Everyone is flawed and no one knows it better than we ourselves do. What are we saying? Everyone is flawed and no one knows it better than we ourselves do. So, if all we think of is ourselves, we can’t help but be insecure and feel inadequate. I am so insecure…

Focusing on ourselves leads to insecurity. What are we saying? Focusing on ourselves leads to insecurity. I am so insecure…

Israel made a mistake in choosing a human king

What does it look like to learn from God’s rule in our lives?

1 Samuel 9:1-2 There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.  

I am so insecure… What did he say? It is difficult for any of us to not associate the ability to succeed with outward qualities, like being physically attractive and stature. While these may or may not be desirable qualities, it is a mistake to place our faith in them 9:1 I am so insecure…

(After taking a servant, they didn’t find the donkeys) 1 Samuel 9:5-6 (After taking a servant, they didn’t find the donkeys) When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us return, lest my father cease caring about the donkeys and become worried about us.” And he said to him, “Look now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go.”  

1 Samuel 9:7-8 Then Saul said to his servant, “But look, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread in our vessels is all gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?” And the servant answered Saul again and said, “Look, I have here at hand one-fourth of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way.”  

1 Samuel 9:9-10 (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: “Come, let us go to the seer”; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.) Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.  

1 Samuel 9:14 (After asking some young women about the Seer, they told them where to find him) So they went up to the city. As they were coming into the city, there was Samuel, coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.

I am so insecure… What did he say? It’s a little unnerving that Saul’s servant seemed more spiritually perceptive and resourceful than Saul, the future king 9:2-10 It is not uncommon that individuals who outwardly seem suited for tasks are simply not. In addition, it’s a similar mistake to judge ourselves worthy or unworthy due to physical considerations alone or, in some cases, at all. I am so insecure…

1 Samuel 9:15-16 Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear the day before Saul came, saying, “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”  

1 Samuel 9:17-19  So when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, “There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people.” Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, “Please tell me, where is the seer’s house?” Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart.  

1 Samuel 9:20-21  But as for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not be anxious about them, for they have been found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and on all your father’s house?” And Saul answered and said, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?”  

1 Samuel 9:22-23 Now Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall, and had them sit in the place of honor among those who were invited; there were about thirty persons. And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Set it apart.’” 

1 Samuel 9:24  So the cook took up the thigh with its upper part and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, “Here it is, what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat; for until this time it has been kept for you, since I said I invited the people.” So Saul ate with Samuel that day. (After they got up the next day and went to the outskirts of the city, Samuel sent Saul’s servant ahead of him so Samuel could give Saul God’s message.) 

1 Samuel 10:1-2  Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: “Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance? When you have departed from me today, you will find two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys which you went to look for have been found. And now your father has ceased caring about the donkeys and is worrying about you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?”’

1 Samuel 10:3-4  Then you shall go on forward from there and come to the terebinth tree of Tabor. There three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall receive from their hands.

1 Samuel 10:5-6  After that you shall come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is.And it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a stringed instrument, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying. Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.

1 Samuel 10:7-8  And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you. You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and surely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you should do.”

1 Samuel 10:9-10  So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day. When they came there to the hill, there was a group of prophets to meet him; then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.  (The result was that Saul was so changed, people thought he was a prophet)

I am so insecure… What did he say? The divine confirmation for Saul in this unexpected appointment should have been overwhelming 9:17-10:13 Often, our reluctance to serve the Lord has more to do with our unwillingness and/or lack of faith than God’s support. I am so insecure…

It’s difficult to imagine that Saul was not a believer. What did he say? It’s difficult to imagine that Saul was not a believer. All true prophets are believers (Mt. 7:15f.) and have the Spirit (Num. 11:29). False prophets are known by their fruit, i.e. their words that expose them (Mt. 7:15f. and 12:33-37). I am so insecure…

Then Saul’s uncle said to him and his servant, “Where did you go?” 1 Samuel 10:14-16 Then Saul’s uncle said to him and his servant, “Where did you go?” So he said, “To look for the donkeys. When we saw that they were nowhere to be found, we went to Samuel.” And Saul’s uncle said, “Tell me, please, what Samuel said to you.” So Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found.” But about the matter of the kingdom, he did not tell him what Samuel had said.

1 Samuel 10:17-18 Then Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah, and said to the children of Israel, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all kingdoms and from those who oppressed you.’

1 Samuel 10:19 But you have today rejected your God, who Himself saved you from all your adversities and your tribulations; and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us!’ Now therefore, present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your clans.”

They were warned, but wanted their way and the world’s approval. What did he say? The people knew full well the danger they were walking into in desiring a king like the nations around them and rejecting Yahweh as their king. They were warned, but wanted their way and the world’s approval. Wanting to be like the world instead of doing things God’s way never ends well, apart from God’s mercy. I am so insecure…

And the Lord answered, “There he is, hidden among the equipment.” 1 Samuel 10:20-22 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was chosen. And Saul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they sought him, he could not be found. Therefore they inquired of the Lord further, “Has the man come here yet?” And the Lord answered, “There he is, hidden among the equipment.”

I am so insecure… What did he say? Saul’s unwillingness involved a lack of faith. The Lord’s desire was crystal clear here. This did not involve humility. What are we unwilling to do because we don’t believe God? I am so insecure…

I am so insecure… What did he say? Saul’s failure to report to his uncle what had happened, along with his earlier response to Samuel (9:21) and his later response to his announcement as king (10:22) betray his sense of inadequacy, insecurity, and inferiority. I am so insecure…

What makes them an issue is our response to them. What did he say? Feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and inferiority are common for all of us. What makes them an issue is our response to them. When I feel inadequate or insecure, God is still adequate (2 Cor. 3:5-6) and is a Rock for us. I am so insecure…

I am so insecure… What did he say? Humility causes us to rely on the Lord. Insecurity causes us to run from service. Our shortcomings need to be dealt with honestly. I am so insecure…

Everyone is flawed and no one knows it better than we ourselves do. What did he say? Everyone is flawed and no one knows it better than we ourselves do. So, if all we think of is ourselves, we can’t help but be insecure and feel inadequate. I am so insecure…

So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!” 1 Samuel 10:23-24 So they ran and brought him from there; and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?” So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!”

1 Samuel 10:25-27 Then Samuel explained to the people the behavior of royalty, and wrote it in a book and laid it up before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and valiant men went with him, whose hearts God had touched. But some rebels said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

I am so insecure… What did he say? Even when we seek to serve the Lord, we can expect people to be present that cause trouble. 10:27 I am so insecure…

Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again! It is difficult for any of us to not associate the ability to succeed with outward qualities, like being physically attractive and stature. While these may or may not be desirable qualities, it is a mistake to place our faith in them 9:1 Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again!

Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again! 2. It is not uncommon that individuals who outwardly seem suited for tasks are simply not. In addition, it’s a similar mistake to judge ourselves worthy or unworthy due to physical considerations alone or, in some cases, at all. Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again!

Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again! 3. The divine confirmation for Saul in this unexpected appointment should have been overwhelming 9:17-10:13 Often, our reluctance to serve the Lord has more to do with our unwillingness and/or lack of faith than God’s support. Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again!

Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again! 4. Saul was believer. All true prophets are believers (Mt. 7:15f.) and have the Spirit (Num. 11:29). False prophets are known by their fruit, their words that expose them (Mt. 7:15f; 12:33-37). Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again!

Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again! 5. The people knew full well the danger of desiring a king like the nations around them and rejecting Yahweh as their king. They were warned, but wanted their way and the world’s approval. Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again!

Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again! 5. Wanting to be like the world instead of doing things God’s way never ends well, apart from God’s mercy. Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again!

Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again! 6. Saul’s unwillingness involved a lack of faith. The Lord’s desire was crystal clear here. This was not humility on Saul’s part. What are we unwilling to do because we don’t believe God? Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again!

Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again! 7. Saul’s failure to report to his uncle what had happened, along with his earlier response to Samuel (9:21) and his later response to his announcement as king (10:22) betray his sense of inadequacy, insecurity, and inferiority. Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again!

Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again! 8. Feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and inferiority are common for all of us. What makes them an issue is our response to them. When I feel inadequate or insecure, God is still adequate (2 Cor. 3:5-6) and is a Rock for us. Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again!

Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again! 9. Humility causes us to rely on the Lord. Insecurity causes us to run from service. Our shortcomings need to be dealt with honestly Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again!

Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again! 10. Everyone is flawed and no one knows it better than we ourselves do. So, if all we think of is ourselves, we can’t help but be insecure and feel inadequate. Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again!

Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again! 11. Even when we seek to serve the Lord, we can expect people to be present that cause trouble. 10:27 Let’s go over that again! Let’s go over that again!

Focusing on ourselves leads to insecurity. What are we saying? Focusing on ourselves leads to insecurity. I am so insecure…

What did he say? We should deal with issues when they are small, before they get dangerous.