Samuel: Saul Beginning to Lose the Kingdom

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: I Samuel 13:10-15
Psalters: 404, 253, 86, 253
  1. Saul?s weakness as king.
    1. Jonathan (not Saul) was victorious over a garrison of Philistines (3), but Saul attributed the victory to himself (4).
    2. The Philistines gathered a powerful force and moved into Israel?s territory (5).
      1. Israel as a whole trembled (6), for they and Saul knew that his 3,000 army could expect only defeat.
      2. Saul searched out Samuel to find out what to do (Samuel had helped with his father?s lost asses).
    3. For Saul the matter of sacrifice and prayer was a superstitious activity to drive away the Philistines.
    4. Saul had no sooner offered a sacrifice (9), than Samuel appeared.
  2. Samuel?s righteous response.
    1. Samuel pushes aside all the shallow excuses: ?done foolishly,? not kept the commandment of Jehovah thy God.?
      1. Samuel makes clear that it was Jehovah his God who commanded that Saul wait seven days.
      2. Twice Samuel charged Saul with disobedience to Jehovah (13a, 14b).
    2. Samuel adds the terrifying words to Saul that the kingdom would not continue in his generations (13b,14).
    3. The rest of the chapter describes how the Philistines raided (spoiled) non-defended portions of Israel (17ff).
    4. While this chapter highlights Israel?s helplessness, there is yet reason for hope.