Today’s passage: 1 Samuel 11:1-15
Helpful thoughts:
- Chapter 11 provides the occasion that Israel has been asking for (8:20)
- Saul’s rise to popularity and respect matches many of the elements of the victories in the period of the Judges. This narratives sounds like it belongs in that book, except that Saul had already been anointed as the king.
- When Israel was called out for rejecting God, they reiterated their rejection. When Israel saw that some had rejected Saul, they called for their execution.
Questions to consider:
- When did fearful Saul become a brave leader (Verse 6)? When did all the people become as one man (Verse 7)? Who brought this about?
- Who did Saul give the credit to for Israel’s victory? What did this decision of leadership lead to?
- How could a passage like this exemplify the confusion of God’s people? God did save them on this day from the Ammonites! But, what direction was Israel heading? What mentality did this victory drive in for the nation? Israel was praising God for giving them what they wanted when what they wanted was not good. How might this truth challenge our thinking on spirituality and the ways we measure godliness today?