Year 1, Week 30, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 30, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Samuel 11-12.

Today’s reading records the transition from Samuel, Israel’s last Judge to Saul, Israel’s first king. 1 Samuel 11 describes the leadership of Saul, early in his reign, which lead to the defeat of the Ammonites and resulted in the solidification of Saul as King: “So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal” (1 Samuel 11:15). 1 Samuel 12 provides the last official words from Samuel as he leads Israel to renew their covenant with the LORD. Samuel closes with a warning to both Israel and the king: “Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king” (1 Samuel 12:24).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the active role that the LORD’s Spirit played in the victory over Nahash the Ammonite: “Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge…Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” (Psalm 143:9,10b). The people of Jabesh-gilead were under siege by Nahash the Ammonite. The besieged people of Jabesh-gilead concede defeat of sorts and appeal to Nahash to make a treaty with them. Nahash is agreeable but has a step demand: “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel” (1 Samuel 11:2). The people of Jabesh-gilead request time to consider the demands, but also to send out an appeal for help.

As word reaches Saul concerning the dire plight of the people of Jabesh-gilead, the Spirit of God descends: “Now, behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, “What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?” So they told him the news of the men of Jabesh. And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled” (1 Samuel 11:5-6). While it is the same Spirit of God that permanently indwells believers in the New Covenant, the Spirit of God would come upon God’s people in the Old Covenant to accomplish specific tasks and functions. While Saul is the King and he will serve as the leader for the military operation that unfolds against Nahash the Ammonite, it is clear that the real Victor is the Spirit of God. With shades of how the Spirit of God rushed upon Samson as he destroyed the Philistines (Judges 14-15), so now, the Spirit rushed upon Saul. There is little doubt in how these chapters in Samuel unfold that it is the Spirit of God who not only motivates Saul from indifference to action, but also equips and guides him with the courage and wisdom to assemble a battle plan for victory: “And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together” (1 Samuel 11:11). The Spirit of God even enabled Saul to be a gracious victor, who spared those who opposed him and made clear that the victory was the LORD’s: “Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel” (1 Samuel 11:12-13).

The LORD is clearly the One who was at work delivering and defending His people. Samuel’s parting words reminded Israel that though they have been unfaithful, the LORD is ever faithful: “For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself” (1 Samuel 12:22). It was the very occasion of Saul being their king that illustrated Israel’s unfaithfulness: “And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the LORD your God was your king. And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the LORD has set a king over you” (1 Samuel 12:12-13). The LORD raised up Saul and empowered him with His Spirit to defeat the Ammonites, in spite of Israel’s rejection of the LORD as their king.

As Samuel led Israel with renew their covenant with the LORD, the call to obedience was clear: “If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well” (1 Samuel 12:14). Both king and people must obey the terms of the covenant. Also clear were the consequences for disobedience: “But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king” (1 Samuel 12:15). With a thunderous storm reminiscent of the Israelites’ time at the base of Mt. Sinai (see Exodus 20:18-21), the people of Israel cry out for mercy as the confess their sin: “And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king” (1 Samuel 12:19). Such a plea is met with intercession for them, but also admonition to them: "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king” (1 Samuel 12:23-24).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe