Samuel: Renewing the Kingdom
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
10/5/2014 PM
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Text:
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I Samuel 11:14-12:25
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Psalters: |
237, 229, 240, 413 |
- Israel’s wickedness.
- In asking for a king Israel had violated God’s covenant and rejected her only King (8:7,8; 10:17-19; 12:12,17).
- This requires a renewed expression of allegiance to God (11:14).
- They all must accept Saul as king (10:27 & 11:12,13) and they all must re-accept God’s kingdom rule over them.
- Samuel begins by displaying the wickedness of their request.
- God’s care had been through Samuel, and could they accuse Samuel (and God’s use of him) of anything? No!
- Nor could Israel accuse Jehovah of failing them, but on the contrary, Jehovah only dealt with them in grace.
- Samuel makes clear that their safety does not depend on a king but whether they fear/obey Jehovah (14,15).
- God powerfully demonstrates Jehovah’s just response to their wicked motive behind their request for a king.
- Without pausing, Samuel demonstrates God’s ability to make things bad if they do not fear/obey Him (16ff).
- So stand and see what Jehovah will do (16). A severe thunderstorm which destroys their wheat harvest.
- This showed what destruction God was able to bring on them as a curse for disobedience (Deut. 28:15-68).
- A king cannot keep them safe from God’s thunderstorm.
- This affected Israel as a whole: they feared both Jehovah and Samuel (18b).
- Is there any hope for those who do all this wickedness? Yes, because of grace there is a hopeful future (20,21,24).
- When His people come to see their sin for what it is, then God assures them that He “will not forsake His people.”
- This can be because God’s covenant is sovereign and gracious; and because it is “for His great name’s sake.”
- God’s gracious work spurs us forward to fear Him and serve Him with our all.
- We respond in fear and love because of gratitude!
- Samuel responds to the people request for prayers (19a) by promising to pray ceaselessly (23).