THE KING’S BUSINESS
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v. S. " And all the people went to Gil- gal; and they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.” Great is the joy of God’s people when their king leads them on to certain victory, but greater still will be the joy of the true people of God when our King shall come again victorious. The purpose of the “sacrifices of peace of ferings” was to acknowledge that Jehovah was the real victor. Question : Why was the Holy Spirit given to Saul at this time? 1 Sam. 10:10. Is courage imparted by the Holy Spirit? 2 Tim. 1:7. Is there anger which is consistent with righteousness? Mark 3:5; Eph. 4:26. Did Saul’s enthusiasm inspire the peo ple? 2 Chron. 14:14. Will God-inspired enthusiasm be fol lowed by prompt action? Rom. 12:11, What is the 'best equipment for service for God? (3) The Impulse of a Generous Heart, v. 12-13. The people are now ready to receive Saul as king, v. 12; Ps. 21:8. They are prepared to put his enemies to death, v..12. Saul will not consent to it, v. 13 ; 2 Sam. 19:22. He showed great piety and wisdom in giving God the glory for the victory, v. 13; 1 Cor. 15:10. Question: Did Saul lose any prestige by reason of giving the credit of the victory to God? John 12:26. (4) The Induction of Saul into the King’s Office, vs. 14-15. Samuel called the people to Gilgal to re new the kingdom, v. 14; 1 Chron. 12:38. There they made Saul king, v. 15. There they sacrificed before the Lord, v. He got a great victory over the Ammon ites, v. 16; 1 Sam. 30:17-18.
ing is a severer test of what a man is than the way upon which he looks upon others and their work when he is himself in a measure at least set aside. If it had not been for grace, Samuel would have found something to criticize in Saul’s victory. The pettiness of many servants of God comes out in the way they look at and even speak of what God accomplishes through others. Not a word of criticism did Samuel breathe. There was no note of regret that he was getting more and more into the background and Saul coming more and more into the foreground. (1) The Insolence of Nahash, vs. 1-3. Israel seeks a covenant with the Am monite, v. 1; Exod. 33:22. The Ammonite makes the conditions, to thrust out their right eyes, v. 2 (Jer. 39:7) and make them a reproach to their breth ren, Gen. 34:14. Israel asks for a respite of seven days while they seek for a deliverer, v. 3. Question: Why were the Ammonites in the land? (Deut. 2:19). Why were they the bitter foes of Israel? Deut. 23:3-4; Judges 3:13; 10:7; 11:5. (2) The Inspiring Attitude of Saul, vs. 4-11. The messengers came to Gibeah and told the tidings, v. 4; 1 Sam. 10:26; 2 Sam. 21:6. The people wept in sympathy, v. 4; Rom. 12:15. Saul was keeping the herd in the field, v. 5; 1 Kings 19:19. He inquires the cause of their sorrow, v. 5; Gen. 21:17. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him and he was filled with indignation, v. 6; Exod. 32:19; Mark 3:5. Saul sent a drastic message to the Coasts of Israel, v. 7; Judges 5 :11, and they rallied as one man, v. 7; Judges 20:1. The hearts of the men of Jabesh-Gilead were made glad, v. 9. Message was sent to the Ammonites that they were ready to meet them, v. 10. Saul divided his army into three com panies as Gideon did, v. 11; Judges 7:16.
LESSON OUTLINE
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