Review Of 1Samuel 13

– by Victor Fawole

I am pleased to welcome everyone back to our “No Bible, No Breakfast” spiritual exercise. We continue in our journey in the book of 1st Samuel. Last time out, in chapter 12, we learnt lessons from Judge Samuel’s “Retirement Service”. Although he had retired as the political head of the nation, he remained the Spiritual head – serving as the national priest and prophet. This chapter is the beginning of Saul’s fall. We begin to read about his sins that cost him the kingdom. The tables begin to turn on Saul. Without any further ado, let us review…

BECOMING AN ABOMINATION

1Sam. 13:3-4 And Jonathan attacked the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!” Now all Israel heard it said that Saul had attacked a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel had also become an abomination to the Philistines. And the people were called together to Saul at Gilgal.

King Saul had reigned for two years, enjoying relative peace and prosperity. His son, Jonathan, had become a great warrior. He repeatedly led successful attacks. He went further to attack the Philistines. And guess what happened? Israel became an abomination to the Philistines! Whenever the oppressed says “NO” to the oppression of the oppressor, the oppressed becomes an abomination to the oppressor.

We should never for once assume or think that we are pleasant to the enemy. We should never think that we could be friends with the enemy. Liberty from spiritual, mental, attitudinal, relational, or any other forms of oppression does not come freely. It provokes bitter hatred from the oppressor. Israel became an abomination to Pharaoh (Exo. 5:21). We have become an abomination to the devil. In fact, in our Christian walk of purity, we will most likely “become an abomination” to the world. Our stance against worldliness and sinful lifestyles will most likely attract negative reactions from the people of the world. We have a decision to make. We either _become an abomination_ to the world, or to God. (Jam. 4:4, 1John 2:15) There is no sitting on the fence here.

BRINGING AN ABOMINATION

1Sam. 13:8-10 Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering. Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.

The tension between Israel and the Philistines had caused an ongoing crisis and enmity. Battles back to back. It went on for many years. Here was another battle. Samuel had instructed Saul to wait for him at Gilgal for seven days. This was the exact same place that Samuel told Saul to wait seven days before anointing him as king (1Sam. 10:8). 

Saul knew that only God gives victories, and as in times past, Samuel needed to offer sacrifices to God. Our victory in life is deep-rooted in the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. Knowing that fact wasn’t enough for Saul. He lost his patience in waiting for Samuel. He had forgotten the words of Law according to Moses (Deut. 17:12). He placed himself in the office of a priest. He copied and pasted Samuel’s mode of operation. Remember when the Israelites took the ark of covenant to battle, copying the pattern of Joshua? Hmmmm… He could have prayed to God and cried out to God… Instead, he did the one thing he must not do: He offered sacrifices! As a king, he had no business making burnt and peace offerings to God. He breached the Law and committed an abomination. In fact, when he came out to “meet and greet” Samuel, the Hebrew text renders it to mean that he came out to “bless” Samuel, just as a high priest would bless the people after offering sacrifices. Hmmm…

When Samuel confronted him for his abomination, he gave excuses instead of repenting. He blamed others for his actions. He blamed the people for losing trust in him and blamed Samuel for coming late. But was Samuel actually late? No! He still arrived on the 7th day. Impatience has a way of wearing one out, by exaggerating a seeming delay. Impatience also has a way of inciting a man to take the wrong step and make the wrong decision. Saul could have shown remorse, confessed that he doubted, disbelieved and disobeyed… Instead, he gave excuses. When David sinned, he confessed; when Saul sinned, he excused himself. 

Sin will take you further than you ever wanted to stray, keep you longer than you ever thought to stay, and cost you more than you ever planned to pay. That was the case with Saul. He lost his kingdom and his lineage got immediately disqualified from the throne. And Samuel declared that God has “sought for Himself a man after His own heart.” When we consider how David was the man after God’s heart, we see these four attributes that distinguish him from Saul:

• 1. A man after God’s heart is STEADFAST – He loves to honour God.
• 2. A man after God’s heart is SUBMISSIVE – He crowns God as the King of his life.
• 3. A man after God’s heart is SINCERE – He maintains a humble and repentant heart.
• 4. A man after God’s heart is SELFLESS – He cares deeply for people.

Permit me to share the words of Father Folake with you again: 

“On a serious note, we really need to learn to always wait on God, no matter the situation… Although, some things are easier said than done. Without the grace of God, exercising patience in the face of difficulties is almost impossible. Life can humble anyone. We need to keep asking God for help… It’s easier to “yab” the Israelites because you’re in the grace era. If you think that you’re standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1Cor. 10:12) While we may pronounce judgment on Saul and the Israelites, let’s do some deep personal reflection. May God help us to keep standing. May He always help us and grant us patience even in the midst of storms…”

And the Church says: Amen!

Dear Gogolights, rejoice in the truth that you are in the very heartbeat of God (Eph. 1:6). You have a new heart (Eze. 36:26–27), for you are a new creation (2Cor. 5:17). Therefore, your heart, by design, should be for God! Pant after him with a loving desire. One sure way to express this is your food approach towards the Word of God. Learn more about this approach by listening to Pastor Dammy’s sermon titled: FACEBOOK — Part 4 (The Culture)

Thank you for reading and also sharing your reflections.

See you tomorrow, beloveds.

Grace to you, Church!