Power Up - The Power of Choice - 1 Samuel 13 and 16 - July 4, 2010

Bible Study – Power Up – The Power of Choice – July 4, 2010

We begin a new series of study entitled “Power Up.” We will continue in 1 Samuel and study the life of David. David was a man after GOD’S own heart, yet he made some very bad decisions. But he repented and asked GOD to forgive him and restore him.

Our scripture in today’s study is 1 Samuel 13; 8-14 and 16:6-13.

Here is an overview of our study for July:
July 4 – The Power of Choice – GOD chooses HIS children for service based upon our potential from HIS prospective. (1 Samuel 13 and 16)
July 11 – The Power of Courage – GOD provides courage when it is needed. (1 Samuel 17)
July 18 – The Power of Petition – Seek GOD and follow HIS leadership regardless of the outcome. (1 Samuel 22:17-20; 23:1-6, 9-13)
July 25 – The Power of Loyalty – GOD rewards righteousness and loyalty. (1 Samuel 24 and 26)

In today’s study, we need to look at the responsibility of Samuel in being obedient to carry out GOD’S plan. We will see that Samuel had his favorite choice for king but GOD had chosen the one HE wanted to be king to replace Saul. GOD told Samuel that man looks on the outward appearance whereas HE looks at the heart of a person and what he or she is capable of doing according to HIS plan and purpose. This is interesting, in that GOD knows the outcome of a life, yet HE chooses a person knowing he or she will make a very bad decision.

The world selects according to a certain look. The CEO has to look a certain way, be a certain height, hair styled a certain way, speak well, have the right connections and the list goes on and on. He or she may be charismatic but be a poor leader and visionary. They have no substance. Most do not know the companies they are trying to lead and lead them into disaster.

It is interesting to consider the fact that GOD chose Saul to be king. Now HE wanted to replace Saul because of the bad decision and act of taking on the duties of Samuel. Did GOD make a mistake? We have to keep in mind that GOD allows every human to make his or her own decisions.

In our study today, we will see that Saul made the wrong decision, overstepped his authority and had to suffer the consequences. GOD knew that he would but it would still fit HIS plan and purpose. Saul was a place holder until David grew and matured enough to assume the role of king. We have to consider David and the bad decisions he made. Yet, GOD allowed David to be king. GOD knew David’s heart and GOD knew that David would repent of his sins; GOD would forgive him and he would suffer the consequences of his sins. The life of David is a powerful message to every Christian. David was a man after GOD’S own heart, yet he fell into terrible sin. No matter how Spiritual you think you are, you can fall into terrible sin in a heartbeat. Satan is our enemy and he seeks to compromise, defeat and destroy the witness of every Christian. Maintain a healthy relationship with GOD through CHRIST.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 13:8-14:

Saul, however, was still at Gilgal, and all his troops were gripped with fear. 8 He waited seven days for the appointed time that Samuel had set, but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the troops were deserting him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring me the • burnt offering and the • fellowship offerings.” Then he offered the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. So Saul went out to greet him, 11 and Samuel asked, “What have you done?” Saul answered, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me and you didn’t come within the appointed days and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash (MIK mash), 12 I thought: The Philistines will now descend on me at Gilgal, and I haven’t sought the Lord’s favor. So I forced myself to offer the burnt offering.” 13 Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish. You have not kept the command which the Lord your God gave you. It was at this time that the Lord would have permanently established your reign over Israel, 14 but now your reign will not endure. The Lord has found a man loyal to Him,[12] Lit man according to His heart [13] 1 Sm 16:7; Ac 13:22 and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.”

Saul and his army were waiting for the arrival of Samuel at Gilgal. Samuel was to bless them for a large battle against the Philistines. King Saul got impatient and took matters into his own hands and did what only Samuel was supposed to do. How often do we take matters into our own hands to see it blow up in our face? Did GOD purposely cause Samuel to delay? I think so. Saul had a decision to make. In whom did Saul place his trust – “Do I wait upon the LORD or do I take matters into my own hands?” We know his decision and we get to see the results. If he had waited upon the LORD, then that would have shown who he trusted and that would have resulted in him being made king permanently.

Christians must learn to wait upon the LORD. What do you do when the LORD seems to have gone fishing? Wait! It is the hardest thing for me to do and how often I have to pay for my impatience.

King Saul gave his reason why he did what he did. Did it matter? YES! All his excuses did not overcome his disobedience. It cost him being declared king of Israel permanently. Samuel had to tell Saul, the very man the LORD had called to be king and the man Samuel had anointed as king, he would be replaced. It all hinged on waiting a little longer and let Samuel function in his appointed position as priest. Was this cruel of GOD? GOD wants faithful and obedient men and women to serve HIM. GOD will test HIS children. How will we measure up? Do we “power up” ourselves or do we wait and let GOD “power us up”? It is clear that we must wait upon the LORD, unless HE leads us differently. This is where we must have the right relationship with GOD through CHRIST to discern between the flesh leading and the SPIRIT leading.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 16:1-10:

Samuel Anoints David

1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel?[1] 1 Sm 13:13–14; 15:23 Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected a king from his sons.” 2 Samuel asked, “How can I go? Saul will hear [about it]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. and kill me!” The Lord answered, “Take a young cow with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate to you.”[2] 1 Sm 9:16 4 Samuel did what the Lord directed and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled[3] LXX reads were astonished and asked, “Do[4] DSS, LXX read Seer, do you come in peace?” 5 “In peace,” he replied. “I’ve come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.”[5] LXX reads and rejoice with me today Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Certainly the Lord’s anointed one is here before Him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the Lord sees,[6] LXX reads God does not see as a man sees for man sees what is visible,[7] Lit what is of the eyes but the Lord sees the heart.”[8] 1 Kg 8:39; Jr 17:10; Jn 2:24–25 8 Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. “The Lord hasn’t chosen this one either,” Samuel said. 9 Then Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The Lord hasn’t chosen this one either.” 10 After Jesse presented seven of his sons to him, Samuel told Jesse, “The Lord hasn’t chosen any of these.” 11 Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?”

When you choose someone for a job, your hope and ego is riding along with them in many cases. Although GOD chose Saul, Samuel had a role in anointing him to be king. Samuel grieved over how foolish Saul had been by taking matters into his own hands. GOD intervened and told Samuel in essence, “Get over it and move on because I have work for you to do.” Often we can get bogged down in the failure of a person in leadership in our church – pastor, deacon, Sunday school teacher, prominent and active member and the list goes on. Don’t let their failure cause you to stumble and stop obediently serving the LORD. Keep in mind that anyone of us can fall at any moment. Just as Peter wanted to walk on water and meet JESUS as HE walked on water. As long as Peter kept his eyes on JESUS, he walked on water. The moment he took his eyes off of JESUS, he began to sink. He cried out and JESUS reached out to him. In the midst of life’s struggles, we must keep our eyes upon JESUS.

GOD still had work for Samuel to do. He needed to select a replacement for Saul. GOD’S plan and purpose continues regardless. So Samuel filled his horn with oil and went as GOD directed him. He went to Jesse of Bethlehem to select the next king from Jesse’s sons. He did not announce it along the way what his mission was because that would have been detrimental to him and his mission.

GOD gave specific instructions to Samuel. Samuel was concerned that Saul would hear that he was going to Bethlehem and put two and two together that he was going to anoint someone to replace him. The end result would be that Saul would have him killed. GOD gave Samuel cover. He was to go to Bethlehem to sacrifice a young cow. He was on a spiritual mission. Sacrificing a young cow meant that the meat would be shared, so it was an opportune time to invite Jesse and his sons to share in the meal and check out Jesse’s sons.

When Samuel arrived in Bethlehem the elders were very concerned with Samuel coming to their town unannounced. When a priest came unexpectedly it could mean they had done something wrong and he was going to announce that GOD was going to punish them. They wanted to know whether or not he was coming in “peace”. He assured them that he was coming in “peace”. What a relief that was to the Bethlehem’s leadership.

Samuel arrived in Bethlehem and Jesse and his sons were invited to the sacrifice. Samuel had to consecrate Jesse and his sons for the ceremony. When they arrived, Samuel immediately zeroed in on Eliab, Jesse’s oldest son, as the one to be king. But GOD immediately told Samuel that Eliab was not the one. Samuel was looking at Eliab’s stature and handsome appearance. He must have looked the role of a king. GOD said, no. HE looks on the inside of a person and not on the outward appearance.
This is a strong message to us today. Many of us look at the outward appearance of a person and make a judgment about that person, good or bad. Many people play the game and appear to be what they are not. Christians can play the game of being a Christian. Being a Christian in right relationship with GOD through CHRIST is a journey. It begins the instant of salvation, being filled with the HOLY SPIRIT and continues for life.

Jesse had other sons - Abinadab and Shammah who were also rejected. Jesse presented all of his sons who were at home. All were rejected. Samuel must have wondered if he had missed something. Don’t most of us start second guessing when we are about out of options? Samuel pressed on.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 16:11-13:

11 Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” he answered, “but right now he’s tending the sheep.” Samuel told Jesse, “Send for him. We won’t sit down to eat until he gets here.” 12 So Jesse sent for him. He had beautiful eyes and a healthy,[9] Or reddish handsome appearance.[10] 1 Sm 17:42 Then the Lord said, “Anoint him, for he is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil, anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord took control of David from that day forward.[11] Ps 51:10–12; Ezk 36:27; Ac 2:1–17 Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

Samuel asked Jesse if these were all of his sons. Samuel must have breathed a sigh of relief when Jesse responded that he had one more son. At least this gave Samuel hope for a positive outcome.

Samuel asked Jesse to send for him. In fact, they would not eat until this last son arrived. This likely was done to make sure the person who went for him did not tarry along the way. When Samuel saw David, the LORD confirmed that he was the one. Samuel did not hesitate. He anointed David with the horn of oil and the Spirit of the LORD fell upon David.

David was chosen for a special calling. The anointing with oil signified that David was set aside or was being consecrated or dedicated to the LORD for service. David’s brothers likely did not know what David was being set aside to do. Saul was king and GOD was preparing the way to replace him.

How exciting that must have been for David. He knew he was being called for special serve to the LORD. But was it smooth sailing from that moment on? We will see. Being called of the LORD does not always mean things will go well but it does mean GOD is in control. It means that all that happens to you is intentional and designed to build the relationship between you and GOD. Life’s circumstances will equip you and empower you to obediently serve according to HIS plan and purpose. We will get to see David’s journey as we study this month.

HAPPY AND SAFE 4th of JULY to all in the United States of America. It is a time for every American to remember our great heritage and also to know that apathy can take that heritage away before we know it. GOD is still in control but HE demands obedience from HIS children. So “POWER UP” and serve HIM.