Samuel’s Change of Leadership Speech 1

1 Samuel 10:26 & Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent. 2 When Saul was proclaimed by Samuel as King, what did those who disagreed do? The complained and were backbiting; they totally disrespected Saul being King. Who were they really complaining about and what was this a symptom of? They were really complaining about God and it was a symptom of how there were those who continued to disrespect God and do evil because they put their own reasoning/desires above that of God. Now that Saul was their king; where did he go, what did he do? He went back to his fathers property and continued performing the chores he had before for his father. What was different with Saul? God had changed his heart.

3 1 Samuel 11: The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.” 13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the L ORD has rescued Israel.” 14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the L ORD. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the L ORD, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration. What did the people who followed Saul want to do to those who refused to give gifts to Saul, disrespected him, and sowed dissention? They wanted to kill those people. Saul defends the people of Jabesh Gilead from Nahash the Ammonite. Saul stopped them from killing those people, why? Because Saul’s heart was changed. What was different about the renewal of Saul’s kingship? This time the people had seen Saul lead them into battle. What were the people missing? The Lord was still the one ultimately responsible for their success.

1 Samuel 12:1-4 1 Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. 2 Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. 3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the L ORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.” 4 “You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.” 4 What seems to be Samuel’s demeanor? He seems to be frustrated with the people for insisting on having a king. What is behind his asking if he has taken anything from the people? Why did you reject me, haven’t I been more than fair with you.

1 Samuel 12:5-8 5 Samuel said to them, “The L ORD is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is witness,” they said. 6 Then Samuel said to the people, “It is the L ORD who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up out of Egypt. 7 Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the L ORD as to all the righteous acts performed by the L ORD for you and your ancestors. 8 “After Jacob entered Egypt, they cried to the L ORD for help, and the L ORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your ancestors out of Egypt and settled them in this place. 5 Why appears to be so important to Samuel? His integrity. Why is Samuel recounting the delivery of their ancestors from Egypt? The parallel of God appointing deliverers to save his people, that the one actually who delivered them from Egypt was God through Moses and Aaron. What did their ancestors do after witnessing God’s wonder when Moses went up the mountain? They made a golden calf and worshiped it as their deliverer from Egypt.

1 Samuel 12: “But they forgot the L ORD their God; so he sold them into the hand of Sisera, the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them. 10 They cried out to the L ORD and said, ‘We have sinned; we have forsaken the L ORD and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve you.’ 11 Then the L ORD sent Jerub-Baal, Barak, Jephthah and Samuel, and he delivered you from the hands of your enemies all around you, so that you lived in safety. 6 Who did Jerub-Baal judge? His name was originally Gideon but because he broke down the altars to Baal, they gave him the new name. He judged against the Midianites. Who did Barak judge? He judged against Jabin, king of the Canaanites. Who did Jephthah judge? He judged against the Ammonites and subsequently the people of Ephraim. What is Samuel’s point? The people forget how God delivers and protects them and then they follow after false gods. Then they cry out to God and He redeems them.

1 Samuel 12: “But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the L ORD your God was your king. 13 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the L ORD has set a king over you. 14 If you fear the L ORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the L ORD your God—good! 15 But if you do not obey the L ORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors. 7 What point is Samuel making? The peace they either enjoy, or strife and punishment they have to endure is not because of a king. The ultimate source of peace or strife is whether or not God is protecting them. God will protect them always as long as they are faithful but when they rebel (as they have throughout their release from Egypt) God will withdraw His protection. He is warning them to follow God.

1 Samuel 12: “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the L ORD is about to do before your eyes! 17 Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call on the L ORD to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the L ORD when you asked for a king.” 18 Then Samuel called on the L ORD, and that same day the L ORD sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the L ORD and of Samuel. 19 The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the L ORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.” 8 What evil was there in insisting on a king? They rejected God. They did not see Him as their leader, protector, or savior. They did not recognize God as their king. Why did Samuel call on the Lord to bring thunder and rain? To demonstrate that the real source of power is God and always was and will be God. Power so far beyond their capabilities that nothing could stand up to it. How do the people refer to God? As Samuel’s God.

1 Samuel 12: “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the L ORD, but serve the L ORD with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the L ORD will not reject his people, because the L ORD was pleased to make you his own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the L ORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the L ORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” 9 What cycle does Samuel encourage the Israelites to break? Of being redeemed by God, then leaving God for false gods, being persecuted by the people who surround them, crying for God to deliver them, and God saves them. What relationship between God and His people is this the end of? Of judges being sent to save the people to save the people of Israel. What does Samuel say is the key to being faithful? Your heart. Is this the end of Samuel’s service to God? No, He is the priest of God.