
A Snapshot of Redemption
1 Samuel 11:1-15
Darrin Mariott, Lead Pastor
Big Idea: Throughout Scripture we see snapshots of God’s redemptive purposes revealed, culminating in Jesus Christ.
I. Surrounded by Enemies (vv. 1-3)
1 Samuel 11:1-15
1 Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” 2 But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “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.” 3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days’ respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.” 4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, they reported the matter in the ears of the people, and all the people wept aloud. 5 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. 6 And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. 7 He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of the messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!” Then the dread of the Lord fell upon the people, and they came out as one man. 8 When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. 9 And they said to the messengers who had come, “Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have salvation.’” When the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they were glad. 10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.” 11 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. 12 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.” 13 But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.” 14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
A. Here, we see Saul’s high point as a capable and principled leader. While the transition to a monarchy starts off strong, it unfortunately goes downhill for Saul from here. But for today, Saul’s actions point us toward a larger picture that reveals God’s grace, mercy, and redemption.
B. Israel was surrounded, hard pressed on every side (Philistines to the West; Arameans to the North; Moab & Edom to the South; and the Ammonites to the East). But their greatest struggle was often within (cf. Matt. 15:7-9).
Matthew 15:7-9
7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 8 “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
C. The point is that just like Israel, we, too, are often hard pressed and we need a rescuer; one who will give us victory (cf. 2 Cor. 4:7-10; Eph. 6:10-12).
2 Corinthians 4:7-10
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
Ephesians 6:10-12
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
II. Saved by God (vv. 4-15)
A. Saul rises to the occasion and leads Israel to victory over their enemies. The real hero in this narrative, however, is God, who empowers Saul for service (see v. 6).
1. The importance of this must not be missed—we need the power and insight that comes only from the Holy Spirit (cf. Zech 4:6; Eph, 3:14-19).
Zechariah 4:6
6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
B. Saul, after leading the people to victory, exercises a sovereign prerogative in showing mercy and grace and rightly gives glory to God (v. 13). It’s unfortunate that Saul will not continue this pattern.
C. This chapter gives us a snapshot image that points to a larger picture: God redeeming and rescuing His people. Like Israel, we are surrounded. But Jesus is our rescuer and even more, we have the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us. This should be a cause for celebration and reminds us why Jesus is good news (cf. Eph. 2:11-13)!
Ephesians 2:11-13
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.