Message Notes

SESSIONS # 7 THURSDAY, 3 DECEMBER 2020 Text: 1 Samuel 13-14

THE REIGN OF KING SAUL

1. The Army of King Saul

a) Three thousand soldiers

i) 2000 soldiers for himself

ii) 1000 soldiers for Jonathan (the crown prince) 1 Samuel 13:1-2

b) Others who applied to be soldiers They were sent away 1 Samuel 13:2

2. The war against the Philistines 1 Samuel 13

a) The formidable army of the Philistines

i) 30,000 chariots

ii) 6000 horsemen

iii) Infantry (uncountable) 1 Samuel 13:5

b) In comparison

i) Israel was disorganized

ii) Poorly trained army

iii) Poorly equipped

AT GILGAL

1. One of the centres Samuel built

2. The threat of the Philistines caused panic

a) They hid in caves

b) In thickets

c) In rocks

d) In holes

e) In pits 1 Samuel 13:6

3. The state of the nation under King Saul was terrible

4. Saul waited for Samuel at Gilgal Samuel was delayed

SAUL’S OFFERING

1. He took it upon himself to offer

a) A burnt offering

b) A sin offering

2. Samuel appeared then 1 Samuel 13:10

3. Rebuke of King Saul

4. Saul’s explanation

a) Samuel was not there

b) The Philistines were poised to attack

c) He had not made supplications (prayer)

d) He felt compelled

e) Thus, he gave the burnt and peace offerings 1 Samuel 13:11-12

SAMUEL’S SOLEMN WORDS

1. You have done foolishly

2. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD

3. God would have established his kingdom if he had obeyed

4. His kingdom would not continue 1 Samuel 13:14a

A NEW KING

1. God has sought for himself a man after his own heart

2. God has commanded him to be commander over His people 1 Samuel 13:14

3. This was the first intimation that God had an alternative plan

SAMUEL’S DEPARTURE

1. He left Gilgal

2. He went to Gibeah of Benjamin 1 Samuel 13:15a

INTERACTION QUESTION AND ANSWER

1. Wherein had Saul failed as king?

2. Was everything based on his wrong and unlawful offering?

3. Does this judgment seem too severe?

AN EXCURSUS: THE STATE OF ISRAEL UNDER KING SAUL

1. Saul’s loyal soldiers 600 1 Samuel 13:15

2. Philistine raiders 1 Samuel 13:16-18

3. No blacksmith in Israel 1 Samuel 13:19-21

4. No sword nor spear In Israel 1 Samuel 13:22

AN EXCURSUS: JONATHAN AND KING SAUL 1 Samuel 14

1. Jonathan and his armour bearer in a Philistine garrison 1 Samuel 14:1-14

2. Saul’s attack on the Philistines

3. His curse on the army of Israel

4. Jonathan nearly killed for breaking Saul’s oath

5. He was rescued by the people 1 Samuel 14:15-52

a) Jonathan was a hero

b) Saul had made a rash oath

c) Jonathan would not die because of a foolish oath