First and Second Samuel • Originally one book • Events take place roughly 1,000 years before Christ • Transition from Theocracy to human monarchy • Named after the first important character (1-12=Samuel; 13-15=Saul; 1 Sam. 16 – 2 Sam. 24=David)

First and Second Samuel • Gives Israel’s linear history, along with 1-2 Kings 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 & 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles 1 Samuel = the rise of King David 2 Samuel = the reign of King David

The Respect of Office

The Respect of Office Saul David Losing battles Winning battles Gaining cities Gaining respect Defending Israel Alive Saul Losing battles Losing cities Losing respect Losing Israel Dead

The Respect of Office It is God Who sustains us during dark times

TBC Worship Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:00 am 2 Samuel 1:1-12 (NET Bible) 1 After the death of Saul, when David had returned from defeating the Amalekites, he stayed at Ziklag for two days. 2 On the third day a man arrived from the camp of Saul with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. When he approached David, the man threw himself to the ground. 3 David asked him, “Where are you coming from?” He replied, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” 4 David inquired, “How were things going? Tell me!” He replied, “The people fled from the battle and many of them fell dead. Even Saul and his son Jonathan are dead!”

TBC Worship Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:00 am 2 Samuel 1:1-12 (NET Bible) 5 David said to the young man who was telling him this, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” 6 The young man who was telling him this said, “I just happened to be on Mount Gilboa and came across Saul leaning on his spear for support. The chariots and leaders of the horsemen were in hot pursuit of him. 7 When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me. I answered, ‘Here I am!’ 8 He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ I told him, ‘I’m an Amalekite.’

TBC Worship Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:00 am 2 Samuel 1:1-12 (NET Bible) 9 He said to me, ‘Stand over me and finish me off! I’m very dizzy, even though I’m still alive.’ 10 So I stood over him and put him to death, since I knew that he couldn’t live in such a condition. Then I took the crown which was on his head and the bracelet which was on his arm. I have brought them here to my lord.” 11 David then grabbed his own clothes and tore them, as did all the men who were with him. 12 They lamented and wept and fasted until evening because Saul, his son Jonathan, the LORD’s people, and the house of Israel had fallen by the sword.

Kingless. Hopeless. Futureless. Fearful. The Respect of Office Israel is… Kingless. Hopeless. Futureless. Fearful.

The Respect of Office How did Saul die?

The Respect of Office How did Saul die? First Samuel 31 is the narrator recording what really happened. Second Samuel 1 is the narrator recording what the Amalekite really said. The Amalekite is lying. Saul took his own life.

The Respect of Office David’s response shows the nation that he was not seeking Saul’s life. He is grieved over the death of his king and father-in-law.

The Respect of Office It is God Who sustains us during dark times

The Respect of Office It is God Who sustains us during dark times It is God Who determines our human authorities

TBC Worship Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:00 am 2 Samuel 1:13-16 (NET Bible) 13 David said to the young man who told this to him, “Where are you from?” He replied, “I am an Amalekite, the son of a resident foreigner.” 14 David replied to him, “How is it that you were not afraid to reach out your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” 15 Then David called one of the soldiers and said, “Come here and strike him down!” So he struck him down, and he died. 16 David said to him, “Your blood be on your own head! Your own mouth has testified against you, saying ‘I have put the LORD’s anointed to death.’”

The Respect of Office You don’t raise your hand against the Lord’s anointed—the one God puts in charge.

The Respect of Office “Destroying the Lord’s anointed was tantamount to rejecting the Lord, since it represented the ultimate rejection of his designated leader.” –NAC

TBC Worship Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:00 am 1 Samuel 9:17; 10:23-24 (NET Bible) 9:17 When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said, “Here is the man that I told you about! He will rule over my people.” 10:23 So they ran and brought him from there. When he took his position among the people, he stood head and shoulders above them all. 24 Then Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one whom the LORD has chosen? Indeed, there is no one like him among all the people!” All the people shouted out, “Long live the king!”

TBC Worship Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:00 am Romans 13:1 (NET Bible) 1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.

The Respect of Office It is God Who sustains us during dark times It is God Who determines our human authorities

The Respect of Office It is God Who sustains us during dark times It is God Who determines our human authorities It is God Who demands that we honor our authorities

TBC Worship Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:00 am 2 Samuel 1:17-27 (NET Bible) 17 Then David chanted this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan. 18 (He gave instructions that the people of Judah should be taught “The Bow.” Indeed, it is written down in the Book of Yashar.) 19 The beauty of Israel lies slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20 Don’t report it in Gath, don’t spread the news in the streets of Ashkelon, or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate!

TBC Worship Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:00 am 2 Samuel 1:17-27 (NET Bible) 21 O mountains of Gilboa, may there be no dew or rain on you, nor fields of grain offerings! For it was there that the shield of warriors was defiled; the shield of Saul lies neglected without oil. 22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of warriors, the bow of Jonathan was not turned away. The sword of Saul never returned empty. 23 Saul and Jonathan were greatly loved during their lives, and not even in their deaths were they separated. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

TBC Worship Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:00 am 2 Samuel 1:17-27 (NET Bible) 24 O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet as well as jewelry, who put gold jewelry on your clothes. 25 How the warriors have fallen in the midst of battle! Jonathan lies slain on your high places! 26 I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan! You were very dear to me. Your love was more special to me than the love of women. 27 How the warriors have fallen! The weapons of war are destroyed!

The Respect of Office David understood that by honoring the imperfect king, he was honoring God.

The Respect of Office Application #1 Three levels of compliance: non-resistance reluctant obedience respectful obedience

We obey our authorities unless doing so requires that we disobey God. The Respect of Office Rule of thumb We obey our authorities unless doing so requires that we disobey God.

The Respect of Office Application #2 Pray [don’t prey]

TBC Worship Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:00 am 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NET Bible) 1 First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, 2 even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.