<\/p>\n
1 Samuel 9:1-12:25<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0<\/p>\n Can you imagine hearing these words of Samuel if you were Saul in First Samuel 9:20 today: \u201cAnd I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel\u2019s hopes.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 All you are doing is looking for your dad\u2019s lost donkeys and all of the sudden you hear this from the seer!\u00a0 Whew\u2026\u00a0 \u00a0You know though \u2013 I will say this.\u00a0 Being in relationship with God is always an adventure.\u00a0 I think oftentimes we will start out on a journey to do one thing and God ends up taking us some place completely different.\u00a0 Saul is about to embark on an adventure.\u00a0 You and I have the opportunity to embark on an adventure with God each and every day.\u00a0 I know that there are many times that God sends me into places & situations I would have never thought imaginable.\u00a0 That\u2019s the adventure of faith.\u00a0 It truly is not boring!\u00a0 I honestly think that life apart from God is truly boring.\u00a0 The secular life is boring.\u00a0 The materialistic life is boring.\u00a0 If you are feeling bored these days, will you break free and wholeheartedly pursue an adventurous relationship with the Lord?<\/span><\/p>\n An image is below for 1 Samuel 9:11 today \u2013 \u201cAs they were climbing a hill toward the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water. So Saul and his servant asked, \u201cIs the seer here today?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Okay \u2013 I have a temporary new favorite verse in the Bible!\u00a0 Today in First Samuel chapter 10 verse 22 when they were about to name Saul king, but they couldn\u2019t find him: \u201cSo they asked the LORD, \u201cWhere is he?\u201d And the LORD replied, \u201cHe is hiding among the baggage.\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 That is awesome!\u00a0 I really appreciate the fact that Saul was hiding among the baggage.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 I think that\u2019s where I would be too.\u00a0 I hope I would be in any case.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s a bit scary when someone is too lustful for power.\u00a0 Better to have your future king hiding in the baggage\u2026\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n (sorry, couldn\u2019t resist this photo\u2026 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 I suppose this image below would be more appropriate for Saul being named king as we read in verse 24: \u201cThen Samuel said to all the people, \u201cThis is the man the LORD has chosen as your king. No one in all Israel is his equal!\u201d And all the people shouted, \u201cLong live the king!\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n In First Samuel chapter 11 we see Saul really step into his role as king by defending the city of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites attack.\u00a0 Verse 2 was sad to consider when the Ammonite king said this to the citizens of Jabesh-gilead \u2013 \u201c\u201dAll right,\u201d Nahash said, \u201cbut only on one condition. I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you as a disgrace to all Israel!\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Gouging out the right eye would be done for humiliation purposes \u2013 but also to destroy the military ability of the archers.\u00a0 After this point, Saul gets word back in his hometown that Jabesh-gilead is under attack.\u00a0 Below is a powerful painting by the artist James Tissot from the year 1896 of verses 6 & 7: \u201cThen the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he became very angry. 7<\/span> He took two oxen and cut them into pieces and sent the messengers to carry them throughout Israel with this message: \u201cThis is what will happen to the oxen of anyone who refuses to follow Saul and Samuel into battle!\u201d\u201d<\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n I was impressed with Saul\u2019s graciousness in verses 12 & 13 of this chapter: \u201cThen the people exclaimed to Samuel, \u201cNow where are those men who said Saul shouldn\u2019t rule over us? Bring them here, and we will kill them!\u201d But Saul replied, \u201cNo one will be executed today, for today the LORD has rescued Israel!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Impressive.\u00a0 You could see where after defeating the Ammonites, Israel\u2019s adrenaline might be running high to go after dissenters.\u00a0 Saul put a stop to it, which was impressive.\u00a0 What about us today?\u00a0 When we are riding high on a victory of some sort and the group around us says we should forge ahead on something that does not seem right, can we stand up and say \u201cNo\u201d to the group as Saul did on this day?<\/span><\/p>\n I like First Samuel 12 verse 7 today when Samuel says this to the Israelites: \u201cNow stand here quietly before the LORD as I remind you of all the great things the LORD has done for you and your ancestors\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Just like the Israelites needed reminding all the great things God has done, we need reminding today as well.\u00a0 We are a forgetful people.\u00a0 I honestly believe reading God\u2019s Word, the Bible, each day is a great way to \u201cremember\u201d all that God has done for each of us and our spiritual ancestors.\u00a0 I know that I need this daily reminder\u2026\u00a0 How about you?<\/span><\/p>\n Verse 23 is intriguing when Samuel says \u2013 \u201cAs for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.\u201d <\/em>It sounds like if Samuel stopped his prayers for the Israelites, he would be sinning.\u00a0 Interesting.\u00a0 What about us today?\u00a0 Does God call us at times to pray for others?\u00a0 And if we do not respond to this call and do not pray for others, are we sinning?\u00a0 \u00a0Interesting food for thought.\u00a0 I guess it\u2019s just a safer bet to continue praying for others!\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on 1 Samuel\u2019s readings today titled \u201cGive us a King!\u201d <\/strong>is <\/span>at this link<\/span>, \u201cThe making of Israel\u2019s first king\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and commentary titled \u201cRenewing the Kingdom\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> .<\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in 1 Samuel reminded me of David Crowder\u2019s song \u201cHere is our King:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n