Week 12: 1 Samuel 12-2 Samuel 3

Reflection: As we continue through Israel's history, the focus shifts to three central figures: Samuel, Saul, and David. This transition from the period of the judges to a monarchy showcases God’s sovereignty and underscores the importance of obedience. While Saul’s disobedience leads to his downfall, David, a man after God’s own heart, stands in contrast as a model of faithfulness, though imperfect. Ultimately, much like the book of Ruth, this narrative points beyond these figures to the true Prophet and King, Jesus Christ, who fulfills the roles of both king and servant in perfect obedience to God’s will.

1 Samuel 12-15: Confessing Sin. Saul’s sin of offering the burnt sacrifice (1 Samuel 13) is met with Samuel’s penetrating question, "What have you done?" This is a question the Holy Spirit often asks us after we sin, reminding us of our need for genuine repentance. Saul chooses to make excuses, but the true response is humble confession and repentance, as Samuel declares that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). This passage highlights the necessity of confessing our sins and turning to Christ, the ultimate sacrifice, who alone can atone for our failures. Through Him, we are given the grace to truly repent and be reconciled to God.

1 Samuel 16-19: Descent and Ascent. These chapters showcase the contrasting paths of Saul and David. While David rises as God's anointed, experiencing success because "the Lord was with him" (1 Samuel 18:12), Saul's heart hardens in jealousy, leading him to pursue David’s life. Saul’s jealousy is rooted in his rebellion against God, revealing a deeper issue: when we covet another’s blessings, we question God’s wisdom and goodness, implicitly asserting that we know better than He does. This is a bold and irreverent rejection of God’s sovereign will. The next time we face jealousy, we must remember our own unworthiness and look to Christ, who, through His perfect obedience and sacrifice, has secured for us every spiritual blessing, far greater than anything we could ever deserve.

1 Samuel 20-22: Vain Glory and Riches. As Saul continues to seek the life of David, we read of a horrific incident resulting in the death of the priests of Nob. Doeg, the chief herdsmen for Saul, likely had close interactions with the King of Israel and perhaps experienced the evil spirit within Saul. Yet he still chose to divulge information about David's escape knowing the result would be bloodshed. By his own hand he kills 85 priests from the city of priests, in addition to women, children, ox, donkey, and sheep (22:19). What would cause a man to commit such violent, wicked deeds? Psalm 52 reveals part of his motive in that he "trusted in the abundance of his riches" (52:7). While we might think ourselves immune to such evil, we must remember the deceitfulness of sin and the corruption of the human heart. Let us be vigilant, humbling ourselves before God and asking for His grace to keep us from falling into similar temptations, looking always to Christ, who alone offers the riches of grace that cannot be taken away.

1 Samuel 23-26: Waiting on the Lord. When I go into the office, I ride the bus. I love it, I really do! But waiting for the bus to arrive at my stop feels like a waste of time. In these chapters, David exemplifies the difficult but essential discipline of waiting on the Lord, even in the midst of great injustice. Despite being anointed as Israel’s next king, David faces relentless pursuit by Saul, who seeks to take his life. Twice, David has the opportunity to kill Saul, yet he refrains, trusting that the Lord’s timing and justice will prevail (1 Samuel 24, 26). David's restraint demonstrates that waiting on the Lord is not passive; it is active trust and obedience, even when wronged. Like waiting for a bus, which may seem like nothing, but is actually a time to prepare or rest, waiting on the Lord involves faithfully living according to His will, even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises. In doing so, we reflect our confidence in Christ, who patiently endured the ultimate injustice on the cross, trusting fully in the Father’s perfect plan and timing. We are called to follow His example, trusting that God's timing is always best.

1 Samuel 27-30: Necromancy. As Saul’s decline continues, we see him break the very law he once upheld by seeking a medium, a clear violation of God’s command in Leviticus 19:31 and Deuteronomy 18:9-14. Saul, who had previously expelled mediums and necromancers from the land (1 Samuel 28:3), now consults a medium in desperation after the death of Samuel. This act does not imply that God approves of seeking counsel from the dead or from spiritual sources other than Himself. In fact, it marks the ultimate rejection of God’s authority over Saul's life and kingship. As Samuel had warned earlier, "rebellion is as the sin of divination" (1 Samuel 15:23), and Saul’s defiance of God’s word shows a complete break from divine guidance. The spirit’s message—declaring the impending death of Saul and his sons (1 Samuel 28:18-19)—serves as a grim confirmation of Saul’s spiritual and kingship failure. This passage serves as a warning about the dangers of seeking wisdom apart from God, especially through occult practices. For Christians today, it calls us to remember that all wisdom comes from God alone, and turning to anything else is a sign of rebellion against His will.

1 Samuel 31- 2 Samuel 3: Vengeance. Have you ever been wronged? I am sure you have to some degree. Perhaps the question is not if you have been wronged or if you have harbored hate and resentment in your heart towards the other party. As David learns about the death of Saul and Jonathan, David does not rejoice. Instead he laments (2 Sam 1:17). Consider portions from David's laments

"Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!" (2:19)

"Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely" (2:23)

"You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel." (2:24)

In glorifying God, may we not keep records of wrongs, but love, pray, and do good to our enemies as opposed to fantasizing about their demise and ruin.

Family Discussion Questions

• What are some practical ways we can guard our hearts from jealousy and learn to celebrate God's blessings in others' lives, rather than resenting them?
• How can we trust God's sovereignty in our lives, even when we face difficulties, unfair treatment, or unmet desires? How does remembering God's ultimate control over our lives lead to greater peace and holiness?
• How can we follow David’s example of trusting in God's timing instead of seeking vengeance or harboring bitterness? What does this teach us about God's justice and our role in reflecting His grace?