## The Confirmation of Saul - Life of Saul - 3

Following these events, Saul went back home to work on his father's farm as usual. He was the king of Israel, but he had no palace, no guards, and no throne. Life went on as usual until the nation faced a crisis. This was the time for Saul's testing. As the new king, he had to help his people. In the next couple of chapters we will see three challenges that Saul faced, and how he responded to them. These would begin to confirm him as the king in the eyes of the entire nation.

Read: 1 Samuel 11:1-5

I. The Attack of the Enemy. 11:1-11

A. The People's Response. v1-6

1. Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh-gilead.

2. The men of Jabesh wanted to play 'Let's make a deal'. Why?

3. Previously, they had no one to help them, no one to call on for deliverance.

4. However, the terms of the covenant were too great to bear.

a. The men of Jabesh were willing to be enslaved to them.

b. But it would cost them their right eyes.

c. They would become a reproach or a disgrace before all Israel.

5. They asked for seven days to seek for someone to deliver them, if no one could be found, then they agreed to these terms. [Why would the Ammonites allow them to have this time?]

6. They sent messengers to all of Israel.

a. The people who heard what was happening were weeping loudly.

b. They were without hope for deliverance.

c. Interestingly, no one thought about their new king…they were looking for anyone who might deliver them.

B. Saul's Response. v6-11

1. Saul came in from the pasture with his herds and wondered what all the crying and weeping was all about.

2. Note: he was concerned about the people, he wanted to know what was wrong.

3. When he listened to the account of what had happened to the people of Jabesh-gilead, the Spirit of God came upon him.

a. Keep in mind that in the O.T. believers were not indwelled by the Holy Spirit as we are today.

b. The Holy Spirit would come upon them at particular times for special tasks.

c. The Spirit of God came upon Saul and he was angered by what he heard.

4. Saul assumed his role of leadership and prepared the people for battle.

5. Note: v7

a. This was an act of symbolism to get the attention of all the people.

b. He used this to motivate the people to prepare for battle against the Ammonites.

c. Also consider how he identifies with Samuel.

d. The people knew and respected Samuel as a man of God.

e. Saul was identifying openly with Samuel in order to tap into that source of respect

f. The people responded in unity and an army was assembled.

6. Saul sent messengers to Jabesh-gilead assuring them that help was on its way.

a. The people of Jabesh-gilead were glad, and sent their own message to the Ammonites.

b. Saul used the old 'divide and conquer' battle strategy against the Ammonites.

c. It worked and they won a great victory.

C. The Application:

1. This was not the same Saul that was found hiding and embarrassed.

2. The Spirit of God had given him a new heart, a heart to be king.

3. God had given him a group of men whose hearts he had touched.

4. Remember, when God calls us to a task, He will always equip us and give us exactly what we need to accomplish it.

II. The Advice of His Friends. 11:12-13

A. Saul did not have the heart of all the people.

1. Note: 10:27

2. They were children of Belial (worthless) and they opposed Saul's leadership.

3. Saul had taken a 'hands off' approach toward them; he had just ignored them. (consider the source)

4. After the victory, Saul gained the respect of many, and his friends and supporters suggested that he do away with those who were critical.

5. Saul was faced with another important challenge…do I agree with my friends and retaliate or not?

6. Saul again responded like a king.

a. No retaliation.

b. Only forgiveness.

c. God had blessed them with deliverance from the enemy, now was not the time to begin to attach each other.

(Lev 19:18) "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD."

(Rom 12:17-18) "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. {18} If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."

III. The Admonition of the Word. 11:14-12:25

A. The Public Confirmation of King Saul.

1. Privately, Samuel had anointed Saul as the new king. Cf 10:11

2. At a tribal gathering in Mizpah, Saul was presented as the new king.

3. Now in Gilgal Saul would be officially recognized as the King of Israel.

B. Samuel delivers a message of faithfulness.

1. He emphasizes his own faithfulness in v1-5

2. He reminds them of God's faithfulness.v6-11

3. Finally he calls upon Saul and all the people to demonstrate their faithfulness to God. v12-25

a. Fear God

b. Serve Him and Obey His Voice

c. Don't rebel or turn against the Lord

Note: At the beginning Saul accepted this final challenge, but later he failed in every area.

- Instead of fearing God, he would begin to fear the people and the enemy
- Rather than serving the Lord in obedience, he would serve his own interests
- Later Saul would rebel against the clear instruction of God and refuse to obey the Lord.

C. Lessons to Learn

1. Our life for God is not a sprint; it is a marathon.

2. How we begin is no indication as to how we will finish. Ex. Olympic runners at the starting blocks…

3. Paul challenged us to run the race to win.

(1 Cor 9:24) "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."