Israel calling them to war with the Ammonites or this too will happen to your oxen!
1. He sends a message from the voice of the Lord to the people – the terror of the Lord seized the people, and they came out as one to defend their brothers and sisters.
2. They attack the Ammonites being led by Samuel and Saul and decimate them delivering Jabesh Gilead!
b. The people demand the troublemakers be executed for resisiting Saul as King – Saul spares their lives and says, “No one will die today for this day the Lord rescued Israel!”
i. Samuel seizes the moment to reaffirm the Kingship of Saul for Israel, and the nation is united behind their leader!
ii. Note- how it is reaffirmed in the presence of the Lord!
iii. They offer sacrifices of thanks to God for giving them a King!
iv. The people celebrate the day of going from a theocracy to to monarchy!
Samuel’s Farewell Speech 12
Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. 2 Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. 3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right.”
4 “You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.”
5 Samuel said to them, “The LORD is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.”
“He is witness,” they said.
6 Then Samuel said to the people, “It is the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your forefathers up out of Egypt. 7 Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the LORD as to all the righteous acts performed by the LORD for you and your fathers.
8 “After Jacob entered Egypt, they cried to the LORD for help, and the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your forefathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place.
9 “But they forgot the LORD their God; so he sold them into the hand of Sisera, the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them. 10 They cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned; we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve you.’ 11 Then the LORD sent Jerub-Baal, Barak, Jephthah and Samuel, and he delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, so that you lived securely.
12 “But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.
WARNING!
13 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the LORD has set a king over you. 14 If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God—good! 15 But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers.
A sign from God of betrayal!
16 “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes! 17 Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call upon the LORD to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the LORD when you asked for a king.” 18 Then Samuel called upon the LORD, and that same day the LORD sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the LORD and of Samuel.
The people stood in awe of God but did not repent for rejecting God’s leadership!
19 The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”
20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own.
Warning again to fear God!
23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.”
Observation 6: The following taken from https://scripturalthinking.com/examples-of-honesty-in-the-bible/
6. Samuel’s Faithful Leadership is acknowledged at the end of his life by Israel and God.
a. He was a remarkable leader whose faithfulness and integrity had a lasting impact. At the end of his life, Samuel gathers the Israelites and makes a powerful request.
1. He asks them to bear witness and testify against him if he has wronged or taken advantage of anyone during his time as their leader. His request is met with resounding affirmation and serves as a testament to Samuel’s unwavering commitment to honesty and justice.
2. We too need to live and serve with honesty and integrity!
3. Samuel’s faithful leadership highlights the importance of integrity in guiding and inspiring others. Leaders who prioritize honesty not only gain the trust and respect of those they lead but also create an environment of transparency and accountability.
4. Samuel’s request for affirmation reflects the deep-rooted trust he cultivated among the Israelites, resulting in their unwavering support.
b. In a world often characterized by deception and corruption, Samuel’s example serves as a beacon of hope and a call for leaders to prioritize authenticity and honesty.
1. Whether in politics, business, or any other realm of leadership, the affirmation of honesty, like Samuel’s, can propel individuals and communities towards a brighter and more just future.
“Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.” – Psalm 26:1
Conclusion: What to learn from this message!
• Leadership comes with failure and pain but lead anyway!
• Do not choose men to lead you but God to lead you! If you do there will always be a price to pay!
• Be careful what you ask for! You may get it!
• Always be a leader led by God and filled with His Spirit – it’s the Spirit which empowers you to succeed not your own wisdom and strength!
• Always lead like Samuel with integrity and honesty! Do not allow yourself to become dishonest and corrupt!
Application on leadership from our Scripture section today:
Leadership Lessons from Samuel
Samuel’s faithful leadership offers valuable lessons for both current and aspiring leaders:
1. Lead by example:
a. Samuel’s personal commitment to honesty and justice set the standard for those entrusted to his leadership. By embodying the values, they seek to instill in others, leaders can inspire and motivate their followers.
2. Build trust:
a. Samuel’s request for affirmation demonstrates the trust he garnered through his consistent display of integrity. Leaders who prioritize open communication, transparency, and ethical decision-making create an environment of trust, fostering strong relationships and encouraging collaboration.
3. Take responsibility:
a. Samuel’s willingness to be held accountable for any wrongdoing is a testament to his humility and willingness to learn. Leaders who take responsibility for their actions and seek to rectify any mistakes gain the respect and admiration of their team members.
4. Nurture a sense of purpose:
a. Samuel’s servant leadership positioned the needs of the people above his own. Leaders who prioritize the mission and vision of their organization, and who actively work towards the betterment of their team members, cultivate a strong sense of purpose and commitment.
