Tale Of Two Kings

“Tale of Two Kings”

One waited on God, the other didn’t.

Introduction

The historical narrative style of literature comprises nearly half of the Bible. 43%

God chose to reveal Himself in the context of relationships, not a theological text.

We best understand relationships through story.

Everyone loves a good story and nearly half the Bible is story.

Some of the people we encounter lived 800+ years, Scripture obviously only records only a minuscule aspect of their life journey.

We can assume that God inspired those particular snapshots for a reason.

Discovering that reason requires careful exploration.

As Pastor Ian clearly shared in the past two weeks, narrative sections of the Bible provide opportunity to see how Biblical characters lived out their relationship with God and how God responded to them.

Rather than issue direct instruction or specific commands like we find in other parts of the Bible, we gain insight in how to live or how not to live, by observing these brief snapshots from their lives.

It doesn’t take long to conclude that Scripture never sugar-coats anyone’s life.

The level of humanity’s brokenness comes through loud and clear which includes King David.

Jesus’ half-brother James wrote, “We ALL stumble in many ways!”

The Apostle Paul affirmed that all God’s inspired Scripture is profitable for understanding truth or doctrine, reproving destructive behavior, providing course correction, and offering instruction in consistent right living in order to become fully equipped to serve Him.

Today’s passage spotlights two kings of Israel.

In this Tale of Two Kings, we witness one who lived by God’s principles in the present while waiting on God for his future and one who didn’t.

One humbly consulted God for direction on a regular basis and waited on God to answer.

The other lived a life driven by jealousy and selfish ambition.

James wrote:

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James 3:13-16 (ESV)

Today’s glimpse into King David’s life provides some principles that may give us a clue as to how we should live in the present while waiting on God for our future.

No one likes waiting.

We live in an instant everything age.

Our demand for instant results often carries over into our relationship with God.

God how long?

How long until you bring me out of this dark hole?

When will I realize my dream of…?

When is my life going to change?

I know that God orchestrates all things for good but the time lapse between the thing and the good outcome seems like an eternity.

What do we do while waiting?

David’s actions in this chapter provide some clues.

Saul, on the other hand, shows what NOT to do when God seems late.

Ignore God.

Promote and protect yourself.

We need a touch of backstory to our two-scene mini-clip out of Israel’s history.

The nation Israel began as a Theocracy where God ruled but communicated His direction through an appointed prophet/Judge.

God appointed Moses as His first representative.

Moses passed the baton to Joshua.

Joshua passed the leadership to local judges.

Samuel followed a period of judges with a dual responsibility of both judge and prophet of God.

Samuel powerfully represented God, but sadly his kids turned out to be a disaster.

Powerful prophet -- pathetic parent.

This unfortunate situation provoked the people to demand a monarchy system of government similar to the other nations around them.

The thought of Samuel’s kids succeeding him petrified them, even though God had not anointed leadership based on family line up to this point.

They didn’t trust God to provide competent and godly leadership.

And the LORD said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 1 Samuel 8:7 (ESV)

The people picked someone who “looked the part” head and shoulders taller.

Turned out Saul was all about Saul.

Saul represented Saul, not God.

Scripture recorded a series of incidents demonstrating Saul’s commitment to self-promotion and self-preservation rather than waiting on God which resulted in his disqualification as king.

Example 1

Because Samuel the prophet delayed coming to pray and offer sacrifice for God’s blessing before a battle, Saul took it on himself to offer a sacrifice to God hoping to incur God’s blessing and protection.

Saul defended himself to Samuel.

“I said to myself, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which He commanded you. 1 Samuel 13:12-12 (ESV)