Today we see a little more what king Saul is truly like. God doesn’t arrive in Saul’s timing he takes things into his own hands. Yet God still blessed him for a season. Have a look and be blessed in your reading and prayers.
1 Samuel 13: Saul Fights the Philistines
1 Saul lived for one year and then became king, and when he had reigned for two years over Israel,
2 Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent home, every man to his tent.
3 Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear."
4 And all Israel heard it said that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become a stench to the Philistines. And the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal.
5 And the Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven.
6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns,
7 and some Hebrews crossed the fords of the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice
8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.
9 So Saul said, "Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings." And he offered the burnt offering.
10 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him.
11 Samuel said, "What have you done?" And Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash,
12 I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favour of the LORD.' So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering."
13 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. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."
15 And Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal. The rest of the people went up after Saul to meet the army; they went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men.
16 And Saul and Jonathan his son and the people who were present with them stayed in Geba of Benjamin, but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
17 And raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual;
18 another company turned toward Beth-horon; and another company turned toward the border that looks down on the Valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
19 Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears."
20 But every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his ploughshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle,
21 and the charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the ploughshares and for the mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening the axes and for setting the goads.
22 So on the day of the battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan, but Saul and Jonathan his son had them.
23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.
1 Samuel 14: Jonathan Defeats the Philistines
1 One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armour, "Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side." But he did not tell his father.
2 Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah in the pomegranate cave at Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men,
3 including Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the LORD in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.
4 Within the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side. The name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
5 The one crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
6 Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armour, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few."
7 And his armour-bearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul."
8 Then Jonathan said, "Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them.
9 If they say to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them.
10 But if they say, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up, for the LORD has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us."
11 So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, "Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves."
12 And the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armour-bearer and said, "Come up to us, and we will show you a thing." And Jonathan said to his armour-bearer, "Come up after me, for the LORD has given them into the hand of Israel."
13 Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armour-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armour-bearer killed them after him.
14 And that first strike, which Jonathan and his armour-bearer made, killed about twenty men within as it were half a furrow's length in an acre of land.
15 And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even the raiders trembled, the earth quaked, and it became a very great panic.
16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there.
17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, "Count and see who has gone from us." And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armour-bearer were not there.
18 So Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God here." For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel.
19 Now while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."
20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold, every Philistine's sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion.
21 Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
22 Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle.
23 So the LORD saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven.
Saul's Rash Vow
24 And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, "Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies." So none of the people had tasted food.
25 Now when all the people came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground.
26 And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.
27 But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright.
28 Then one of the people said, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, 'Cursed be the man who eats food this day.'" And the people were faint.
29 Then Jonathan said, "My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey.
30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great."
31 They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint.
32 The people pounced on the spoil and took sheep and oxen and calves and slaughtered them on the ground. And the people ate them with the blood.
33 Then they told Saul, "Behold, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood." And he said, "You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here."
34 And Saul said, "Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, 'Let every man bring his ox or his sheep and slaughter them here and eat, and do not sin against the LORD by eating with the blood.'" So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night and they slaughtered them there.
35 And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.
36 Then Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until the morning light; let us not leave a man of them." And they said, "Do whatever seems good to you." But the priest said, "Let us draw near to God here."
37 And Saul inquired of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?" But he did not answer him that day.
38 And Saul said, "Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has arisen today.
39 For as the LORD lives who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die." But there was not a man among all the people who answered him.
40 Then he said to all Israel, "You shall be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side." And the people said to Saul, "Do what seems good to you."
41 Therefore Saul said, "O LORD God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O LORD, God of Israel, give Urim. But if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim." And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped.
42 Then Saul said, "Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan." And Jonathan was taken.
43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." And Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die."
44 And Saul said, "God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan."
45 Then the people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the LORD lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people ransomed Jonathan, so that he did not die.
46 Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
Saul Fights Israel's Enemies
47 When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned he routed them.
48 And he did valiantly and struck the Amalekites and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.
49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchi-shua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn was Merab, and the name of the younger Michal.
50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
51 Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
52 There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.
Things to think about…
1. In 1Sam 13 Saul shows his true colours. A description of his length of service in verse 1 in the original is unclear so the ESV translates 1 and 2 years. Some bibles have 40 years and 42 years. This is certainly not accurate. In any event, the text is like a reflection on his tenure as king. The Philistines are against them with iron chariots and foot soldiers. The Israelites are afraid and are hiding. It seems that the previous lessons and victories have been forgotten. Have you experienced that in your life? You have seen God mightily bless in the past, but have struggled in being obedient and trusting Him in every season? This is necessary for strengthening our faith. What is your immediate response in a time of crises? Has this response changed over the years?
2. After waiting a week people started to get scared and leave the battle site. Saul couldn’t wait for Samuel to bring the offering or prayer any longer and so does it himself. He is not a priest and not authorised to do it, so he acts rashly on his own behalf. The next day of course Samuel arrives, 1Sam 13:8-15. It is at this point Saul is told that the kingdom will not remain with him. This generally means it will not remain in his family line and it will not be passed to his son. Our actions affect our children and those around us. Can you think of a situation where you acted unwisely and others have had to deal with the consequences and fall-out of your poor choices?
3. In 1Sam 14:1-23 Saul’s son Jonathon shows himself to be a man of faith and boldness. While others are hiding and holding back, he prays and asks for a sign for the Lord’s blessing. This is received and he defeats the enemy. This is used to stir up the rest of Israel to take courage – and the Philistines are defeated. Sometimes the boldness and the faith of one person is all that is needed to see the Lord’s mighty hand. Let’s do as the missionary William Carey had it “To expect great things from God and attempt great things for God”. Do you recall a time when the situation seemed hopeless and yet you acted in faith and the Lord showed His mercy and grace? This may have been with a health or a finance issue. Or perhaps a difficult relational situation or the final provision of employment after a long period without it. Faith in Christ will see you through.
4. In 1Sam 14:24 Saul makes a vow that no-one should taste any food until the Philistines had been defeated. This was foolish thing to do of course. But it was binding. Jonathon didn’t hear the vow and was used by God to lead the charge to defeat the enemy. The people do defeat the Philistines but not as much as they could have because they were weary. When they stop to recover, they even drink the blood from the sheep and cattle they had captured. This was against the law of Moses. Jesus says, woe to those who cause even a little child to sin and fall morally. This is what Saul had done with his rash vow. The same can happen today when leaders make unwise choices. We are seeing this with Russia at the moment and many innocent people are losing their lives, both Ukrainian and Russian. Pray for the leaders in the church to make godly decisions. Pray for our country’s leaders to make decisions that will enhance the opportunity for people to hear the gospel.
5. Saul was still a mighty leader and blessed by the Lord. We read in 1Sam 14:47 that “he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned he routed them”. This endeared him in the eyes of all Israel yet we see Saul as a worldly wise man, not showing patience, but was impetuous. As Samuel prophesied we see him taking the best young men for himself, vs 52 and placing them in armed service.
Vision Point for cell groups – Cell groups on break over the school holidays
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sunday’s sermon “Hannah the hero” – reading 1 Samuel 1:1-20
1. Have you ever felt something was not fair? You or a close friend or relative was going through something, yet others seem to be better off. Peninnah was blessed with children and godly Hannah was not, how is this fair?
2. Elkanah didn’t say the wisest thing to his wife here. Elkanah loved Hannah but he didn’t understand her needs here. Why is this a critical issue for the praying husband. Discuss 1Pet 3:7.
3. Hannah is blessed with Samuel and then fulfills her vow. Discuss why this is important and how it involves faith. What happened for Hannah as a result.
4. What is truly fair in this life? Discuss the sacrifice of Christ on your behalf and having a right perspective of fairness as a result. How should we act as a result?
5. Pray for each other, for those cleaning up after the flood and the Ukraine situation.
Prayer Points
1. Pray about your support to the floods in Qld and also to the Polish Baptist Church in Chelm efforts to support Ukrainian refugees. This is the church we will be supporting. You will need google chrome to translate https://baptysci-chelm.pl/kontakt .
2. Pray for the flood clean-up and all those affected a second and third time round.
3. Sally Gauntlett has been admitted to care. Please pray for Richard and the family through this challenging time.
4. Ross Goltz is in constant pain. Has constant hip and joint pain. Seeking specialist help. Please pray for relief.
5. Families that have just started attending CBC.
6. Ukraine to repel Russia and peace to come.
7. Christ to be seen through us in our community.
8. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
9. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. People visiting church on Sunday.
2. Another fine week. Pray for flood clean-up alone the east coast.
3. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
4. Covid restrictions lifted – no masks.
Announcements
1. Donation funds will be set up to assist a Polish Baptist Church with Ukrainian refugees. Please label your donation – Ukraine appeal. The same will be the case for those who have gone through the floods in Qld. Label Flood appeal.
2. A new cell group has started at the church for residents around Karalee. Wed 7pm at church.
3. Kidz@Church every Sunday
4. Members Meeting 20th March after the service.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
6. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for March...
Q. 1. Did Christ remain in the grave after his crucifixion? A. No; he rose from the grave on the third day after his death.
Bible Reference – Luke. 24:45-47; 1Cor.15:3&4.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
