May 5, 2024 Service
1 Samuel 10 (Read the entire passage)
10:1 “Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the LORD has anointed you to be prince over his heritage.”
Samuel prophesies over Saul, telling him in great detail three events that will happen, “this will be a sign to him that the Lord has anointed him to be king.” All of them come to pass exactly as the prophet Samuel has said as a means to prove to Saul his anointing to be prince of Israel was legitimate.
When Saul returns to his father he only tells him about the missing donkeys being found but nothing of the kingdom, his kingship as Samuel had spoken over him. In the meantime, Samuel has brought all of the tribes of Israel together and reminds them of God’s rescue and deliverance from the Egyptians. Then Samuel tells them, “But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘set a king over us.’” (vs. 19). You’d think this moment would cause Israel to repent but it doesn’t. Saul hides among the baggage, hoping to not be found and named Israel’s king, but he is found and stands taller than all the others. Samuel goes on to say, “’Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.’ And all the people shouted, ‘Long live the king!’” (vs. 24)
Israel has rejected God. God has given them what they asked for, an earthly king. Saul is chosen to be the king. Samuel anoints him. There is no evidence that Saul has a regenerated heart and commitment to God. This is God’s judgement over Israel but they do not realize it yet.
Saul hid. Samuel had told him to “do what your hands must do” but he shirks responsibility, runs, and hides. This is an issue of pride, not submitting to God’s word and will. Jesus, the true king will not shirk God’s word and will. Everyone and everything His hands touch will flourish – blind will see, deaf will hear, dead will live. Lives will be restored, spiritual sight will be given, and salvation will be provided.
Reflection:
Have you been hiding from God? If so, confess this to Him, turn to Him and seek to follow Him and His Word.
We will always battle wanting to hide because of pride, our sin and brokenness, and fears. Read this beautiful invitation from God written by Steffany Gretzinger in the opening line of her song “Come Out of Hiding”
Come out of hiding, you’re safe here with me
There’s no need to cover what I already see
You’ve got your reasons, but I hold your peace
You’ve been on lockdown and I hold the key
‘Cause I loved you before you knew it was love
And I saw it all, still, I chose the cross
And you were the one that I was thinking of
When I rose from the grave
Now rid of the shackles, my victory’s yours
I tore the veil for you to come close
There’s no reason to stand at a distance anymore
You’re not far from home
Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not despise.”
God welcomes all who come out of hiding and into His presence with honesty, humility, and confession.
What is God speaking to your heart and mind with this?
3. Think about Jesus, your true King and all that He does to display the ways of the kingdom having come on earth as it is in heaven. By choosing Him, this means He touches your life. What does this mean to you? Talk with him about this.
We sang these words in response of God’s welcoming those who come to Him for salvation, restoration, and life. What do these words mean to you as you speak them out as truth?
Praise the Father, praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of glory, Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings
Long live King Jesus!
Share what God has done in your heart this week with your community group and/or friends.
Grace and peace on this journey together,
Chad Hollowell
Executive Pastor
COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION
Don Logan
1) Read I Samuel 10. What stands out to you as important or odd? What is this all about?
2) God chose Saul, and had Samuel ordain him for this position over Israel. Saul never is recorded as having earlier or later a relationship with God. What are the implications of this?
a) God will use evil or good to accomplish His will?
b) The choice of Saul was a sign of judgment over Israel?
c) What other implications?
3) Why do you think Saul seems hesitant and even afraid to step into the role he has been called to do? Why did he not share the real truth with his uncle and family?
4) In what ways are we afraid or hesitant to step into the roles that God has given to us to be faithful witnesses in our world?
5) Can you name one area that God has probably shown you, or spoken over you, and you are “hiding in the baggage”?
6) Prayer and praise