3 Lessons About Leadership 1 Samuel 10-12

10:1 Saul was anointed 10:2-7 Signs were foretold for Saul 10:8 Saul was instructed to wait at Gilgal seven days for Samuel to come and offer a sacrifice—this seems to indicate a normal procedure in cases of emergency. Saul was still subject to God. 10:9-13 the prophecies were fulfilled and Saul went to the high place to wait for Samuel 10:14-16 Saul's uncle asked Saul where he'd been, Saul did not tell him what Samuel said about the kingdom 10:17-19 Samuel arrives and chastised the people again for asking for a king 10:20-21 Samuel called tribe, clan, family and Saul by lot, but Saul was not there. 10:22-25 Saul was found hiding and shown to the people as their new king, Samuel dismissed the assembly 10:26-27 Some rejoice, some despise. Events of 1 Samuel 10

11:1-4 the people mourn because Jabesh-gilead was besieged by Nahash the Amonite 11:5-11 The Spirit comes upon Saul, he rallies the troops with threats of killing their oxen, and defeats Nahash 11:12-13 The people want to kill those who doubted Saul's ability as king but Saul prevented it 11:14-15 His kingship is made “official” at Gigal, having the confidence of the people 12:1-13 Samuel rebukes the Israelites for wanting a king and begins his farewell address. 12:14-25 Samuel warned them to trust in God, not their king. Events of 1 Samuel 11-12

Lesson 1: There is no Escape from Responsibilities Saul did not want the responsibility. 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 9:21). 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11

Lesson 1: There is no Escape from Responsibilities Saul did not want the responsibility. 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." (1 Samuel 10:21-22) 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11

Lesson 1: There is no Escape from Responsibilities Saul did not want the responsibility. When it is time to step up and provide some leadership, are you hiding from your opportunities? 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11

Lesson 1: There is no Escape from Responsibilities Saul’s Possible Thoughts 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11 I'm not fit to lead. I'm not ready to lead. I'm not strong enough to lead. I'm not good enough to lead. I'm not the right one to lead.

Lesson 1: There is no Escape from Responsibilities Our Possible Thoughts 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11 There are better people to do the work. I am not ready for the responsibility. I am not a strong enough Christian. I am too weak.

Lesson 1: There is no Escape from Responsibilities God Has Always Worked Through the “Unfit” 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11 Saul—how could others have confidence in him at first? Moses was so afraid of speaking that he had to rely on Aaron to speak for him. Joseph was a slave and an ex-convict. John the Baptist was like a hermit who lived in the wilderness eating locusts and wild honey. Jesus chose fishermen and tax-collectors as some of those who would change the world!

Lesson 1: There is no Escape from Responsibilities Leadership Takes Some Courage 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11 God Can Provide That Confidence if You are Available Confidence in Yourself Confidence from Others These He supplied for Saul

Lesson 2: A Leader Must Take Advantage of Opportunities Saul Faced An Opportunity to Lead 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you." And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, "On this condition I will make a covenant with you, that I may put out all your right eyes, and bring reproach on all Israel." Then the elders of Jabesh said to him, "Hold off for seven days, that we may send messengers to all the territory of Israel. And then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you." So the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the news in the hearing of the people. And all the people lifted up their voices and wept. Now there was Saul, coming behind the herd from the field; and Saul said, "What troubles the people, that they weep?" And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh. (1 Samuel 11:1-5)

Lesson 2: A Leader Must Take Advantage of Opportunities We Must Take The Opportunities Provided Us 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11 We don't need the Spirit to come upon us in power before we can lead. If so we will never develop leaders because He does not do such things today. He has provided the necessary information to know who is to lead and how to go about it. We must develop the confidence to know that God will be there for us to help us as we grow in the faith.

Lesson 3: A Leader Will Inspire Confidence in Others by Obeying God Established Saul as a Leader 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11

God Established Saul as a Leader 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11 Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news, and his anger was greatly aroused. So he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, "Whoever does not go out with Saul and Samuel to battle, so it shall be done to his oxen." And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. When he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. And they said to the messengers who came, "Thus you shall say to the men of Jabesh Gilead: 'Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have help.' " Then the messengers came and reported it to the men of Jabesh, and they were glad. Therefore the men of Jabesh said, "Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do with us whatever seems good to you." So it was, on the next day, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and killed Ammonites until the heat of the day. And it happened that those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together. (1 Samuel 11:6-11)

Lesson 3: A Leader Will Inspire Confidence in Others by Obeying God Established Saul as a Leader 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11 God presented the perfect opportunity to establish Saul as ruler of the people. God will always provide and establish leaders for His people. His victory inspired confidence in those following him.

Lesson 3: A Leader Will Inspire Confidence in Others by Obeying God Can Establish You as a Leader 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11 We must help others have confidence to do what is right. This comes as we act in faith. As we prove ourselves, we will gain confidence of others to follow our example. Leadership is primarily setting the right example, but it includes more. Leadership is going the right way, and taking others along with you.

Leadership Begins With a Decision God Has Called Us All to Lead Others 1 Samuel 9:21 1 Sam. 10: Sam. 11:1-5 1 Sam. 11:6-11 Will you be available for service? Or will you hide in the luggage? God will help us if we allow Him. The choices we make will affect us and those around us.