1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,480 Speaker 1: Let us pray, And Samuel said, what hast thou done? 2 00:00:06,559 --> 00:00:09,880 Speaker 1: And Saul said, because I saw that the people were 3 00:00:09,920 --> 00:00:13,119 Speaker 1: scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the 4 00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:17,919 Speaker 1: days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Migmash, 5 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:24,280 Speaker 1: First Samuel thirteen eleven. Dear God, to day, I declare 6 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: that a new day is upon me. To day, I 7 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 1: declare that a living a victorious life is my new 8 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:35,879 Speaker 1: norm and not my exception. As the victory over my 9 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:39,920 Speaker 1: circumstances increases, I will not act as Saul in First 10 00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 1: Samuel thirteen and allow my ambition and anxieties cause me 11 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:47,239 Speaker 1: to move and act on things that you have commanded 12 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:53,280 Speaker 1: me to wait on. Holy Spirit, quicken my courage so 13 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,280 Speaker 1: that I will not let the appearance of troubles cause 14 00:00:56,320 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 1: me to step outside my character and God given peace. 15 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:04,720 Speaker 1: I will wait patiently for you and your instructions as 16 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 1: it pertains to the plans for my future. I denounce negative, 17 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:14,120 Speaker 1: prideful behaviors and arrogance from my mind. I declare that 18 00:01:14,319 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 1: I am calm, centered, and clear headed in the face 19 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:22,520 Speaker 1: of trials, for I know that you are always with me. 20 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:27,319 Speaker 1: I thank you that my resolve has been strengthened, and 21 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 1: that my reliance is on my obedience, which pleases you 22 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:40,120 Speaker 1: more than my sacrifices in Jesus name, Amen. Listening to 23 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 1: these daily prayers strengthens your relationship with God. Continue hearing 24 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:48,360 Speaker 1: from the Lord by listening to today's Bible in a Year, 25 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:51,640 Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a Year dot com. 26 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 2: Paul and Samuel. In our last story, we witnessed Saul's 27 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:08,880 Speaker 2: rise as king. He led the Israelites into victory over 28 00:02:08,919 --> 00:02:14,040 Speaker 2: the Ammonites, and all the people rejoiced over their new leader. However, 29 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:18,360 Speaker 2: a flickering light of pride dwelt within Saul's heart. In 30 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:22,119 Speaker 2: this story, we learn how Samuel sees right through Saul's 31 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:27,000 Speaker 2: strong and noble appearance and confronts him, inspired by the 32 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:28,400 Speaker 2: Book of First Samuel. 33 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 3: Hello, this is Jack Graham with today's episode of the 34 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:37,240 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. Yesterday, we heard about King 35 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:40,520 Speaker 3: Saul's first battle as the leader of God's people. His 36 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 3: heart was focused on God and his army soundly defeated 37 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:46,760 Speaker 3: the Ammonites. Saul gave glory to God in that moment, 38 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:50,920 Speaker 3: recognizing the Lord for delivering Israel from her enemy. But 39 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:54,760 Speaker 3: even In that moment, pride began to creep in. And 40 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:58,160 Speaker 3: in today's scripture we'll see that God's Prophet Samuel isn't 41 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:03,840 Speaker 3: fooled by Saul's outwards of humility. The great Prophet recognizes 42 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:07,360 Speaker 3: the pride that is seeping into the king's heart. God's 43 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:09,920 Speaker 3: man will call out the king, But how will the 44 00:03:09,960 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 3: young ruler respond? Let's listen now to find out. 45 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 2: Samuel was old and weary. The people's grumbling for a 46 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:23,320 Speaker 2: king was answered, and Samuel retired himself to the outskirts 47 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:28,440 Speaker 2: of Israel, where he dwelt. Samuel watched over Israel silently, 48 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:32,920 Speaker 2: being attentive to the voice of God. Though Saul was king, 49 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:38,440 Speaker 2: Samuel was still priest over Israel. All matters of worship, prayer, 50 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 2: and speaking for God were solely Samuel's responsibility. Saul had 51 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:47,120 Speaker 2: been ruling for two years and had established himself as 52 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:51,600 Speaker 2: a great warrior king. Saul's tact strength, and image of 53 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:55,840 Speaker 2: humility made him beloved by the people. After a while, 54 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 2: it was time for Saul to mount an offence against 55 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:03,640 Speaker 2: the Philistines. Saul chose three thousand of his finest warriors 56 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:06,680 Speaker 2: and took two thousand to the hill country of Bethel. 57 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 2: The other thousand went with his son Jonathan, to the 58 00:04:10,320 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 2: land of Benjamin, where some Philistines had begun attacking. Jonathan 59 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 2: was a young man, strong and also loved by the people. 60 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:23,000 Speaker 2: While Saul wore humility like a costume, Jonathan was truly humble. 61 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:27,200 Speaker 2: With his men behind him, Jonathan stormed the city where 62 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:31,560 Speaker 2: the Philistines held Israelites hostage, and struck them down swiftly. 63 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:35,480 Speaker 2: All of the Philistines caught word of their victory, and 64 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:39,840 Speaker 2: their anger against Israel grew. That day, Saul blew the 65 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:43,039 Speaker 2: trumpet of victory, signifying that they had taken back the 66 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 2: land of Benjamin. This riled up the rest of Israel 67 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:51,279 Speaker 2: to join Saul for another battle at Gilgal. Saul was 68 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 2: glowing with pride, and his heart grew addicted to the 69 00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:57,719 Speaker 2: praise and loyalty of his people. It did not take 70 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:01,600 Speaker 2: long for the Philistines to retaliate in the distance. Thirty 71 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 2: thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen scattered like sand on 72 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:09,839 Speaker 2: the sea shore. The horizon was blackened by the soldiers. 73 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 2: The Philistine foot soldiers hid in caves, holes and rocks 74 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:17,680 Speaker 2: near by and waiting for Israel. It was an army 75 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:21,279 Speaker 2: unlike any of them had ever seen. The vastness of 76 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 2: their people coupled with the strength of their chariots, sent 77 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:29,080 Speaker 2: chills down the Israelite spines. If Saul wanted to fight them, 78 00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:32,800 Speaker 2: he had to cross below the canyons. Slowly, the men 79 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:37,960 Speaker 2: of Israel walked towards Gilgal. Every sound and movement startled them. 80 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:41,160 Speaker 2: They were all waiting for the Philistine hoarde to emerge 81 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:45,200 Speaker 2: from the darkness to attack. The sound of armors shaking 82 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:49,360 Speaker 2: echoed through the canyons. They finally came to a place 83 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:53,600 Speaker 2: to camp at Gilgal and waited for Samuel. For Samuel 84 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:55,880 Speaker 2: had told them he would come to make a sacrifice 85 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:58,919 Speaker 2: to God before they went into battle. The people of 86 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:02,080 Speaker 2: Israel had finally found a rhythm of obedience to God. 87 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 2: Before every battle, Samuel would lead them in worship to 88 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 2: ask God for favor. This was a pattern they had 89 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:12,320 Speaker 2: not had in years, and God was very pleased with 90 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:16,440 Speaker 2: their obedience. Yet seven days had passed and Samuel had 91 00:06:16,480 --> 00:06:21,320 Speaker 2: still not arrived. Saul grew anxious. He wanted bloodshed, He 92 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 2: wanted the battle to be over with the people were 93 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:28,159 Speaker 2: growing restless, and Saul's men began to depart. Saul, out 94 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:31,640 Speaker 2: of fear people would not trust him, spoke saying, just 95 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,359 Speaker 2: bring the peace offering to me. I will make the 96 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:39,320 Speaker 2: sacrifice to God. Saul hastily and sloppily offered the sacrifice 97 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 2: and led people in worship. Saul worshiped God with no reverence, love, 98 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:48,000 Speaker 2: or intensity. Instead, he sought as a chore that needed 99 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 2: to be done quickly before they went into battle. As 100 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 2: Saul had finished, behold, Samuel stood behind him. Saul looked 101 00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:00,840 Speaker 2: at Samuel's eyes. They shot right through him. His gaze 102 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 2: was piercing and reflected the intensity of God. What have 103 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:08,840 Speaker 2: you done, Samuel said to Saul. Saul gave a nervous 104 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 2: laugh and said, the people were growing nervous because you 105 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 2: were late, and the Philistines are ready for battle. Saul 106 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 2: continued to smile and feign ignorance. I had no choice 107 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:22,240 Speaker 2: but to begin the offering as king. I had to 108 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 2: seek favor from God. Samuel saw right through Saul. He 109 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 2: knew Saul only did it out of compulsion. He rushed 110 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 2: the worship of God to appease his own anxiety. Not 111 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 2: only that, but he was not a priest or chosen 112 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:40,640 Speaker 2: by God to speak for him. You are a fool, Saul, 113 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:44,760 Speaker 2: Samuel said, your kingdom will be as temporary as your 114 00:07:44,800 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 2: obedience to God. God has already set his gaze on 115 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:53,240 Speaker 2: another king, a man after his own heart. After saying this, 116 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 2: Samuel vanished and the people followed Saul into battle. 117 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 3: Our story begins with Samuel, now an aged man. He 118 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 3: is no longer judged over Israel, as a new era 119 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 3: has begun and Saul is now king, leading the people 120 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 3: of Israel. But Samuel is still God's chosen priest and 121 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:19,760 Speaker 3: his prophet. He is still God's man. While Saul was 122 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:22,080 Speaker 3: in charge of leading the nation and going into battle 123 00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:25,760 Speaker 3: as the commander, Samuel was charged with worship and leading 124 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:29,920 Speaker 3: the children of Israel spiritually. In just two years as king, 125 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:33,920 Speaker 3: Saul had gained the people's admiration, respect, and loyalty. They 126 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:37,120 Speaker 3: followed him into battle, and God granted them great victories. 127 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:40,680 Speaker 3: If only Saul had remembered his first battle, when he 128 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:44,480 Speaker 3: acknowledged that the victory belonged to the Lord, then his 129 00:08:44,559 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 3: life would have gone in a different direction. But when 130 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:50,840 Speaker 3: everyone around you tells you how great you are, you 131 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 3: begin to believe it. And Saul was hearing a lot 132 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:57,080 Speaker 3: about how great he was from the people. Saul called 133 00:08:57,120 --> 00:09:00,400 Speaker 3: up an army to do battle with the Philistines, was 134 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:04,480 Speaker 3: split into two camps. Saul's son Jonathan, defeated the first 135 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 3: of the enemy's units, and the people celebrated the victory, 136 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:11,480 Speaker 3: praising Saul for the wind. But there were other Philistines 137 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 3: mounting an attack in Gilgo. This was a much larger 138 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:18,720 Speaker 3: army and the people of Israel were fearful, so Saul 139 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:22,200 Speaker 3: called on Samuel to offer sacrifices to God before the battle. 140 00:09:22,480 --> 00:09:26,040 Speaker 3: It was an act of worship that pleased God. All 141 00:09:26,120 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 3: was going well until Samuel delayed his arriving. The frightened 142 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:33,800 Speaker 3: Israelites began to disperse, and Saul felt his control slipping. 143 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:36,760 Speaker 3: He must have thought to himself, I can do this 144 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:39,960 Speaker 3: on my own. I don't need Samuel, I don't need God. 145 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 3: But he did. He needed God and God's men. This 146 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:48,559 Speaker 3: was a sacred position, and it was Samuel's responsibility in calling. 147 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:53,080 Speaker 3: Saul was now impulsive and too sure of himself, so 148 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 3: he offered the sacrifices himself on his own. This was disobedience, 149 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:03,079 Speaker 3: just like when a child has acted impatiently and disobeyed 150 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:05,959 Speaker 3: a parent. Samuel shows up just in time to catch 151 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:09,680 Speaker 3: Saul in the act. When Samuel confronts Sau, he hears 152 00:10:09,720 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 3: no contrition or apologies and sees no repentance. Saul only 153 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 3: had excuses. He tried to rationalize his way out of it. 154 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 3: But Samuel and of course God saw right through the facade, 155 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 3: and the cause of his pride and arrogance was impulsively high. 156 00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:29,480 Speaker 3: Samuel speaks to Saul in First Samuel thirteen fourteen and 157 00:10:29,559 --> 00:10:34,560 Speaker 3: says this, but now your kingdom shall not continue. The 158 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 3: Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, 159 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 3: and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over 160 00:10:39,440 --> 00:10:41,920 Speaker 3: his people. Because you have not kept what the Lord 161 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:46,440 Speaker 3: commanded you, Saul forfeits his right to be king because 162 00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:51,520 Speaker 3: he disobeyed God. After Samuel confronts Saul, he then went away, 163 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 3: leaving Saul to go into battle. But Saul's story isn't over. 164 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 3: So much needs to happen before the new king comes 165 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 3: on the scene, and will hear more of Saul's story 166 00:11:01,880 --> 00:11:06,240 Speaker 3: next time. God, may we obey you, and not partially 167 00:11:06,320 --> 00:11:10,080 Speaker 3: but completely. May we humbly and obediently do what you 168 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:13,439 Speaker 3: tell us to do. Always help us not to seek 169 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 3: the praise of men, but only you. May we be 170 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:20,040 Speaker 3: men and women after your heart. And we pray this 171 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:23,760 Speaker 3: in the name of your son Jesus. Amen. Thank you 172 00:11:23,800 --> 00:11:26,920 Speaker 3: for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm 173 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:30,960 Speaker 3: pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download thepray dot Com 174 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:34,400 Speaker 3: app and make Bible study and prayer a priority in 175 00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:37,920 Speaker 3: your life. If you enjoyed this podcast, please share it 176 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:40,720 Speaker 3: with someone you know because it can make a genuine, 177 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:44,760 Speaker 3: even eternal difference in their lives. And if you want 178 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:47,679 Speaker 3: more resources on how you can know the power of 179 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 3: God through Jesus Christ, then visit Jack Graham dot org.