1406 BC: Joshua leads Israel into the Promised Land 1375 – 1043 BC: Fifteen “judges” lead Israel Samuel: final and 15th judge 1043 BC: Saul becomes King of Israel

Putting God first

Putting God first 2 Time went by until 20 years had passed since the ark had been taken to Kireath-jearim. Then the whole house of Israel began to seek the LORD. 3 Samuel told them, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths that are among you, dedicate yourselves to the LORD, and worship only Him. Then He will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines.”  1 Samuel 7:2-6

Putting God first 4 So the Israelites removed the Baals and the Ashtoreths and only worshiped the LORD. 5 Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD on your behalf.”  6 When they gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out in the LORD’S presence. They fasted that day, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.”  And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah. 1 Samuel 7:2-6

Putting God first 15 Samuel judged Israel throughout his life.  16 Every year he would go on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah and would judge Israel at all these locations.  17 Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, he judged Israel there, and he built an altar to the LORD there. 1 Samuel 7:2-6

Putting God first Israel: We want to come back to God – put Him first. Samuel: But if you really want to put God first, you’ll need to prove it by your actions: get rid of your idols and show God that you will put Him first. Israel: 1) got rid of the idols; 2) “…poured out water in God’s presence;” 3) fasted; and 4) confessed their sins. Samuel: “judged” the Israelites (that day and throughout the year)

Putting God first 1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.  2 His firstborn son’s name was Joel and his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beer-sheba.  3 However, his sons did not walk in his ways — they turned toward dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. 4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not follow your example. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have.” 1 Samuel 8:6-9

Putting God first 6 When they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” Samuel considered their demand sinful, so he prayed to the LORD.  7 But the LORD told him, “Listen to the people and everything they say to you. They have not rejected you; they have rejected Me as their king.” 1 Samuel 8:6-9

Putting God first 8 God continued, “They are doing the same thing to you that they have done to Me, since the day I brought them out of Egypt until this day, abandoning Me and worshiping other gods.  9 Listen to them, but you must solemnly warn them and tell them about the rights of the king who will rule over them.” 1 Samuel 8:6-9

Putting God first Chapter 7: Lord, we will get rid of our idols, fast, confess our sins, and put You first! Chapter 8: We’d rather have a king lead us than You!

Putting God first The Israelites: put away the foreign gods and idols drew water and poured it out in the Lord’s presence fasted confessed their sin

Putting God first requires: PUSHING everything else off the throne (putting away the foreign gods and idols)

Putting God first requires: PUSHING everything else off the throne (putting away the foreign gods and idols) GIVING ourselves fully to God (pouring out water in the Lord’s presence)

Putting God first requires: PUSHING everything else off the throne (putting away the foreign gods and idols) GIVING ourselves fully to God (pouring out water in the Lord’s presence) PROVING our desire to put God first (fasting; confessing our sin)

Putting God first requires: PUSHING everything else off the throne (putting away the foreign gods and idols) GIVING ourselves fully to God (pouring out water in the Lord’s presence) PROVING our desire to put God first (fasting; confessing our sin)