Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Samuel 8-15

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟠:𝟛

"His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice."

Never presume your children will grow up like you (especially your walk with God). Eli's sons weren't. Hezekiah's son, Manasseh wasn't. Samuel's sons weren't. John Piper's son wasn't. Francis Schaffer's son wasn't. Nietzsche and Darwin seemed to have a religious upbringing. I think even Miley Cyrus’ parents were church leaders!

Job prayed and made sacrifices for his children every early morning. But I am glad for the Gaithers' song: "Because He lives, this child can face tomorrow."

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟡:𝟚

"He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people."

His father was a mighty man of valor. He was tall and handsome. A perfect combination to be desired by all!

God gave them what they would want. BTW, let’s remember David accurately. He wasn't a weakling. He fought a lion and a bear. Would UFC fighter, or Modi or Kim Jong Un, or Vladimir Putin pick a fight with a bear or a lion? I don't think so!

God doesn't despise the rich, tall and handsome. He rejected Saul because of disobedience; God hates disobedient people! If you are poor, dwarfish, ugly, and also disobedient, how pathetic it is. Like Winston Churchill said of one woman, "Madam, I am drunk and will be sober by morning, but you will still be ugly in the morning!" Hahaha!

Saul was a son of a mighty man, and he himself tall and handsome!

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟘:𝟚𝟟

"But certain worthless men said, "How can this one deliver us?" And they despised him and did not bring him any present. But he kept silent."

v6 says Saul was already a changed man. v9 repeats that Saul was really a changed man. v26 says God changed some people's hearts to stick with Saul.

Of course, who would want to stick with this coward? But God changed their hearts, and Saul has also become worthy of following. The amazing work of God. Whom God calls, God qualifies and equips for His work.

Well, there were some worthless men. Always! Where God works, Satan wants to stick in too. I am still young, but I have met some worthless men already!

Saul maintained his silence! Kudos to Saul, at least for this!

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟙:𝟛

"The elders of Jabesh said to him, ‘Let us alone for seven days, that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to deliver us, we will come out to you.’"

This story always fascinates me. Nahas sounds so gruesome yet he commands my respect. He allowed those inhabitants to ask help to kill him. He gave them chance, opportunity. A man of principle.

It is often said and seen in war history that in wartime there are no rules. They say, "All is fair in love and war." After all, only the winners live to tell that and write the history; they've got to justify their conduct.

Nahas dared to give them time to fight him! I wish the Taliban would do that! Or RSS would do that instead of lynching! I wish the underground of North East are man enough to do that instead of abducting and killing such and such!

All underground and terrorist leaders should salute Captain (King) Nahas! 😎

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟚:𝟙𝟟-𝟙𝟠

"’Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to the LORD, that He may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of the LORD by asking for yourselves a king.’ So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel."

Samuel dared [proposed] to bring down rain in an unusual time of rain; he did! Are there Samuel-like people who are cut from the same cloth still in our times? Will God ever raise up such people like Samuel, Elijah, and Isaiah?

Or do we really need such people these days? I don't think so.

But are there people who are godly as them, who are as faithful as them, who are as prayerful as them? I would like to think so.

There are some godly men who have studied the sign of our times and warned what's about to unfold. And they are found to be right again and again!

Like the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, if we don't listen to them, nobody will listen even if Samuel shows up now. Actually, Saul didn't listen to Samuel when he was raised up by the Witch of Endor.

For example, Spurgeon has warned regarding the Downgrade Controversy. JC Ryle. Francis Schaffer etc...

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟛:𝟙𝟙

"But Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ And Saul said, ‘Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash.’"

I am sure all of us can see Saul in ourselves. Saul was a son of Adam and Eve what to do! Playing the blame game. Or to be more fair: Saul made up 3 excuses that look really genuine to a natural man:

1. Saul blamed (made an excuse) the people that they were disloyal and deserted him.

2. Saul blamed (made an excuse) that Samuel didn't come a little earlier.

3. Saul blamed (made an excuse) that the enemies (problems) are challenging.

Indeed, an ignorant, arrogant fool was Saul! I-A-F – (not Indian-Air-Force) but Ignorant-Arrogant-Fool.

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟜:𝟚𝟡

"Then Jonathan said, ‘My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.’"

Saul and Jonathan, father and son, what a set of characters! Totally different. Saul was a hypocrite. Saul was a coward. Saul's idea was dumb. He was willing even to kill Jonathan to save his face.

Everyone knew Jonathan was the hero. Even later on David will be the hero. Saul wanted to be a hero, but he never had the brain nor the guts of a hero. But he always wanted to remain in power!

There seems to be a lot of leaders like this, maybe even Biden! 🙂😂

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟝:𝟛𝟘

"Then he said, ‘I have sinned; but please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and go back with me, that I may worship the LORD your God.’"

Once a man has tasted power, glory, and honor, he doesn't want to let them go. Most people will do anything to retain them. Saul was such one! He knew God had rejected him and Samuel was very displeased with him. Yet he asked Samuel to treat him as if Samuel and God were okay with him in front of the people!

And Samuel caved in, to this request. Very interesting! Was Samuel weak as Saul? Saul caved in, to the voice of the people (v24-25). And now Samuel listened to Saul. Well, I see the compassion of Samuel for Saul and the political situation of the nation.

Maybe sometimes, our actions may look compromising to some people, but we must sacrifice even our reputation if necessary. In this, Samuel did not love honor, power, glory as Saul did!