I had narrowed it down to three possibilities: a) the Exodus b) the 12 minor prophets or c) the life of David. After thinking about it I decided to wait on the minor prophets until sometime next year when I have a 12 week or more stretch, some of those minor prophets ain't so minor if you know what I mean. I also decided to wait on the Exodus until sometime later as well. And so by simple process of elimination [as well as asking on Facebook and the one parishioner who responded saying King David] I decided to look at the life of David.
When I started thinking about David I was obviously going to start with the story of his being chosen from his many brothers, but then I started thinking 'should we first talk about why David needed to be chosen first?'. This led me to think I should first talk about Saul, but then I decided to take another small (one chapter) step backwards and talk about why there was a king in the first place. And I thought that since I was looking at the story of Saul, the story of why there was need of a king and why a king in the first place I decided that I would tell it in a story format.
To that end I began to set out to rewrite 1 Samuel 8-15. I burned through the rewriting of chapter 8 and the beginning of chapter 9, but then I had to take a break in the writing because of life. When I came back to it I picked up in verse 9 and muddled my way through 10-13, and by that point it was late on Saturday evening and I needed to put Henry to sleep and sleep some myself.
So, I had to abandon my story plan, and go with a 'normal' sermon. I got props from several members so it seemed to go just fine anyway, but there was still a part of me that wishes I could have finished my plan. I still plan to finish my story form someday and maybe do it the way I originally planned if I ever get around to revisiting the scripture. But since I do not know if that day will ever come I will share what I do have completed with you, my constant reader. Enjoy.
Peace and Love,
Pastor K
The Heart of the King: Prologue
8
As best as I recall this is how the story is told. Samuel, a prophet and judge of Israel, appointed by God, was growing old. He had appointed his sons as judges and the people grumbled. The people rose up and came to Samuel and begged him to appoint a king.
Samuel had no love for the idea of appointing a king, and so Samuel did what Samuel always did in times of distress, he went before the Almighty. In his mighty wisdom God understood that it was not that the people had a problem with Samuel, but rather with God’s own leadership. “They have consistently chosen the other as opposed to me, even from the first days when Moses, through my power, led them from out of Egypt.”
God said, “It is not surprising that they would make this request but I need you to explain to them what an earthly king will mean for them.”
Samuel went before the people and spelled it out in clear terms, “If you want a king things will be different. He will take your sons and your daughters, your fields and your work, and your time and your money for his purposes. He will take the best of everything and leave the leftovers for you. And one day you will cry out to the Almighty to save you from this King you plead for today.”
Their reply was simple, and sad. “We choose a king to rule over us so that we will be like all the other nations.”
God understood that from time to time we lowly humans asked for our will instead of his perfect one. To that end, “Give them their king,” was all God could reply.
9
There was a man of power and prestige named Kish, he was a Benjaminite living among the other descendants of Benjamin. And this man had a son named Saul, who was quite attractive, and quite imposing, and who stood taller than any other man in Israel.
Kish lost some of his donkeys and he sent Saul to find them. Saul and his servant traveled through Ephraim, Shalishah, and Shaalim, after that they left the land of Benjamin yet the donkeys were nowhere to be found. They went so far that Saul began to wonder if his father would soon be looking for him as opposed to the donkeys.
His servant told him about a man of God who lived in the region, who might be able to help. After learning that the servant had enough silver that they could present to the man of God as a gift, Saul decided to search this man out. On their way they learned, from a group of girls, that the prophet was preparing a sacrifice.
The day before the Almighty had spoken to Samuel telling him about a young man that would come the same time the next day, a man who would be given strength to lead the Israelites against the Philistines and a man that would be anointed king.
When Samuel first laid eyes on Saul the Almighty spoke again, “This is the man I was talking about, he will rule over my people.”
Samuel invited young Saul to eat the meat of the sacrifice, and told him not to worry about his father’s donkeys for they had already been found. Samuel went on to tell Saul that while the donkeys were of no concern Israel was concerned for Saul and his family.
Saul, being a somewhat humble man told Samuel that he was from a poor family from a small town and the smallest of the 12 tribes. Samuel took Saul and his servant inside and sat them in places of honor and gave them the choice cuts of the meat. They ate, they drank, and they were merry.
The next day Samuel walked with Saul and his servant. “Tell your man to go a little further away so that you and I may talk.”
10
Samuel took a vial of olive oil and poured in onto Saul’s head and kissed him.
“The Almighty has commanded me to anoint you as king over all of Israel. When you leave this place you will first meet two men who will tell you that the donkeys you were searching for have been found and returned to your father. Next you will encounter three men going to make sacrifice, they will give you two loaves of bread. After them you will come across a group of prophets prophesying and you will be caught up in their ecstasy and prophesize as well. The spirit of the Almighty will flow down on you and you will become a different man.”
Saul got up to leave and the Almighty transformed his heart, and everything that Samuel had said would happen did indeed happen. When Saul and his servant finally returned home they encountered Saul’s uncle who asked where they had been. Saul told them about not finding the donkeys and then looking for Samuel who told them that the donkeys had been found. But Saul didn't utter a sound about the anointing.
Sometime later Samuel called all the tribes of Israel together at Mizpah.
“The Almighty has words for you, ‘I brought you from out of Egypt, rescuing you from slavery and then I delivered you from all other nations that would subdue you. ‘ Today though you have rejected the one True God who has rescued you and saved you from every disaster and distress and instead ask for a king to rule over you. If this is indeed what you want line up every tribe before the Almighty.”
Samuel brought all 12 tribes in front of him and chose the tribe of Benjamin by casting lots, then chose the clan of Matrites by casting lots, and then chose Saul’s family and finally Saul himself was chosen as King, but he was nowhere to be found. When they found him he was brought in front of the people whom he stood head and shoulders above.
Samuel again spoke to the people, “Do you see this man that was chosen for you as king? No one among the tribes can compare to this man.”
“Long live the King” the crowd responded.
The people were dismissed, and after leaving gifts for Saul they departed. Saul also departed for home along with a group of warriors that the Almighty had nudged to go with him.
There were, as there often are, some people who scoffed at Saul’s choosing. He is of no standing and comes from lowly Benjamin, how can he protect us?” And they did not give a gift, but Saul was silent.
11
A month later Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, besieged Jabesh-gilead. The people of Jabesh attempted to make a treaty with Nahash. “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, and one condition only, you must allow me to put out the right eye of every one of you so that all of Israel will be humiliated.” To this the people replied, “give us 7 days and if no help comes we will surrender under those terms.”
Messengers were sent out to all corners of the land, when they came to Gibeah, the land where ruled the people of Gibeah wept out loud for their suffering. Saul, who had been out plowing fields entered during this commotion and asked what was going on.
Upon hearing of the peoples trials Saul, overcome by the spirit of God, took a team of oxen cut them to pieces and sent them throughout the land of Israel with his first royal decree: “May those who refuse to answer the call be torn apart like this.” The people were afraid of Saul and the Almighty, and so they sent men numbering 300,000, 30,000 from Judah alone.
The messengers of Jabesh were sent back with the news of help. Then the people declared to Nahash that they would surrender the next day. That night though Saul forces entered the Ammonite camp and slaughtered them until the next afternoon. They were so decimated that it is said you could no longer find two Ammonites together.
The people came to Samuel and declared that those who had previously scoffed at Saul would now be punished, but Saul said, “No one will die today because the Almighty has given us this great victory.” Instead Samuel declared that the people return to Gibeah and crown Saul as King. People from all the tribes journeyed to Gibeah and there they offered sacrifices to God, crowned Saul king, and partied like never before.
12
To this point a king has not been a bad move on the part of Israel, they were in a time of trouble and the King saved them, they continued to praise the Almighty and Saul continued to follow him as well. But sometimes blessings aren't the blessings we think they are at first.
Samuel again stood before all of Israel and asked them if they had complaints with him as they did his sons. “Have I done you any kind of wrong, if I have speak now, to the Almighty and I will stand condemned.”
“You have never cheated us, never threatened us, and have never taken anything from anyone.”
“Then let the Almighty see that you have found me innocent of any wrongdoing.”
“He is our witness.”
Samuel then went on to detail all that God had done for them since the time of Jacob. How he had delivered them time and time again. How they had continually waffled between praise and bad behavior. How God had continued to take care of them and forgive them when they would turn back to him. He then reminded them that by wanting an earthly king they spit in the face of their eternal king. But even now if they would follow God’s commands then they and their king would still find favor.
The people begged Samuel to pray to God on their behalf so that they would not perish because of adding their desire for a king to their already hefty sins.
“Do not be afraid, before you chose God, God had already chosen you. Follow him and he will continue to protect and bless you. As for me I will always continue to pray for you, anything less would be a sin against the Almighty.”
13
How many steps does it take to move away from God? Just one step.
A series of events started with Saul’s son Jonathan destroying a group of Philistines at Geba. Saul was so happy that he told all of Israel to rejoice at this victory. The people heard the glorious news of Jonathan’s victory but they also heard that the victory had enraged the Philistines. Saul called the people to come and they came, yet they were deeply afraid at the same time.
Now the Philistines had gathered a large force with 6000 horsemen, 30000 chariots and so many soldiers that they were like the grains of sand on a beach. When the people of Israel saw this they hid in caves and holes in the ground, among rocks and tombs and cisterns, some even ran away. Saul remained with the people who remained and continued to see his numbers dwindle.
Now Samuel had told Saul to wait for seven days and then Samuel would arrive and give offerings of peace and victory. Saul waited the seven days and Samuel was nowhere to be seen, so Saul waited a few more days and then decided to do the burnt offering himself even though he was neither prophet nor priest.
The aroma of the sacrifice still lingered in the air when Samuel finally arrived and realized the harm that had been done. “What have you done?” Saul replied, “I did what needed to be done, the people were deserting me and you were late, and the Philistines are knocking at my door. I knew I needed the blessing of the Almighty and you weren't here to ask for it, so I did.”
With a voice like thunder Samuel responded, “You fool, you fail to follow the commands of God. God who would have established your rule forever, but will now move your anointing to another.”
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