Interviewers love to ask leaders, “How did this happen? How did you get started?”
For Saul, the answer has two parts. First, he was publicly anointed as king by the prophet Samuel as described in chapters 8-10. But then like everyone else he returned to his home. Not only was Saul a humble and perhaps even a timid man; the idea of having a king or being a king was so new that nobody knew exactly what to do.
Read More Holy Spirit, leadershipMany great leaders have found it difficult to pass on the baton of leadership. Samuel was different!
At a public meeting, Samuel did five things:
Read More faithfulness, leadershipWhenever I read this story, I feel sorry for Saul.
He is in the early stages of leadership, is getting the army established when his son Jonathan wins a skirmish with their old enemies the Philistines that leads to a declaration of war.
Israel was vastly outnumbered militarily and the people “had so much confidence in their army” that many went into hiding, some even fled to the east of Jordan!
Read More testing, leadershipIt was a second chance for Saul. He could have been a key player in God’s long term justice.
When God’s chosen people Israel were delivered from Egypt, the nation of Amalek was the first to attack them. God declared his enduring opposition to Amelek (Exodus 17:8-16), but gave them 400+ years to repent.
Read More obedience, leadership, failureSamuel had a struggle between his head and his heart. Mentally he knew that God had rejected Saul. But emotionally Samuel grieved and still longed for God’s blessing on Saul.
The great prophet Samuel now is fearful of his protégé Saul; what if he finds out about this anointing of a new king? I love the fact that God grants this dear servant a “cover” for his trip to Bethlehem. “Take a heifer with you”. It worked perfectly!
Read More heart, God’s purposes, appearancesThe Philistines have more than recovered from their defeat at the hands of Saul (vv 13-14). Now, twenty some years later they have a not so secret weapon. The weapon’s name is Goliath.
To this day the valley of Elah is a completely open area, no buildings in sight. On that day it was crawling with Philistines, horses and Israelites!
Jesse must have been anxious, he had three sons in the army at a time when King Saul was becoming increasingly unfit for his role and the enemy seemed invincible.
Read More good questions, God’s perspectiveEliab’s pride is pricked by David’s questions. He, like the rest of the soldiers, “knows they are in a hopeless situation”. Having his kid brother show up, challenging the negative “group think” of the army is embarrassing to him.
But David’s curiosity, faith and honest questions are like a breath of fresh air among the demoralized troops of Israel, so much so that word of David’s positive presence reaches Saul.
Read More faith, confidence, young peopleOutstanding athletes, musicians and actors often struggle to cope with the trappings of stardom. David the harpist turned giant killer also had to face the challenges that accompany heroism!
It’s a little surprising that Saul had to ask his general Abner who David was. After all David had been in the palace playing his harp for Saul during his bouts with depression (16:14-23).
Read More success, God’s presence, jealousyHow does this story relate to the commandment “Honour your father and your mother”? (Deuteronomy 5:16) What if one of your parents is an addict, mentally ill or demonized? How can you honour them? The obvious and general teaching is to honour your parents, but there are limitations to honouring parents that are incapacitated in some way. Jonathan understood this principle as he respectfully but persistently challenged his father Saul.
Read More God’s purposes, protection, God’s presenceEven though David and Jonathan had remarkable chemistry together, their friendship was severely tested by their mutual relationship with Jonathan’s father, King Saul.
Good friends don’t hide their differences and struggles from each other. David and Jonathan put their differing perspectives “on the table”. For David, it was a matter of life and death. They did not argue or debate unnecessarily; instead they decided to invite God to show them the path they should take.
Read More covenant, friendship, commitment