Saul Is Made King Of Israel 1 Samuel 9:1-12:25

Lesson 075 Saul Is Made King Of Israel 1 Samuel 9:1-12:25

MEMORY VERSE 1 S AMUEL 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serv e Him in truth w ith all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. WHAT YOU WILL NEED: Enough 10 strips of ribbon as the number of children in your class, small jingle bells to strand on the ribbon, brown construction paper, markers and tape. Enough dove patterns from the template provided with the curriculum, red construction paper, glue sticks, hole puncher and white yarn. Gold and/or silver construction paper, scissors and tape. ATTENTION GRABBER! Pick a King Have the children sit in a circle and ask them the following questions. What kind of a king would you like to have? (Example: handsome, strong, fearless!) Now ask them what kind of king would they like to serve? (Example; good, kind, big-hearted!) Can they see how their list changed? What kind of king is God? Isn t He the best king to serve? In today s lesson we will learn about a time when the nation of Israel rejected God s kingship over them to have a man rule over them. God is our king and should be obeyed.

LESSON TIME! NOTE TO TEACHERS: This section of scripture is very long. You will want to review the chapters and decide how to best present the material to your children. You could possibly have the children act out certain portions. Don t feel like you have to present everything. As you pray this week ask the Lord for one or two areas to emphasize as you work within the general theme of obedience to God and His Kingship over us. God bless you in your ministry to the children! In this portion of scripture, we will see how God answers the people s cry for a king by giving them Saul. It is God who instructs Samuel to appoint the king over the nation and it is God who shows Samuel whom He has chosen to be their king. As we study, we will see that Saul did not want to be the chosen king, nor was Saul the choice of Samuel to be king. Saul was chosen by God to be the king over His people. God is our king and should be obeyed. 1 S AM U EL 9:1-14 T h e r e w as a m an o f B e n j am i n w h o s e n am e w as Ki s h t h e s o n o f Abi e l, t h e s o n o f Z e r o r, t h e s o n o f B e c h o r at h, t h e s o n o f Ap h i ah, a B e n j am i t e, a m i gh t y m an o f p o w e r. An d h e h ad a c h o i c e an d h an d s o m e s o n w h o s e n am e w as S au l. T h e r e w as n o t a m o r e h an d s o m e p e r s o n t h an h e am o n g t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r ae l. F r o m h i s s h o u l d e r s u p w ar d h e w as t al l e r t h an an y o f t h e p e o p l e. N o w t h e d o n k e y s o f Ki s h, S au l ' s f at h e r, w e r e l o s t. An d Ki s h s ai d t o h i s s o n S au l, " Pl e as e, t ak e o n e o f t h e s e r v an t s w i t h y o u, an d ar i s e, go an d l o o k f o r t h e d o n k e y s. "

S o h e p as s e d t h r o u gh t h e m o u n t ai n s o f Ep h r ai m an d t h r o u gh t h e l an d o f S h al i s h a, bu t t h e y d i d n o t f i n d t h e m. T h e n t h e y p as s e d t h r o u gh t h e l an d o f S h aal i m, an d t h e y w e r e n o t t h e r e. T h e n h e p as s e d t h r o u gh t h e l an d o f t h e B e n j am i t e s, bu t t h e y d i d n o t f i n d t h e m. Wh e n t h e y h ad c o m e t o t h e l an d o f Z u p h, S au l s ai d t o h i s s e r v an t w h o w as w i t h h i m, " C o m e, l e t u s r e t u r n, l e s t m y f at h e r c e as e c ar i n g abo u t t h e d o n k e y s an d be c o m e w o r r i e d abo u t u s. " An d h e s ai d t o h i m, " L o o k n o w, t h e r e i s i n t h i s c i t y a m an o f G o d, an d h e i s an h o n o r abl e m an ; al l t h at h e s ay s s u r e l y c o m e s t o p as s. S o l e t u s go t h e r e ; p e r h ap s h e c an s h o w u s t h e w ay t h at w e s h o u l d go. " T h e n S au l s ai d t o h i s s e r v an t, " B u t l o o k, i f w e go, w h at s h al l w e br i n g t h e m an? F o r t h e br e ad i n o u r v e s s e l s i s al l go n e, an d t h e r e i s n o p r e s e n t t o br i n g t o t h e m an o f G o d. Wh at d o w e h av e?" An d t h e s e r v an t an s w e r e d S au l agai n an d s ai d, " L o o k, I h av e h e r e at h an d o n e f o u r t h o f a s h e k e l o f s i l v e r. I w i l l gi v e t h at t o t h e m an o f G o d, t o t e l l u s o u r w ay. " (Fo r m e r l y i n I s r ae l, w h e n a m an w e n t t o i n qu i r e o f G o d, h e s p o k e t h u s : " C o m e, l e t u s go t o t h e s e e r " ; f o r h e w h o i s n o w c al l e d a p r o p h e t w as f o r m e r l y c al l e d a s e e r. ) T h e n S au l s ai d t o h i s s e r v an t, " We l l s ai d ; c o m e, l e t u s go. " S o t h e y w e n t t o t h e c i t y w h e r e t h e m an o f G o d w as.

As t h e y w e n t u p t h e h i l l t o t h e c i t y, t h e y m e t s o m e y o u n g w o m e n go i n g o u t t o d r aw w at e r, an d s ai d t o t h e m, " I s t h e s e e r h e r e?" An d t h e y an s w e r e d t h e m an d s ai d, " Y e s, t h e r e h e i s, j u s t ah e ad o f y o u. H u r r y n o w ; f o r t o d ay h e c am e t o t h i s c i t y, be c au s e t h e r e i s a s ac r i f i c e o f t h e p e o p l e t o d ay o n t h e h i gh p l ac e. " As s o o n as y o u c o m e i n t o t h e c i t y, y o u w i l l s u r e l y f i n d h i m be f o r e h e go e s u p t o t h e h i gh p l ac e t o e at. F o r t h e p e o p l e w i l l n o t e at u n t i l h e c o m e s, be c au s e h e m u s t bl e s s t h e s ac r i f i c e ; af t e r w ar d t h o s e w h o ar e i n v i t e d w i l l e at. N o w t h e r e f o r e, go u p, f o r abo u t t h i s t i m e y o u w i l l f i n d h i m. " S o t h e y w e n t u p t o t h e c i t y. As t h e y w e r e c o m i n g i n t o t h e c i t y, t h e r e w as S am u e l, c o m i n g o u t t o w ar d t h e m o n h i s w ay u p t o t h e h i gh p l ac e. Here we have the genealogy of Saul, the first king of Israel. He came from the tribe of Benjamin, which shows how Saul came from really nowhere to a very important position. The tribe of Benjamin was one of the smallest tribes in all of Israel, but God chose its king from within that tribe. His name, Saul, means prayed for and he was said to be young and handsome. He was a tall man, and size and beauty were highly valued in rulers as signs of manly strength. But remember God does not look at the outward appearance as man does, but He looks at a person s heart. Saul had been sent out by his father to search for his donkeys which had strayed. He went with his servant through the mountains of Ephraim and all over the countryside looking for

them. He finally went through the land of Benjamin and never found the donkeys. Then when they reached the land of Zuph, he decided to go back home because he was afraid that his father might become worried about them. Then his servant tells him that there is a man of God in the city that could help them. What a wonderful way for a man to be spoken of, a man of God. This man was Samuel, whose heart was to serve the Lord with total commitment. Saul hesitated because they had no present to bring to the man of God. The bread was gone from their vessels, but the servant told him he had a quarter of a shekel which he could give. Here we see that what seems to be a disaster in the loss of the donkeys was actually something that God would use in bringing Saul to Samuel. Even though Saul had nothing to give to Samuel, God provided through his servant. We see that God is in control of every circumstance in our lives, and we can trust Him to lead us and to take care of all our needs. In verse 9 we are told that before this time, if any one wished to ask God about something they would go to a seer, or prophet. Saul then decided that they would go to the man of God and ask about the lost donkeys. When they came to inquire about Samuel, they were told he was blessing the sacrifice. Samuel was busy about what the Lord had called him to do, as we should all be doing. 1 S AM U EL 9:15-21 N o w t h e L O R D h ad t o l d S am u e l i n h i s e ar t h e d ay be f o r e S au l c am e, s ay i n g, " T o m o r r o w abo u t t h i s t i m e I w i l l s e n d y o u a m an f r o m t h e l an d o f B e n j am i n, an d y o u s h al l an o i n t h i m c o m m an d e r o v e r M y p e o p l e I s r ae l, t h at h e m ay s av e M y p e o p l e f r o m t h e h an d o f t h e Ph i l i s t i n e s ; f o r I

h av e l o o k e d u p o n M y p e o p l e, be c au s e t h e i r c r y h as c o m e t o m e. " An d w h e n S am u e l s aw S au l, t h e L O R D s ai d t o h i m, " T h e r e h e i s, t h e m an o f w h o m I s p o k e t o y o u. T h i s o n e s h al l r e i gn o v e r M y p e o p l e. " T h e n S au l d r e w n e ar t o S am u e l i n t h e gat e, an d s ai d, " Pl e as e t e l l m e, w h e r e i s t h e s e e r ' s h o u s e?" An d S am u e l an s w e r e d S au l an d s ai d, " I am t h e s e e r. G o u p be f o r e m e t o t h e h i gh p l ac e, f o r y o u s h al l e at w i t h m e t o d ay ; an d t o m o r r o w I w i l l l e t y o u go an d w i l l t e l l y o u al l t h at i s i n y o u r h e ar t. " B u t as f o r y o u r d o n k e y s t h at w e r e l o s t t h r e e d ay s ago, d o n o t be an x i o u s abo u t t h e m, f o r t h e y h av e be e n f o u n d. An d o n w h o m i s al l t h e d e s i r e o f I s r ae l? I s i t n o t o n y o u an d o n al l y o u r f at h e r ' s h o u s e?" An d S au l an s w e r e d an d s ai d, " Am I n o t a B e n j am i t e, o f t h e s m al l e s t o f t h e t r i be s o f I s r ae l, an d m y f am i l y t h e l e as t o f al l t h e f am i l i e s o f t h e t r i be o f B e n j am i n? Wh y t h e n d o y o u s p e ak l i k e t h i s t o m e?" Before Samuel and Saul met, the Lord had told Samuel that the man was coming to him whom he was to anoint as captain over his people. We are told that God had heard the cries of his people. We can be assured that when we cry out to the Lord, He always hears us. Then Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him that this was the man He had chosen to be king over Israel. Now it is important to remember that in 1 Samuel 8, when the Israelites demanded a king, God didn t want to give them a king, for He was their king. Yet, they were not satisfied; it was not enough, they wanted to be like the

rest of the world. When they were told what it would be like to have a king, that they would be his servants, they still wanted a king; the Lord told Samuel that they would have a king. God is our king and should be obeyed. What a sad state for God s people to be in. To want to be like the world, because they think God is not enough. We always need to examine our hearts to see if we are looking for satisfaction from the world or from God. When Samuel and Saul meet, Samuel assures Saul that the donkeys he was searching for had been found. Thus, Samuel had proven to Saul that he truly was a prophet. Then Samuel talks to Saul about what God had directed him to. Samuel said, The desire of Israel? Is it not on you and on all your father s house. Saul s response shows that he was a modest man, saying that he was a member of the least family of the smallest tribe of Israel. 1 S AM U EL 9:22-27 N o w S am u e l t o o k S au l an d h i s s e r v an t an d br o u gh t t h e m i n t o t h e h al l, an d h ad t h e m s i t i n t h e p l ac e o f h o n o r am o n g t h o s e w h o w e r e i n v i t e d ; t h e r e w e r e abo u t t h i r t y p e r s o n s. An d S am u e l s ai d t o t h e c o o k, " B r i n g t h e p o r t i o n w h i c h I gav e y o u, o f w h i c h I s ai d t o y o u, ' S e t i t ap ar t. ' " S o t h e c o o k t o o k u p t h e t h i gh w i t h i t s u p p e r p ar t an d s e t i t be f o r e S au l. An d S am u e l s ai d, " H e r e i t i s, w h at w as k e p t bac k. I t w as s e t ap ar t f o r y o u. Eat ; f o r u n t i l t h i s t i m e i t h as be e n k e p t f o r y o u, s i n c e I s ai d I i n v i t e d t h e p e o p l e. " S o S au l at e w i t h S am u e l t h at d ay.

Wh e n t h e y h ad c o m e d o w n f r o m t h e h i gh p l ac e i n t o t h e c i t y, S am u e l s p o k e w i t h S au l o n t h e t o p o f t h e h o u s e. T h e y ar o s e e ar l y ; an d i t w as abo u t t h e d aw n i n g o f t h e d ay t h at S am u e l c al l e d t o S au l o n t h e t o p o f t h e h o u s e, s ay i n g, " G e t u p, t h at I m ay s e n d y o u o n y o u r w ay. " An d S au l ar o s e, an d bo t h o f t h e m w e n t o u t s i d e, h e an d S am u e l. As t h e y w e r e go i n g d o w n t o t h e o u t s k i r t s o f t h e c i t y, S am u e l s ai d t o S au l, " T e l l t h e s e r v an t t o go o n ah e ad o f u s. " An d h e w e n t o n. " B u t y o u s t an d h e r e aw h i l e, t h at I m ay an n o u n c e t o y o u t h e w o r d o f G o d. " Samuel took Saul and his servant into his house and gave them a place at the table among those who had been invited. There were about 30 persons there, and Samuel ordered the piece of meat, which he had set aside to be given to Saul. The meal itself was symbolic, for Samuel had carefully saved the shoulder, which is symbolic of government, to be given to Saul. When the sacrificial meal was over, Samuel and Saul went down from the high place into town and Samuel talked with Saul upon the roof. Samuel was preparing Saul for what would be told him of God s purpose for his life. God always prepares us for the work He calls us to do for Him. 1 S AM U EL 10:1-8 T h e n S am u e l t o o k a f l as k o f o i l an d p o u r e d i t o n h i s h e ad, an d k i s s e d h i m an d s ai d : " I s i t n o t be c au s e t h e L O R D h as an o i n t e d y o u c o m m an d e r o v e r H i s i n h e r i t an c e? " Wh e n y o u h av e d e p ar t e d f r o m m e t o d ay, y o u w i l l f i n d t w o m e n by R ac h e l ' s t o m b i n t h e t e r r i t o r y o f

B e n j am i n at Z e l z ah ; an d t h e y w i l l s ay t o y o u, ' T h e d o n k e y s w h i c h y o u w e n t t o l o o k f o r h av e be e n f o u n d. An d n o w y o u r f at h e r h as c e as e d c ar i n g abo u t t h e d o n k e y s an d i s w o r r y i n g abo u t y o u, s ay i n g, " Wh at s h al l I d o abo u t m y s o n?" ' " T h e n y o u s h al l go o n f o r w ar d f r o m t h e r e an d c o m e t o t h e t e r e bi n t h t r e e o f T abo r. T h e r e t h r e e m e n go i n g u p t o G o d at B e t h e l w i l l m e e t y o u, o n e c ar r y i n g t h r e e y o u n g go at s, an o t h e r c ar r y i n g t h r e e l o av e s o f br e ad, an d an o t h e r c ar r y i n g a s k i n o f w i n e. " An d t h e y w i l l gr e e t y o u an d gi v e y o u t w o l o av e s o f br e ad, w h i c h y o u s h al l r e c e i v e f r o m t h e i r h an d s. " Af t e r t h at y o u s h al l c o m e t o t h e h i l l o f G o d w h e r e t h e Ph i l i s t i n e gar r i s o n i s. An d i t w i l l h ap p e n, w h e n y o u h av e c o m e t h e r e t o t h e c i t y, t h at y o u w i l l m e e t a gr o u p o f p r o p h e t s c o m i n g d o w n f r o m t h e h i gh p l ac e w i t h a s t r i n ge d i n s t r u m e n t, a t am bo u r i n e, a f l u t e, an d a h ar p be f o r e t h e m ; an d t h e y w i l l be p r o p h e s y i n g. " T h e n t h e S p i r i t o f t h e L O R D w i l l c o m e u p o n y o u, an d y o u w i l l p r o p h e s y w i t h t h e m an d be t u r n e d i n t o an o t h e r m an. " An d l e t i t be, w h e n t h e s e s i gn s c o m e t o y o u, t h at y o u d o as t h e o c c as i o n d e m an d s ; f o r G o d i s w i t h y o u. " Y o u s h al l go d o w n be f o r e m e t o G i l gal ; an d s u r e l y I w i l l c o m e d o w n t o y o u t o o f f e r bu r n t o f f e r i n gs an d m ak e s ac r i f i c e s o f p e ac e o f f e r i n gs. S e v e n d ay s y o u s h al l w ai t, t i l l I c o m e t o y o u an d s h o w y o u w h at y o u s h o u l d d o. "

Samuel then pours oil upon Saul s head, symbolizing that he is anointed with the Spirit of God. Before this, there had been no other anointing among the people of God than that of the priests and sanctuary. When they are alone, Samuel tells Saul of his calling by God to be the king of Israel. God is our king and should be obeyed. Saul had a hard time understanding how he could lead the nation of Israel, so God gave him three signs. The first sign was meeting two men who told him that his father s donkeys had been found. The second sign was that he would meet three men going to Bethel, one would be carrying three goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine. When they meet him, they will give him two loaves of bread. This sign would confirm what Samuel had told Saul about the donkeys, and give him proof of what Samuel said about becoming king was true. The third sign was to occur at the place where the Philistines, Israel s enemy, had set up military posts. The Spirit of God was to come upon Saul, and endow him with the power that was required for the position God called him to fill. Again, God was faithful and in that faithfulness, showed Saul that He would help Saul in all that he undertook as king. An Instrument of Praise This is a good activity for the younger kids. You will be making bracelets for the ankles or arms of each child which can be used as instruments of praise. Use a 10 strip of ribbon or yarn for each child. You can use various colors. Thread and tie a jingle bell every 2 across the ribbon (you may need at least 3 bells per child.) You can also make flutes. Roll up brown colored construction paper and tape. Color small holes on tip and have those who

whistle play. Using the tape players in your classroom you can play a children s praise tape and praise the Lord as Samuel did in our lesson. 1 S AM U EL 10:9-16 S o i t w as, w h e n h e h ad t u r n e d h i s bac k t o go f r o m S am u e l, t h at G o d gav e h i m an o t h e r h e ar t ; an d al l t h o s e s i gn s c am e t o p as s t h at d ay. Wh e n t h e y c am e t h e r e t o t h e h i l l, t h e r e w as a gr o u p o f p r o p h e t s t o m e e t h i m ; t h e n t h e S p i r i t o f G o d c am e u p o n h i m, an d h e p r o p h e s i e d am o n g t h e m. An d i t h ap p e n e d, w h e n al l w h o k n e w h i m f o r m e r l y s aw t h at h e i n d e e d p r o p h e s i e d am o n g t h e p r o p h e t s, t h at t h e p e o p l e s ai d t o o n e an o t h e r, " Wh at i s t h i s t h at h as c o m e u p o n t h e s o n o f Ki s h? I s S au l al s o am o n g t h e p r o p h e t s?" T h e n a m an f r o m t h e r e an s w e r e d an d s ai d, " B u t w h o i s t h e i r f at h e r?" T h e r e f o r e i t be c am e a p r o v e r b: " I s S au l al s o am o n g t h e p r o p h e t s?" An d w h e n h e h ad f i n i s h e d p r o p h e s y i n g, h e w e n t t o t h e h i gh p l ac e. T h e n S au l ' s u n c l e s ai d t o h i m an d h i s s e r v an t, " Wh e r e d i d y o u go?" S o h e s ai d, " T o l o o k f o r t h e d o n k e y s. Wh e n w e s aw t h at t h e y w e r e n o w h e r e t o be f o u n d, w e w e n t t o S am u e l. " An d S au l ' s u n c l e s ai d, " T e l l m e, p l e as e, w h at S am u e l s ai d t o y o u. " S o S au l s ai d t o h i s u n c l e, " H e t o l d u s p l ai n l y t h at t h e d o n k e y s h ad be e n f o u n d. " B u t abo u t t h e m at t e r o f

t h e k i n gd o m, h e d i d n o t t e l l h i m w h at S am u e l h ad s ai d. When Saul left Samuel to return to Gibeah, God changed him, and gave him another heart; and all these signs happened on the very day. We see that only God can change a person s heart, only God can transform a person. God changed Saul s heart to make him the man God wanted him to be. Would Saul respond to that all his life? Unfortunately not, as we will see in later lessons. Do we respond to what God wants to do in our hearts? We must think about that, and be willing to yield our lives to Him. God is our king and should be obeyed. With this sign, his anointing as king was inwardly sealed. When he prophesied with the prophets, the people were amazed, and wondered what had happened to Saul. An encounter with God should never leave us the same person we were before. When Saul s uncle asked him where he had been, he told him that since they had not found the donkeys, they had gone to Samuel, and had found out that the donkeys were found. Saul did not say anything to his uncle about what Samuel had told him regarding the kingship of Israel. The Helper The Holy Spirit came upon Saul to help him do what God had called him to. God s Spirit and power was with Saul. In this activity, make copies of the dove template provided with your curriculum (one per child). Cut out the dove. Using a piece of red construction paper cut out a heart shape large enough to paste the dove on. With a hole puncher make two holes at the top of the heart. Cut white yarn, just long enough to attach to the heart so that the children can wear them as necklaces.

The dove represents the Holy Spirit and the heart represents our heart. When we become Christians the Holy Spirit lives inside of our hearts. Like Saul, the Holy Spirit will help us to do what God has asked us to do. 1 S AM U EL 10:17-27 T h e n S am u e l c al l e d t h e p e o p l e t o ge t h e r t o t h e L O R D at M i z p ah, an d s ai d t o t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r ae l, " T h u s s ay s t h e L O R D G o d o f I s r ae l : ' I br o u gh t u p I s r ae l o u t o f Egy p t, an d d e l i v e r e d y o u f r o m t h e h an d o f t h e Egy p t i an s an d f r o m t h e h an d o f al l k i n gd o m s an d f r o m t h o s e w h o o p p r e s s e d y o u. ' " B u t y o u h av e t o d ay r e j e c t e d y o u r G o d, w h o H i m s e l f s av e d y o u f r o m al l y o u r ad v e r s i t i e s an d y o u r t r i bu l at i o n s ; an d y o u h av e s ai d t o H i m, ' N o, s e t a k i n g o v e r u s!' N o w t h e r e f o r e, p r e s e n t y o u r s e l v e s be f o r e t h e L O R D by y o u r t r i be s an d by y o u r c l an s. " An d w h e n S am u e l h ad c au s e d al l t h e t r i be s o f I s r ae l t o c o m e n e ar, t h e t r i be o f B e n j am i n w as c h o s e n. Wh e n h e h ad c au s e d t h e t r i be o f B e n j am i n t o c o m e n e ar by t h e i r f am i l i e s, t h e f am i l y o f M at r i w as c h o s e n. An d S au l t h e s o n o f Ki s h w as c h o s e n. B u t w h e n t h e y s o u gh t h i m, h e c o u l d n o t be f o u n d. T h e r e f o r e t h e y i n qu i r e d o f t h e L O R D f u r t h e r, " H as t h e m an c o m e h e r e y e t?" An d t h e L O R D an s w e r e d, " T h e r e h e i s, h i d d e n am o n g t h e e qu i p m e n t. " S o t h e y r an an d br o u gh t h i m f r o m t h e r e ; an d w h e n h e s t o o d am o n g t h e p e o p l e, h e w as t al l e r t h an an y o f t h e p e o p l e f r o m h i s s h o u l d e r s u p w ar d.

An d S am u e l s ai d t o al l t h e p e o p l e, " D o y o u s e e h i m w h o m t h e L O R D h as c h o s e n, t h at t h e r e i s n o o n e l i k e h i m am o n g al l t h e p e o p l e?" S o al l t h e p e o p l e s h o u t e d an d s ai d, " L o n g l i v e t h e k i n g!" T h e n S am u e l e x p l ai n e d t o t h e p e o p l e t h e be h av i o r o f r o y al t y, an d w r o t e i t i n a bo o k an d l ai d i t u p be f o r e t h e L O R D. An d S am u e l s e n t al l t h e p e o p l e aw ay, e v e r y m an t o h i s h o u s e. An d S au l al s o w e n t h o m e t o G i be ah ; an d v al i an t m e n w e n t w i t h h i m, w h o s e h e ar t s G o d h ad t o u c h e d. B u t s o m e r e be l s s ai d, " H o w c an t h i s m an s av e u s?" S o t h e y d e s p i s e d h i m, an d br o u gh t h i m n o p r e s e n t s. B u t h e h e l d h i s p e ac e. In this passage, we have the public installation of Saul as king. After Samuel had secretly anointed Saul king by God s command, it was now his duty to recognize the man whom God had chosen to the people also. But before he did, he reminded the people of their sin in rejecting God as their ruler. God is our king and should be obeyed. Samuel then called the people to Mizpah, and instructed the tribes to choose a king by lot. Of course the lot fell upon Saul, the son of Kish. When the lot fell upon Saul, they sought him, and he could not be found. When they asked if there was another, they were told he was there, but hiding. It is a sad thing for someone to hide from God s calling upon his or her lives. Here is the first manifestation of the weakness of character, which eventually became his ultimate failure. Saul had been given a clear understanding of the will of God, and then on the day when he was to be presented to the people he was found hiding away among the baggage. Even if he was being

modest, we must realize that it becomes sin when it stops us from doing what God called us to do. We must always be true to God s will in our lives. Warren Wiersbe says, His modesty in saying nothing about the kingdom (verse 16) and his self-control in not answering his critics (verse 27) are commendable, but what about this hiding on coronation day? Was he genuinely humble, or was he just unwilling to take responsibility? This much is sure: he did a great deal of hiding in the years of his leadership, but God found him out. As the book of Proverbs warns, He who covers his sins will not prosper (28:13). When he is finally brought before the people, they cry out, Let the king live! Men so often look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. Samuel then told the people the rights of the monarchy, writes it in a document and laid it before the Lord. Saul then went back to his home in Gibeah, along with the crowd of men whose hearts God had touched, to show their readiness to serve him. God is our king and should be obeyed. And often as it happens, where a person is suddenly exalted, there are sure to be jealous or envious people, as we see in verse 27. But Saul did not let it bother him, and held his peace. 1 S AM U EL 11:1-5 T h e n N ah as h t h e Am m o n i t e c am e u p an d e n c am p e d agai n s t J abe s h G i l e ad ; an d al l t h e m e n o f J abe s h s ai d t o N ah as h, " M ak e a c o v e n an t w i t h u s, an d w e w i l l s e r v e y o u. " An d N ah as h t h e Am m o n i t e an s w e r e d t h e m, " O n t h i s c o n d i t i o n I w i l l m ak e a c o v e n an t w i t h y o u, t h at I m ay p u t o u t al l y o u r r i gh t e y e s, an d br i n g r e p r o ac h o n al l I s r ae l. "

T h e n t h e e l d e r s o f J abe s h s ai d t o h i m, " H o l d o f f f o r s e v e n d ay s, t h at w e m ay s e n d m e s s e n ge r s t o al l t h e t e r r i t o r y o f I s r ae l. An d t h e n, i f t h e r e i s n o o n e t o s av e u s, w e w i l l c o m e o u t t o y o u. " S o t h e m e s s e n ge r s c am e t o G i be ah o f S au l an d t o l d t h e n e w s i n t h e h e ar i n g o f t h e p e o p l e. An d al l t h e p e o p l e l i f t e d u p t h e i r v o i c e s an d w e p t. N o w t h e r e w as S au l, c o m i n g be h i n d t h e h e r d f r o m t h e f i e l d ; an d S au l s ai d, " Wh at t r o u bl e s t h e p e o p l e, t h at t h e y w e e p?" An d t h e y t o l d h i m t h e w o r d s o f t h e m e n o f J abe s h. After Saul was declared king he went back to his father s house. It would seem that he was not taking the active responsibility of being the king until Nahash, the king of the Ammonites attacked the tribes on the east of the Jordan. They begged the Ammonites to make a covenant with them and then they would surrender to them. Nahash shows his hatred of the people by his response. The people of Jabesh asked for seven days to think about it. They went to the people of Gibeah with their cries. Saul did not hear about it until he returned home from the field and found the people crying over the terrible news. 1 S AM U EL 11:6-11 T h e n t h e S p i r i t o f G o d c am e u p o n S au l w h e n h e h e ar d t h i s n e w s, an d h i s an ge r w as gr e at l y ar o u s e d. S o h e t o o k a y o k e o f o x e n an d c u t t h e m i n p i e c e s, an d s e n t t h e m t h r o u gh o u t al l t h e t e r r i t o r y o f I s r ae l by t h e h an d s o f m e s s e n ge r s, s ay i n g, " Wh o e v e r d o e s n o t go o u t w i t h S au l an d S am u e l t o bat t l e, s o i t s h al l be d o n e t o h i s o x e n. " An d t h e f e ar o f t h e L O R D f e l l o n t h e p e o p l e, an d t h e y c am e o u t w i t h o n e c o n s e n t.

Wh e n h e n u m be r e d t h e m i n B e z e k, t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r ae l w e r e t h r e e h u n d r e d t h o u s an d, an d t h e m e n o f J u d ah t h i r t y t h o u s an d. An d t h e y s ai d t o t h e m e s s e n ge r s w h o c am e, " T h u s y o u s h al l s ay t o t h e m e n o f J abe s h G i l e ad : ' T o m o r r o w, by t h e t i m e t h e s u n i s h o t, y o u s h al l h av e h e l p. ' " T h e n t h e m e s s e n ge r s c am e an d r e p o r t e d i t t o t h e m e n o f J abe s h, an d t h e y w e r e gl ad. T h e r e f o r e t h e m e n o f J abe s h s ai d, " T o m o r r o w w e w i l l c o m e o u t t o y o u, an d y o u m ay d o w i t h u s w h at e v e r s e e m s go o d t o y o u. " S o i t w as, o n t h e n e x t d ay, t h at S au l p u t t h e p e o p l e i n t h r e e c o m p an i e s ; an d t h e y c am e i n t o t h e m i d s t o f t h e c am p i n t h e m o r n i n g w at c h, an d k i l l e d Am m o n i t e s u n t i l t h e h e at o f t h e d ay. An d i t h ap p e n e d t h at t h o s e w h o s u r v i v e d w e r e s c at t e r e d, s o t h at n o t w o o f t h e m w e r e l e f t t o ge t h e r. This seems to have stirred a sense of responsibility in Saul as the Spirit of God came upon him, and he responded immediately. He took oxen, cut them into pieces and sent them to all in Israel saying that whoever did not follow Saul and Samuel their oxen would be cut into pieces. Using Samuel s name after his own, is a proof that Saul even as king still recognized the authority which Samuel had in Israel as the prophet of God. Saul had assembled 300,000 men of Israel and 30,000 men of Judah together and sent word that they would help the people of Jabesh. After receiving the good news of help, they told the Ammonites, Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do to us what seems good to you, a lie by which they hoped to surprise the enemy with an attack. The next day Saul arranged

the people in three divisions and victoriously fought the Ammonites. 1 S AM U EL 11:12-15 T h e n t h e p e o p l e s ai d t o S am u e l, " Wh o i s h e w h o s ai d, ' S h al l S au l r e i gn o v e r u s?' B r i n g t h e m e n, t h at w e m ay p u t t h e m t o d e at h. " B u t S au l s ai d, " N o t a m an s h al l be p u t t o d e at h t h i s d ay, f o r t o d ay t h e L O R D h as ac c o m p l i s h e d s al v at i o n i n I s r ae l. " T h e n S am u e l s ai d t o t h e p e o p l e, " C o m e, l e t u s go t o G i l gal an d r e n e w t h e k i n gd o m t h e r e. " S o al l t h e p e o p l e w e n t t o G i l gal, an d t h e r e t h e y m ad e S au l k i n g be f o r e t h e L O R D i n G i l gal. T h e r e t h e y m ad e s ac r i f i c e s o f p e ac e o f f e r i n gs be f o r e t h e L O R D, an d t h e r e S au l an d al l t h e m e n o f I s r ae l r e j o i c e d gr e at l y. In light of this great victory the Lord brought through Saul, the people remembered those who were against Saul and wanted to kill them. But Saul refused to have anything ruin the day of God s victory by punishing these men. Samuel then calls upon the people to go with him to Gilgal and to confirm Saul as their king. 1 S AM U EL 12:1-12 N o w S am u e l s ai d t o al l I s r ae l : " I n d e e d I h av e h e e d e d y o u r v o i c e i n al l t h at y o u s ai d t o m e, an d h av e m ad e a k i n g o v e r y o u. " An d n o w h e r e i s t h e k i n g, w al k i n g be f o r e y o u ; an d I am o l d an d gr ay h e ad e d, an d l o o k, m y s o n s ar e w i t h y o u. I h av e w al k e d be f o r e y o u f r o m m y c h i l d h o o d t o t h i s d ay.

" H e r e I am. Wi t n e s s agai n s t m e be f o r e t h e L O R D an d be f o r e H i s an o i n t e d : Wh o s e o x h av e I t ak e n, o r w h o s e d o n k e y h av e I t ak e n, o r w h o m h av e I c h e at e d? Wh o m h av e I o p p r e s s e d, o r f r o m w h o s e h an d h av e I r e c e i v e d an y br i be w i t h w h i c h t o bl i n d m y e y e s? I w i l l r e s t o r e i t t o y o u. " An d t h e y s ai d, " Y o u h av e n o t c h e at e d u s o r o p p r e s s e d u s, n o r h av e y o u t ak e n an y t h i n g f r o m an y m an ' s h an d. " T h e n h e s ai d t o t h e m, " T h e L O R D i s w i t n e s s agai n s t y o u, an d H i s an o i n t e d i s w i t n e s s t h i s d ay, t h at y o u h av e n o t f o u n d an y t h i n g i n m y h an d. " An d t h e y an s w e r e d, " H e i s w i t n e s s. " T h e n S am u e l s ai d t o t h e p e o p l e, " I t i s t h e L O R D w h o r ai s e d u p M o s e s an d Aar o n, an d w h o br o u gh t y o u r f at h e r s u p f r o m t h e l an d o f Egy p t. " N o w t h e r e f o r e, s t an d s t i l l, t h at I m ay r e as o n w i t h y o u be f o r e t h e L O R D c o n c e r n i n g al l t h e r i gh t e o u s ac t s o f t h e L O R D w h i c h H e d i d t o y o u an d y o u r f at h e r s : " Wh e n J ac o b h ad go n e i n t o Egy p t, an d y o u r f at h e r s c r i e d o u t t o t h e L O R D, t h e n t h e L O R D s e n t M o s e s an d Aar o n, w h o br o u gh t y o u r f at h e r s o u t o f Egy p t an d m ad e t h e m d w e l l i n t h i s p l ac e. " An d w h e n t h e y f o r go t t h e L O R D t h e i r G o d, H e s o l d t h e m i n t o t h e h an d o f S i s e r a, c o m m an d e r o f t h e ar m y o f H az o r, i n t o t h e h an d o f t h e Ph i l i s t i n e s, an d i n t o t h e h an d o f t h e k i n g o f M o ab; an d t h e y f o u gh t agai n s t t h e m.

" T h e n t h e y c r i e d o u t t o t h e L O R D, an d s ai d, ' We h av e s i n n e d, be c au s e w e h av e f o r s ak e n t h e L O R D an d s e r v e d t h e B aal s an d As h t o r e t h s ; bu t n o w d e l i v e r u s f r o m t h e h an d o f o u r e n e m i e s, an d w e w i l l s e r v e Y o u. ' " An d t h e L O R D s e n t J e r u bbaal, B e d an, J e p h t h ah, an d S am u e l, an d d e l i v e r e d y o u o u t o f t h e h an d o f y o u r e n e m i e s o n e v e r y s i d e ; an d y o u d w e l t i n s af e t y. " An d w h e n y o u s aw t h at N ah as h k i n g o f t h e Am m o n i t e s c am e agai n s t y o u, y o u s ai d t o m e, ' N o, bu t a k i n g s h al l r e i gn o v e r u s, ' w h e n t h e L O R D y o u r G o d w as y o u r k i n g. In this chapter Samuel speaks to the people in what is almost like a farewell address. He tells the people that he had given them a king, as they had wanted, who would now walk before them. Warren Wiersbe said, The people had rejected a proven godly leader for a man who had won only one victory and whose devotion to the Lord was as yet unknown. God is our king and should be obeyed. Samuel was disappointed, but he left office knowing that his conscience was clear. Samuel s conduct was one of honor and truth. There could be no injustice found in all of his years as their prophet. The people answered Samuel, that he had not done them any type of injustice. To confirm this declaration on the part of the people, he then called God and his anointed as witnesses against the people, and they accepted these witnesses. The people admitted that there was no reason for their request for a king and that Samuel s conduct was excellent. Samuel then proves this still further to the people by reminding them of their history. He reminds them of two things. First, God s consistent faithfulness; and then their constant failure. He is very honest with them, even with Saul there, to let them know that they have

sinned in wanting a king, and did it in a way to make them realize they were wrong. We must always remember God is always faithful, He never ever fails us. 1 S AM U EL 12:13-19 " N o w t h e r e f o r e, h e r e i s t h e k i n g w h o m y o u h av e c h o s e n an d w h o m y o u h av e d e s i r e d. An d t ak e n o t e, t h e L O R D h as s e t a k i n g o v e r y o u. " I f y o u f e ar t h e L O R D an d s e r v e H i m an d o be y H i s v o i c e, an d d o n o t r e be l agai n s t t h e c o m m an d m e n t o f t h e L O R D, t h e n bo t h y o u an d t h e k i n g w h o r e i gn s o v e r y o u w i l l c o n t i n u e f o l l o w i n g t h e L O R D y o u r G o d. " H o w e v e r, i f y o u d o n o t o be y t h e v o i c e o f t h e L O R D, bu t r e be l agai n s t t h e c o m m an d m e n t o f t h e L O R D, t h e n t h e h an d o f t h e L O R D w i l l be agai n s t y o u, as i t w as agai n s t y o u r f at h e r s. " N o w t h e r e f o r e, s t an d an d s e e t h i s gr e at t h i n g w h i c h t h e L O R D w i l l d o be f o r e y o u r e y e s : " I s t o d ay n o t t h e w h e at h ar v e s t? I w i l l c al l t o t h e L O R D, an d H e w i l l s e n d t h u n d e r an d r ai n, t h at y o u m ay p e r c e i v e an d s e e t h at y o u r w i c k e d n e s s i s gr e at, w h i c h y o u h av e d o n e i n t h e s i gh t o f t h e L O R D, i n as k i n g a k i n g f o r y o u r s e l v e s. " S o S am u e l c al l e d t o t h e L O R D, an d t h e L O R D s e n t t h u n d e r an d r ai n t h at d ay ; an d al l t h e p e o p l e gr e at l y f e ar e d t h e L O R D an d S am u e l.

An d al l t h e p e o p l e s ai d t o S am u e l, " Pr ay f o r y o u r s e r v an t s t o t h e L O R D y o u r G o d, t h at w e m ay n o t d i e ; f o r w e h av e ad d e d t o al l o u r s i n s t h e e v i l o f as k i n g a k i n g f o r o u r s e l v e s. " Samuel told the people that the welfare of the nation would depend on whether they would obey the Lord or rebel against Him. Their obedience would bring blessing and disobedience would bring destruction. Samuel then reminds them of God s power, for he prayed for rain and thunder to come at an unusual time of year. It scarcely ever rained at this time. So when God sent thunder and rain in answer to Samuel s prayer, this was a miracle showing the people that the judgments of God might fall upon the sinners at any time. This put a fear in the people s heart. They cried to Samuel to Pray for your servants unto the Lord your God, that we may not die; acknowledging their sin, in asking for ourselves a king. It is a good thing that God does not always give us things we want for ourselves, because He knows that it may become a problem in our lives. We can always trust ourselves to Him, because He is always faithful. God is our king and should be obeyed. 1 S AM U EL 12:20-25 T h e n S am u e l s ai d t o t h e p e o p l e, " D o n o t f e ar. Y o u h av e d o n e al l t h i s w i c k e d n e s s ; y e t d o n o t t u r n as i d e f r o m f o l l o w i n g t h e L O R D, bu t s e r v e t h e L O R D w i t h al l y o u r h e ar t. " An d d o n o t t u r n as i d e ; f o r t h e n y o u w o u l d go af t e r e m p t y t h i n gs w h i c h c an n o t p r o f i t o r d e l i v e r, f o r t h e y ar e n o t h i n g.

" F o r t h e L O R D w i l l n o t f o r s ak e H i s p e o p l e, f o r H i s gr e at n am e ' s s ak e, be c au s e i t h as p l e as e d t h e L O R D t o m ak e y o u H i s p e o p l e. " M o r e o v e r, as f o r m e, f ar be i t f r o m m e t h at I s h o u l d s i n agai n s t t h e L O R D i n c e as i n g t o p r ay f o r y o u ; bu t I w i l l t e ac h y o u t h e go o d an d t h e r i gh t w ay. " O n l y f e ar t h e L O R D, an d s e r v e H i m i n t r u t h w i t h al l y o u r h e ar t ; f o r c o n s i d e r w h at gr e at t h i n gs H e h as d o n e f o r y o u. " B u t i f y o u s t i l l d o w i c k e d l y, y o u s h al l be s w e p t aw ay, bo t h y o u an d y o u r k i n g. " Samuel then reassures the people that the Lord would not forsake His people for His great name s sake, if they would only serve Him with uprightness. He told them again though that they had done wrong, but that now they were not to turn away from the Lord, but to serve Him with all their heart, and not go after idols, which could never bring them either help or deliverance. God is our king and should be obeyed. As they served the Lord with all their heart, they could only be called His people. What a precious thought to be His. It means that we are so very special to the Lord, loved deeply by Him. Samuel then gives the people a wonderful promise of his constant intercession for them. To Samuel, it would be a sin if he stopped praying for the people of Israel. He also tells them that he would teach the the good and the right way. Samuel never sways from the calling of God upon his life, even if the people had rejected it. And in his teaching them the good and right way, he again reminds them to only fear the Lord and serve him in truth with all your heart, for consider how great things he has done for you. We can take that same instruction, to have

reverence for the Lord in our hearts, and serve Him in truth with all of our hearts, and to think about all of the wonderful things He has done for us. But, if we choose to go our own way, and want to be like the world, the warning Samuel gave the Israelites can apply to us as well, But if you still do wickedly, you shall be consumed, both you and your king. Let us remember God s faithfulness, and remain faithful to such an awesome Lord. Crown Him King You will need enough construction paper (yellow or silver/gray, 2 sheets for every two children in your class). Place two sheets of construction paper together and fold in 1/2 lengthwise to mark the middle. Cut in a zig zag pattern down the middle of your construction paper. This will make the peaks of your crown. You will now have four strips of paper. Cut a 1 slit on each side of the pieces to inter lock the crown. You can adjust the size needed for each child by cutting away any excess paper. You will probably need 2 halves depending on the child s head size. Allow the children to decorate their crown any way they like. Reinforce the story of how the Israelites didn t want God to be their king any more, but they wanted a man to rule over them. What can we learn from this story? God is our king and should be obeyed. PRAYER Lead the children in a prayer of commitment to never look anywhere for their security except for the Lord. Ask the Lord to help them to never look at how the world is doing something as an example of what they should do. If there are any children who have not yet responded to the gospel, give them opportunity to do so.

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