SAMUEL REBUKES SAUL (vs. 1-15)
Saul was 30 years old when he became king and he ruled for 42 years over Israel. Saul chose three thousand men from Israel, two thousand were with him at Micmash and Bethel while one thousand men were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin.
Jonathan attacked the Philistines outpost at Gilgal and Saul summoned the people to join him at Gilgal. The Philistines assembled with three thousand chariots, six thousand charioteers and numerous soldiers. They camped at Micmash. When the Israelites saw them, they hid in caves and thickets, rocks, pets and cisterns. Some crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.
Saul remained at Gilgal for 7 days waiting for Samuel to come. All the troops were quaking with fear so they began to scatter. Saul decided to offer the burnt and fellowship offerings to the Lord. As Samuel arrived, he reprimanded Saul for acted against God’s command by offering sacrifices himself. Therefore, his kingdom will not endure. The Lord had sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him as leader of His people. Samuel left Gilgal and went to Gibeah in Benjamin. Only 600 men were left with Saul.
ISRAEL WITHOUT WEAPONS (vs. 16-22)
Saul and his son Jonathan and the men with them were staying at Gibeah in Benjamin while the Philistines camped at Micmash. The Philistines were divided into 3 detachment. One to Ophrah, another toward Beth Horon and the third towards the borderland overlooking the valley of Zeboim facing the desert.
There were no blacksmith to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes and sickles. So they went down to the Philistines to sharpen and paid 2/3 of a shekel for sharpening plowshares and mattocks and a third of a shekel for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.
THOUGHTS:
FAILURES OF SAUL:
- He failed to act decisively. It was Jonathan, his son who declared war by attacking one of the Philistines garrisons but Saul took the credit by blowing the horn to rally the people.
- He failed to inspire the people. Many ran away and those remained were fearful.
- He failed to wait. he did not wait for Samuel to offer the burn offerings and fellowship offering and did it himself in rebellion against the Lord’s command. His impatience costs him the kingdom
- He made excuses and blamed Samuel for not coming on the set time so that he was compelled to make the burn offering.
Jonathan attacked and destroyed the Philistines outpost but Saul took all the credit for it. Taking credit for the accomplishment of others indicates that pride is controlling your life. Be sure to give credit to those who deserve it.
The Israelites panicked when they saw the Philistine army. They forgot that God was on their side. As you face problems and temptations, focus your attention in God and his resources, trusting Him to help you.
Under pressure from the approaching Philistines, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifice which was against God’s law. Offering a sacrifice to the Lord is a good thing, but he did it in the wrong way. Beware of the methods you use to accomplish your goals.
When Saul felt that time was running out, he became impatient with God’s timing. He substituted the ritual for faith in God. When face with a difficult situation, do no allow impatience to drive you into disobeying God. God uses delays to test our obedience and patience. Follow His plan regardless of the outcome.