Saul Disobeys God
1 Sam 13:1 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
Saul has been king for two years and has gained favor because of his battle victory.
1 Sam 13:2 Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
Israel now had a full time assembly of men of war to fight with Saul against their enemies. This is the first mention of Jonathon, Saul's son. He would be next in line for king, unless God withdraws his anointing from his father.
1 Sam 13:3 And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
Jonathan was a bold leader and fearlessly attacking their enemy. The enemy was more or less at peace with Israel, so long as Israel served them and did what they said. The enemy is a type of satan, giving relative peace, "peace with god," the god of the world so long as he has them bound.
1 Sam 13:4 And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
Notice that Saul received the glory for his sons victory. Israel was no longer a docile slave of the Philistines. The attack of Jonathon angered the Philistines. Israel became an abomination to them. They were intensely hated.
In the spiritual, we may get used to satan controlling our lives, but when we stand up for Jesus, and fight the spirit of darkness, then we are hated and targeted by the enemies of God. I have heard people say, "so long as I sinned I was ok, but when I began to make Jesus my Lord, things became hard." This is spiritual warfare. Satan doesn't need to come hard against those he has bound. But he seeks to keep those who are in his bondage and opposes them when they turn to Jesus. So, do not be ignorant of his devices. Unforgiveness is one area satan uses to torment us.
2 Cor 2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
2 Cor 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Fight the spiritual battles and do not give in to the enemy who would keep you in hopeless bondage. In truth satan is a liar, he only wishes to destroy you and keep you from serving God. There is no lasting peace or happiness under his domination. Jesus has given us power and dominion over satan and his spirits, through his name.
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
1 Pet 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Sam 13:5 And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.
Thirty thousand chariots, was believed to be an incorrect translation. The Arabic translation says 3000 chariots. Or, perhaps 30,000 men in chariots.
1 Sam 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
The people were fearful of the enemies threats. We should not fear satan, yet even Elijah the great and bold prophet of God was fearful of satan's words from Jezebel. Wods believed have a powerful affect on our behavior.
1 Ki 19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
1 Ki 19:3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
1 Ki 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
Satan uses words to give us fear. It is best to walk through the fear, for it is as a smokescreen keeping God's victory from you. In every book of the Bible, we are told to not receive fear. If we love and serve the LORD, we need not fear. Samuel had encouraged them earlier to not fear, but to serve the LORD with all the heart.
1 Sam 12:20 And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;
1 Sam 13:7 And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
Some of the people fled beyond the Jordan, the enemy had scattered them through fear. The people followed Saul with fear and trembling. Did they also follow God?
Fear and trembling
Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Phil 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Phil 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
1 Sam 13:8 And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
Where was Samuel? He was needed to bless the sacrifices to God and the people. The enemy was assembling an Army, Saul wished to get to them before they were prepared.
1 Sam 13:9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
Saul, impatient to get on with his plans, takes things into his own hands. He offered the burnt offerings in violation of God's ceremonial laws. This was to be done by a priest who had prepared himself.
Don't we sometimes run ahead of God? When we make decisions apart from him, when we live our lives in a careless way? As Christians, we are the sacrifices, living, obedient sacrifices to the Lord.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
If we disobey, what good is our sacrifice? We only serve ourselves. Saul had disobeyed God and wanted God's blessings. The law was unforgiving. It is not like the grace we have in Jesus. Jesus is our forgiveness and righteousness, our everlasting life. The law pointed out their sins, and sin leads to death. Jesus kept all the laws and died for us, so that we may live as he, as the children of God.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
1 Sam 13:10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
Business as usual for Saul. Often people sin against God and go about business as usual, as if they had not sinned, But, God's Spirit of truth convicts of sin, we dare not ignor it. As soon as we sin, we fall into conviction. Samuel came to Saul, as soon as he had sinned.
Saul feeling as a priest went out to salute, or literally to bless Samuel. He was acting as a priest greater than Samuel. The one who blesses, is greater than the blessed.
Heb 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
When we say we bless the Lord, it is really praise. Our obedience is a blessing to the LORD. The LORD requires obedience and a heart that loves him.
1 Sam 13:11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
1 Sam 13:12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
Saul makes excuses, that sounds familiar. Men and women have been making excuses for sin since the fall in the garden.
Gen 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
Gen 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
Gen 3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Satan beguiles us, he entices us to act independently from God.
Saul acted independently of God, as he said, he forced himself, no one else forced him. He wanted to take charge. Oh, we fail so often when we take charge, and do not do as Gods word directs. We want God to do things by our time and if not, we take over. We need to stand fast and endure temptation.
1 Cor 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Cor 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
1 Sam 13:13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
You have done foolishly, as one lacking God's guidance and truth. But, he was given God's spirit, so he had ignored God purposely.
You have ignored God's commandment. Had Saul repented in humility, had he sought forgiveness? No, there was no regret or humility, so no forgiveness.
You would have been the first of the Lord's Kingdom Kings, an everlasting Kingdom, but you chose to serve yourself. What about us? Do we trust the Lord and repent from sins? We shall be kings and priests unto God, if we love and obey the Lord.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Sam 13:14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
It was over for Saul from this point on, yet he continued as king for 18 or more years. Many sell their souls to satan for personal gain. They may prosper for years, but the end came when they gave in to satan, instead of following God. They shall reap what was sown.
Adam and eve were given the curse," surely you will die," but they lived on in the flesh many years.
Gen 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
The good news is that life is in the Spirit. Though our flesh shall die, we through the gospel shall live eternally.
1 Pet 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Saul would continue in the flesh as King, but in the spirit God had rejected him. Without God's Spirit there is only death. i have met people who have resisted God's Spirit and there seemed to be no way for them to receive God.
Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
Zec 4:6 ...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
We are to not be bound by sin and satan. We are to love and serve God through Jesus Christ our savior. Satan uses fear, we are not to fear or run, but to stand fast through faith in God's promises. We do not do things in our own power but trust and follow God's Spirit. We will be rewarded when Jesus returns. It will be so worth the wait.
Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
ILL EQUIPPED
1 Sam 13:15 And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.
Samuel arose, having not blessed the sacrifice of the hasty king Saul, and went to Gilgal, Saul apparently following him. Remember, Saul had just lost his anointing, things will not be the seem.
What follows is as if God was allowing satan to come against Israel. As if he were saying to his people: You trusted in your new King, now he has shown no regard for my laws, nor has he a repentant heart. He only makes excuses. See what you have in the natural and in the spiritual; warfare. See how hopeless it is without God as King to trust and serve.
Most of us have had times when everything we were hoping for and had longed for was suddenly removed. We look around and see little hope in the natural eye view. All we worked for, all our plans suddenly were set aside. The enemy comes at us with his battle plan, we feel like what's the use? But, we belong to the Lord our God. So we by faith keep going, drawing ever closer to our source of strength. Israel would need to do this, for what was coming was making many fear and despair of all hope.
Before the delay, waiting for Samuel, there were 3000 men, now fear had scattered the army and there were only 600 left to battle against an army with 3000 chariots. A military commander would know that of himself their was no way to win a victory, being so outnumbered. It was impossible with man. But nothing is impossible with God, faith would be required.
Fear had scattered the people, those who were left to face the enemy were ill equipped for the war. This is just what the enemy wanted, to keep them bound and helpless, so that they would easily be destroyed.
We are in a battle too.
Who is responsible for equipping the church to battle the enemy? We all have Jesus and His grace.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
The five ministries were given to perfect the saints and to equip them to serve God and overcome the enemy.
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Then what is our responsibility?
1 Cor 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Cor 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity (love).
1 Sam 13:16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
1 Sam 13:17 And the spoilers (raiders) came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:
1 Sam 13:18 And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
The armies of the Philistines had greater men and weapons. They chose a three pronged attack on the nation of Israel. Without an army to defend the people, they were outmatched, but they had a great God who had always fought for them. Would they trust in their King, the eternal God?
1 Sam 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
There was no smith or worker of iron metal in Israel, Because they were all taken to the Philistines. The Hebrews could not make swords or spears to defend themselves. The enemy kept them powerless to defend themselves.
We have God's power available.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
In the natural they were powerless to defend themsaelves. It is God who defends us, but we are to put on the Spiritual armor that he supplies.
1 Sam 13:20 But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his ax, and his mattock.
They had iron farm tools, but had to have them sharpened by the Philistines. The share and coulter, were parts of a plough used to turn over the soil. The ax was used to chop down trees and the mattock, a type of pick for digging up stones.
1 Sam 13:21 Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
They had files, or stones to sharpen the edges of their tools. They were for the final sharpening and not suitable for reshaping and restoring the edges of tools.
1 Sam 13:22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
1 Sam 13:23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
They may have had bow and arrows, and slings, to throw rocks, but at close combat they were unprepared. They could only hide behind shields, with no sword in hand.
Think about this?
In the spiritual our faith is our shield, but to fight the enemy we need the sword, the word of God. We can be shielded by faith in Jesus, yet to overcome the bondages of the enemy we need the sword of the word of truth.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Only Saul and Jonathan had swords and spears. Later an angry Saul would throw his javelin (spear) at David. ( 1Sam 18:11)
The Hebrews were outnumbered and had primitive weapons. The Philistines had modern swords and spears imported from Greece and other lands. they were people on "the cutting edge"who went to sea in ships bringing back the best from other lands. What did Israel have? They had the LORD.
Were not the Philistines overcome in previous battles? Why were their swords not taken? Perhaps the Hebrews did not want the enemies weapons?
In the spiritual, in our mind the enemies weapons are fear, strife, hate, envy, division, lies, there are many to discern and overcome with God's sword of truth. He also uses our flesh. We do not need to use the enemies weapons.
1 Cor 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
God provides us with His Spirit:
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Trust God
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Does our God turn from war?
Psa 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Psa 24:9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Psa 24:10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
We fight the battleWhen all looks hopeless, remember your King and deliverer. We know in him we have life everlasting. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us and he will meet your needs.
or we give up
or worse yet, we oppose God
2 Cor 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
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