WEBVTT - Tony Evans - Oct 21 - 7:30 pm

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<v Speaker 1>Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, your host for the Heroes

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<v Speaker 1>in the Bible podcast. Before we begin, be sure to

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<v Speaker 1>follow this podcast on Apple or Spotify so that you're

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<v Speaker 1>updated on the newest episodes as they become available. Welcome

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<v Speaker 1>to The Epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,

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<v Speaker 1>and murder. While most people know of David the myth,

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<v Speaker 1>few know about David the man. I'm glad you're here

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<v Speaker 1>with me as we mine the depths of this renowned tale.

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<v Speaker 1>In this episode, we continue to follow the rise of Saul,

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<v Speaker 1>the first king of Israel. We are still waiting with

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<v Speaker 1>bated breath to see what Saul will become. Is he

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<v Speaker 1>plotting to be a tyrant? Will he end up being

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<v Speaker 1>the hero everyone hopes for? What about the inklings of

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<v Speaker 1>pride we saw slithering into the scene last episode? What

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<v Speaker 1>we see in this portion of the story that Saul

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<v Speaker 1>is everything Israel expected and more. He shows integrity, strength, follow-through,

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<v Speaker 1>and a dozen other qualities that anyone would want in

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<v Speaker 1>a leader. We must not forget what Saul represents. He

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<v Speaker 1>is man's attempt to appear strong while ignoring the true

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<v Speaker 1>strength that God offers. So while we may see epic

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<v Speaker 1>feats of strength and bravery in this chapter, it is

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<v Speaker 1>drawn from a shallow well. But the heart of God

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<v Speaker 1>is revealed at the end when Samuel gives Saul a

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<v Speaker 1>sad and foreboding coronation. We will begin this episode with

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<v Speaker 1>a prelude, a story from another point in time that

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<v Speaker 1>whispers similar truths. We will meet another group of people

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<v Speaker 1>who attempt to replace God for something shiny and new.

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<v Speaker 1>They turn from the faithfulness of God and erect a

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<v Speaker 1>false idol. Will God remain faithful despite their unfaithfulness? Stay

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<v Speaker 1>at the end of this episode and listen to me

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<v Speaker 1>unpack some of the themes, Easter eggs, and more. But

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<v Speaker 1>for now, let's begin Episode 2, Long Live the King.

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<v Speaker 2>Prelude to Chapter 2 The top of Mount Sinai was

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<v Speaker 2>shrouded in a mysterious cloud. Lightning burst from its edges

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<v Speaker 2>but made no sound. The people watched in awe for

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<v Speaker 2>days as they anxiously awaited the return of Moses. He

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<v Speaker 2>had gone up to speak to the Lord, but had

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<v Speaker 2>not returned in days. Those days became weeks, and the

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<v Speaker 2>people were growing unsteady. Finally, they came to Aaron. They

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<v Speaker 2>cornered him with anxious energy and demanded him to do

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<v Speaker 2>something for them.

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<v Speaker 3>They said, We do not know what has become of Moses.

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<v Speaker 3>He is dead for all we know. We want to

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<v Speaker 3>worship a God that we can touch and see.

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<v Speaker 2>Aaron, admittedly doubtful of Moses' return as well, agreed without question.

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<v Speaker 2>He nodded and said, Take off your rings of gold.

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<v Speaker 4>Have your jewelry come to me, and we shall melt

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<v Speaker 4>them down.

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<v Speaker 2>So the people brought their precious gold to an altar

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<v Speaker 2>of fire. They tossed them in like offerings and watched

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<v Speaker 2>as the flames melted down the precious gold. With the

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<v Speaker 2>newly refined gold, Aaron fashioned for them a golden calf.

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<v Speaker 2>They set it on an altar and danced around it

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<v Speaker 2>with worshipful cheers. They laid down offerings to it and

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<v Speaker 2>feasted before it. They made it in their minds to

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<v Speaker 2>be the God who delivered them. Yet God could see

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<v Speaker 2>what they were doing. They had replaced their true Savior

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<v Speaker 2>with a counterfeit God. The golden calf was a short

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<v Speaker 2>fix to the deep problems that lurked within their hearts.

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<v Speaker 2>They wanted something to look upon and justify their pride.

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<v Speaker 2>If they worshipped a god, they could build, touch, and manipulate.

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<v Speaker 2>It did not have power over them. They had power

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<v Speaker 2>over it. In their own way, by making the golden calf,

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<v Speaker 2>they made themselves gods over their own lives. This rejection

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<v Speaker 2>of the Lord their Savior would continue for generations and

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<v Speaker 2>generations to come. Self-worship would cause them to erect statues,

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<v Speaker 2>elect kings, and worship at the feet of human invention.

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<v Speaker 2>These counterfeit gods would always fail them. The people of

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<v Speaker 2>God would always find themselves lacking strength to save themselves,

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<v Speaker 2>and the Lord of all creation would always bend down

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<v Speaker 2>to redeem his people, even after they rejected him. Ash

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<v Speaker 2>fell like snow over the village of Jabesh-Gilead. A dark

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<v Speaker 2>cloud draped the land in darkness, and the sun was

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<v Speaker 2>made red as the smoke enveloped every inch of the sky.

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<v Speaker 2>Just outside the village walls, flames raged where a field

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<v Speaker 2>of barley once stood. Panicked villagers drew water from the

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<v Speaker 2>well and dumped it onto the flames. However, the field

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<v Speaker 2>was already lost. The fire raged and devoured the barley

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<v Speaker 2>in a matter of minutes. Watching over the flames was

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<v Speaker 2>the Ammonite king, Nahash. The vast Ammonite army stood at

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<v Speaker 2>attention behind him. He was mounted atop a dark horse.

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<v Speaker 2>His broad chest and shoulders were bound tightly together under

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<v Speaker 2>dark leather armor. His thick hair fell over his sadistic eyes.

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<v Speaker 2>The people quivered in fear as he and his army

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<v Speaker 2>slowly descended down the hill and passed the flames. Men

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<v Speaker 2>gathered whatever weapons or tools they had to fight and

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<v Speaker 2>ran outside the village. They attacked the giant army like

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<v Speaker 2>mice to cats. The Ammonites quickly engulfed the villagers. In

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<v Speaker 2>a matter of minutes, the flames in the field were

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<v Speaker 2>made larger with the bodies of murdered villagers. The vast

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<v Speaker 2>Ammonite army flooded Jabesh Gilead. The king rode into the

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<v Speaker 2>heart of the village and drew out his sword. The

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<v Speaker 2>sound of the metal being unsheathed echoed through the silence.

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<v Speaker 2>No one dared step out of their home. Still mounted

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<v Speaker 2>on his dark warhorse, Nahash banged his sword against his

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<v Speaker 2>shield and shouted. His bloodthirsty clamoring sent chills down the

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<v Speaker 2>people's spines. The Ammonite king breathed in the smoke and

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<v Speaker 2>rose his head to the red sun. He soaked it

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<v Speaker 2>in like a springtime breeze and gave a crooked smile.

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<v Speaker 2>He gestured to his general standing at attention nearby.

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<v Speaker 5>Bring me the elders, if they haven't run away by now.

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<v Speaker 2>He demanded swiftly. The elders of Jabesh-Gilead were drug out

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<v Speaker 2>by their beards and hair onto the dirt. The Ammonite

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<v Speaker 2>soldiers surrounded them with swords drawn. Nahash dismounted his horse

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<v Speaker 2>and stood over the elders. He gave his sword and

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<v Speaker 2>shield to his attendant and looked down at the elders.

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<v Speaker 5>Your frail village is mine, Hebrews. Every man here will

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<v Speaker 5>be killed. I will take the women and children as

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<v Speaker 5>I please.

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<v Speaker 2>He explained. Please, no. The elders begged.

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<v Speaker 4>We will make a treaty with you. We will not

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<v Speaker 4>struggle or fight. We will serve you and pay homage

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<v Speaker 4>to your kingdom. Do not kill us.

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<v Speaker 2>Nahash gave a rapacious smile. He looked at his men

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<v Speaker 2>and they laughed. The elders shook in fear as the

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<v Speaker 2>king knelt down to one of the men and grabbed

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<v Speaker 2>him by the ear.

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<v Speaker 5>Ah, it is a treaty you want, eh?

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<v Speaker 2>Tears streamed down the man's face as Nahash took out

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<v Speaker 2>his blade and held it against the man's cheek.

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<v Speaker 5>I will make a treaty with you. Here is my condition.

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<v Speaker 5>I get to gouge out the right eye of every

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<v Speaker 5>man in this village. If you agree, I will spare

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<v Speaker 5>your lives and leave your women and children alone. You

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<v Speaker 5>will serve me, pay me taxes, and labor in my fields.

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<v Speaker 2>It was a cruel demand. Half-blinding the men of the

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<v Speaker 2>village ensured they would be weak and unable to battle

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<v Speaker 2>effectively if they ever chose to revolt. Gouging out the

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<v Speaker 2>right eye was worse than giving them chains, and far

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<v Speaker 2>more cruel. As Nahash lifted the tip of the dagger

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<v Speaker 2>near the man's eye, one of the elders lifted his

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<v Speaker 2>voice and said, Give us seven days. He was frantic

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<v Speaker 2>and wanting to save his fellow tribesmen. Nahash looked at

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<v Speaker 2>him curiously.

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<v Speaker 4>Give us seven. seven days so we might send messengers

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<v Speaker 4>to the other territories of Israel. If no one rises

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<v Speaker 4>up to save us, we will give ourselves to you

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<v Speaker 4>and we will meet your demands.

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<v Speaker 2>Nahash pondered his plea with his dagger still lifted up

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<v Speaker 2>to the man's eye. Very well, the king replied. Nahash

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<v Speaker 2>was confident in the weakness of Israel. They were large

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<v Speaker 2>but disunified. The twelve tribes were unable to help one another.

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<v Speaker 2>Nahash also reveled in the idea of his reputation being

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<v Speaker 2>spread throughout the nation.

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<v Speaker 5>Send your messengers. I welcome anyone who dares rise up

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<v Speaker 5>against me.

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<v Speaker 2>As he said this, he lifted his dagger and drove

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<v Speaker 2>it through the man's eye. He writhed in pain. His

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<v Speaker 2>screams echoed throughout the village. Nahash turned his back to

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<v Speaker 2>the panicked elders and mouthed his horse again. He gestured

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<v Speaker 2>for his men to turn back and camp outside the village.

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<v Speaker 2>He would give them seven days. Then, He would descend

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<v Speaker 2>upon Jabesh-Gilead with fury. The elders gathered messengers and sent

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<v Speaker 2>them throughout all the twelve tribes of Israel. They knew

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<v Speaker 2>that they lacked the strength to save themselves. They needed salvation.

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<v Speaker 2>So they cried out for a savior. The news of

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<v Speaker 2>the Ammonite army spread throughout the rest of Israel. The

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<v Speaker 2>messengers rode swiftly into each city and village, begging for aid.

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<v Speaker 2>Each report was met with sorrowful tears and weeping. However,

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<v Speaker 2>not one person offered aid. The people of Israel heard

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<v Speaker 2>their suffering brothers and sisters, wept aloud in sympathy, yet

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<v Speaker 2>did nothing in response. No sword was taken up, no

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<v Speaker 2>man was stirred to action, and no elder was moved

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<v Speaker 2>to mobilize soldiers. Their fear and comfort was far more

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<v Speaker 2>powerful than their convictions. Saul drove his feet into the

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<v Speaker 2>churned-up dirt, directing the giant plow as his oxen pulled forward.

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<v Speaker 2>His back was red and sweating from hours of working

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<v Speaker 2>in the field. The work calmed Saul's racing mind.

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<v Speaker 6>King of Israel. he thought to himself. How can I

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<v Speaker 6>lead a people that have been so disunified and fickle

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<v Speaker 6>for so long? Where do I even begin?

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<v Speaker 2>Saul had been anointed and recognized as king of Israel

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<v Speaker 2>before the people. Yet he was at a loss for

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<v Speaker 2>how to begin. He had to establish a royal court

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<v Speaker 2>to create laws. gather elders to communicate those laws, and

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<v Speaker 2>recruit an army to enforce those laws. There was much

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<v Speaker 2>for him to do, but he lacked the knowledge on

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<v Speaker 2>how to lay the groundwork for his kingdom. So Saul

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<v Speaker 2>remained in his field, awaiting a call from God about

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<v Speaker 2>his first steps. He plowed, tilled, and began to plant

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<v Speaker 2>seed for next season's harvest. The sun's harsh glare dimmed

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<v Speaker 2>as the day drew to a close. The evening breeze

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<v Speaker 2>rolled in from the hills, and Saul's sweating face turned

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<v Speaker 2>cold with the chill. He led his oxen back to

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<v Speaker 2>the stables, fed them, and hauled the yoke back to

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<v Speaker 2>his home. As he entered the gate back into his

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<v Speaker 2>father's house, he could sense an unrest among the servants

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<v Speaker 2>and members of the household. A few of the women

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<v Speaker 2>were weeping and holding their children. What is wrong? Saul

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<v Speaker 2>asked gently. The woman simply looked up and pointed to

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<v Speaker 2>the horizons. Saul looked and saw a plume of smoke

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<v Speaker 2>rising in the distance.

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<v Speaker 6>Is that Jabesh Gilead?

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<v Speaker 2>Saul asked.

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<v Speaker 6>It is.

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<v Speaker 2>One of the women said, wiping away her tears.

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<v Speaker 1>Some messengers from the village just passed through.

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<v Speaker 6>It is under siege by the Ammonites. They have five

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<v Speaker 6>more days until they are enslaved and tortured.

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<v Speaker 2>Saul said nothing. He ran into the halls of his

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<v Speaker 2>father's household. His father, uncle, and Samuel... were by the

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<v Speaker 2>fire in intense discussion. Did you hear the messengers? Saul inquired.

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<v Speaker 6>Is Jabesh under attack?

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<v Speaker 2>The three of them confirmed it was true. Saul met

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<v Speaker 2>Samuel's gaze. He said nothing. He only nodded and rushed

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<v Speaker 2>out the door to his home. He burst through the

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<v Speaker 2>door and opened up the chest at the foot of

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<v Speaker 2>his bed. In it was leather armor. It was tattered

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<v Speaker 2>and old, but thick and sturdy. Saul strapped it firmly

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<v Speaker 2>over his tunic. He grabbed his sword and marched out

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<v Speaker 2>of the house. As the sun set, bright red rays

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<v Speaker 2>spread across the skies. Saul looked up and could feel

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<v Speaker 2>a rush of purpose burning in his veins. His blood

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<v Speaker 2>boiled with righteous rage. The Spirit of God rushed upon Saul.

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<v Speaker 2>God had given Saul the holy fury of a defender.

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<v Speaker 2>Saul hopped the fence into the stables where he had

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<v Speaker 2>fed the oxen. He took both of them and led

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<v Speaker 2>them outside under the red sunset. He held the oxen's

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<v Speaker 2>rope in one hand and his sword firmly in the other. Then,

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<v Speaker 2>with a powerful thrust of his blade, he cut into

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<v Speaker 2>the ox. The blood spilled all over the floor, matching

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<v Speaker 2>the red skies above them. Saul cried out as he

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<v Speaker 2>tore the oxen limb from limb. He panted heavily with

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<v Speaker 2>the torn apart oxen beneath his feet.

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<v Speaker 6>Tavi!

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<v Speaker 2>Saul yelled. His servant was watching from behind the stables.

0:13:04.860 --> 0:13:09.420
<v Speaker 2>Tavi inched forward slowly, avoiding the blood from below. Saul's

0:13:09.559 --> 0:13:14.150
<v Speaker 2>eyes darted at him. Something was different about Saul. His voice,

0:13:14.650 --> 0:13:16.930
<v Speaker 2>his eyes, and his demeanor had changed.

0:13:17.330 --> 0:13:19.910
<v Speaker 6>Gather some of the other servants and have them take

0:13:20.010 --> 0:13:23.070
<v Speaker 6>these pieces of oxen to all the twelve tribes.

0:13:22.750 --> 0:13:24.120
<v Speaker 2>Of Israel, Saul said.

0:13:24.620 --> 0:13:28.340
<v Speaker 6>Tell them whoever does not follow Saul and Samuel into

0:13:28.420 --> 0:13:32.960
<v Speaker 6>battle to defend Jabesh will be torn apart like these oxen.

0:13:33.760 --> 0:13:36.850
<v Speaker 6>We are Israel. We are united.

0:13:37.410 --> 0:13:40.010
<v Speaker 4>And we will come to the aid of our brothers.

0:13:40.570 --> 0:13:43.310
<v Speaker 2>Tavi nodded and gathered the other servants to take Saul's

0:13:43.370 --> 0:13:47.170
<v Speaker 2>message to the masses. Saul wiped off his sword, sheathed it,

0:13:47.429 --> 0:13:50.870
<v Speaker 2>and took some of his men to Bezek. The messengers

0:13:50.929 --> 0:13:53.890
<v Speaker 2>made Saul's demands known to the entire nation of Israel.

0:13:54.550 --> 0:13:57.010
<v Speaker 2>It was the first command of their new king, and

0:13:57.030 --> 0:14:00.250
<v Speaker 2>the fear of the Lord rushed upon them. Men gathered

0:14:00.270 --> 0:14:03.090
<v Speaker 2>whatever weapons they had and marched to meet Saul at Bezek.

0:14:03.809 --> 0:14:06.230
<v Speaker 2>The Spirit of God was on the move among his people,

0:14:06.790 --> 0:14:09.630
<v Speaker 2>and he was using Saul as an instrument of his justice.

0:14:09.630 --> 0:14:15.260
<v Speaker 2>300,000 men from 11 tribes came forward, and 30,000 from

0:14:15.280 --> 0:14:18.240
<v Speaker 2>the tribe of Judah. Saul was there to greet them.

0:14:18.940 --> 0:14:21.340
<v Speaker 2>He stood among them with tattered armor and a dull blade,

0:14:21.900 --> 0:14:25.729
<v Speaker 2>yet he still looked magnificent before the people. Saul gathered

0:14:25.770 --> 0:14:28.350
<v Speaker 2>commanders from each tribe and met with them in his tent.

0:14:29.030 --> 0:14:32.310
<v Speaker 2>By the fire, they strategized about their plan of attack.

0:14:33.270 --> 0:14:35.580
<v Speaker 2>Saul sent his son Jonathan as a spy to scout

0:14:35.620 --> 0:14:39.520
<v Speaker 2>out the Ammonite camp. They were sitting ducks. Nahash had

0:14:39.600 --> 0:14:42.260
<v Speaker 2>not expected anyone from Israel to rise up against them,

0:14:42.840 --> 0:14:46.350
<v Speaker 2>so they kept no watch and kept no guard. Instead,

0:14:46.450 --> 0:14:49.110
<v Speaker 2>they ate by the fire and awaited their inevitable victory.

0:14:49.870 --> 0:14:52.710
<v Speaker 2>Saul knew that if they stood a chance against the Ammonites,

0:14:53.130 --> 0:14:56.470
<v Speaker 2>they would have to strike swiftly and without notice. Saul

0:14:56.510 --> 0:14:58.430
<v Speaker 2>gathered a few messengers to go to Jabesh.

0:14:58.780 --> 0:15:02.440
<v Speaker 6>Tell them we have come. Tell them tomorrow, by the

0:15:02.480 --> 0:15:06.460
<v Speaker 6>time the sun is set firmly above them, they shall

0:15:06.540 --> 0:15:07.420
<v Speaker 6>have salvation.

0:15:08.240 --> 0:15:11.120
<v Speaker 2>Saul looked to his newly appointed commanders and gave them

0:15:11.200 --> 0:15:12.020
<v Speaker 2>a resolute grin.

0:15:12.570 --> 0:15:16.490
<v Speaker 6>And tell them to surrender to Nahash. Tell them to

0:15:16.630 --> 0:15:20.230
<v Speaker 6>give themselves up, but not to worry. We will come

0:15:20.290 --> 0:15:23.690
<v Speaker 6>before they have a chance to strike. The messengers brought

0:15:23.730 --> 0:15:26.979
<v Speaker 6>Saul's encouragement to the elders of Jabesh. They did as

0:15:27.020 --> 0:15:29.680
<v Speaker 6>they were told and sent their own messengers to Nahash.

0:15:30.820 --> 0:15:34.400
<v Speaker 6>The Ammonites cheered and scoffed at Israel. That night, they

0:15:34.500 --> 0:15:37.720
<v Speaker 6>danced and celebrated in their camp. As the skies grew

0:15:37.760 --> 0:15:41.170
<v Speaker 6>dark Nahash and his men plotted their takeover of Jabesh.

0:15:41.890 --> 0:15:45.240
<v Speaker 6>He was unaware that only a few miles away, Israel's

0:15:45.320 --> 0:15:50.260
<v Speaker 6>new king was sharpening his blade. Saul did not sleep

0:15:50.300 --> 0:15:53.200
<v Speaker 6>that night. He stared at the fire blankly while his

0:15:53.260 --> 0:15:56.620
<v Speaker 6>men rested. His eyes were fixed on the flame swaying

0:15:56.680 --> 0:15:59.260
<v Speaker 6>back and forth with the breeze. He looked at the

0:15:59.300 --> 0:16:02.400
<v Speaker 6>heat of the coals radiating. The red center of each

0:16:02.500 --> 0:16:06.710
<v Speaker 6>individual coal beat like hearts. Saul poked them with his sword.

0:16:07.280 --> 0:16:11.060
<v Speaker 6>ensuring each remain within the flames. He breathed in deeply

0:16:11.280 --> 0:16:14.180
<v Speaker 6>and looked forward to the hills. The Ammonites were on

0:16:14.210 --> 0:16:18.510
<v Speaker 6>the other side, no doubt sleeping without fear. Saul looked

0:16:18.570 --> 0:16:21.950
<v Speaker 6>over to his son, Jonathan, sleeping soundly beside the fire.

0:16:22.710 --> 0:16:25.910
<v Speaker 6>He wanted a better future for his son. He wanted

0:16:25.950 --> 0:16:28.950
<v Speaker 6>a better future for all the children of Israel. He

0:16:29.010 --> 0:16:31.320
<v Speaker 6>knew that the kingdom would never last as long as

0:16:31.390 --> 0:16:34.100
<v Speaker 6>other nations saw them as weak. He had to make

0:16:34.140 --> 0:16:37.070
<v Speaker 6>an example of the Ammonites. He had to show them

0:16:37.110 --> 0:16:39.730
<v Speaker 6>that God's chosen people were not to be trifled with.

0:16:42.800 --> 0:16:46.340
<v Speaker 6>Sunrise was approaching, and the morning mist slithered its way

0:16:46.400 --> 0:16:49.800
<v Speaker 6>between the forest outside Jabesh. The night watch of the

0:16:49.860 --> 0:16:52.540
<v Speaker 6>Ammonite camp had gone to sleep, and the morning watch

0:16:52.600 --> 0:16:56.000
<v Speaker 6>was beginning its post. They lazily only set a watch

0:16:56.070 --> 0:16:58.350
<v Speaker 6>on the side of their camp facing the village of Jabesh.

0:16:59.010 --> 0:17:02.770
<v Speaker 6>They knew no villager would dare charge them. However, edging

0:17:02.850 --> 0:17:05.179
<v Speaker 6>quietly through the other side of the forest, was the

0:17:05.260 --> 0:17:08.920
<v Speaker 6>United Army of Israel. Saul had split them into three companies,

0:17:09.400 --> 0:17:12.800
<v Speaker 6>each responsible for prowling on the left, right, and back

0:17:12.840 --> 0:17:16.790
<v Speaker 6>of the Ammonite camp. Each company approached softly and remained

0:17:16.830 --> 0:17:19.669
<v Speaker 6>a hundred yards away from the camp. Saul led the

0:17:19.710 --> 0:17:23.210
<v Speaker 6>company on the right. The men were crouched low and unseen.

0:17:23.990 --> 0:17:26.730
<v Speaker 6>They could see the flickering light coming from the campfires.

0:17:27.609 --> 0:17:30.170
<v Speaker 6>Saul held his men in position until the first light

0:17:30.210 --> 0:17:32.929
<v Speaker 6>of dawn gave them enough light to see. When the

0:17:32.970 --> 0:17:35.850
<v Speaker 6>first light appeared, Saul stood to his feet and drew

0:17:35.910 --> 0:17:38.210
<v Speaker 6>his sword. He rose it high in the air and

0:17:38.330 --> 0:17:39.669
<v Speaker 6>raised his voice loud.

0:17:40.690 --> 0:17:43.230
<v Speaker 2>His deep voice bellowed across the camp for the other

0:17:43.280 --> 0:17:47.209
<v Speaker 2>companies to hear. Then, before the Ammonites could arise to

0:17:47.260 --> 0:17:50.859
<v Speaker 2>grab their weapons, the Israelites charged with the fury of God.

0:17:51.800 --> 0:17:55.859
<v Speaker 2>Saul's legs burst like a stallion's. He quickly separated himself

0:17:55.880 --> 0:17:57.880
<v Speaker 2>from the rest of the group with his sword grasped

0:17:58.040 --> 0:18:00.720
<v Speaker 2>firmly in his hand. He was the first to draw

0:18:00.780 --> 0:18:03.590
<v Speaker 2>blood in the Ammonite camp. breaking through the trees and

0:18:03.670 --> 0:18:06.109
<v Speaker 2>swiping at the neck of a man sitting beside the fire.

0:18:06.670 --> 0:18:09.060
<v Speaker 2>The rest of Israel charged from behind and on the

0:18:09.100 --> 0:18:12.679
<v Speaker 2>side of the camp, catching the Ammonites off guard. However,

0:18:12.700 --> 0:18:16.060
<v Speaker 2>their camp was vast, and the Ammonites were great in number.

0:18:16.780 --> 0:18:19.740
<v Speaker 2>They quickly drew their weapons and began to defend themselves.

0:18:20.420 --> 0:18:22.960
<v Speaker 2>The warriors of Israel drew strength from the passion of

0:18:23.000 --> 0:18:26.720
<v Speaker 2>their king and pressed into the enemy with fire. God's

0:18:26.740 --> 0:18:29.620
<v Speaker 2>spirit was before Saul as he slashed his way through

0:18:29.640 --> 0:18:33.480
<v Speaker 2>the Ammonite camp. Two enemy soldiers ran with spears drawn

0:18:33.520 --> 0:18:37.780
<v Speaker 2>at Saul. One thrust forward, grazing Saul's shoulder. He grabbed

0:18:37.800 --> 0:18:39.960
<v Speaker 2>the shaft of the spear and broke it with his sword.

0:18:40.420 --> 0:18:44.280
<v Speaker 2>He swung around, slashing the soldier's throat. The other Ammonite

0:18:44.359 --> 0:18:47.159
<v Speaker 2>jabbed his spear upward. Saul dodged it and cut the

0:18:47.220 --> 0:18:49.639
<v Speaker 2>man at the calf. As he fell to his knees,

0:18:50.220 --> 0:18:52.330
<v Speaker 2>Saul kicked him in the chest and onto his back.

0:18:53.160 --> 0:18:55.990
<v Speaker 2>Saul pressed his knife into the man's throat and bent down.

0:18:56.510 --> 0:18:57.510
<v Speaker 6>Where is your king?

0:18:57.790 --> 0:19:01.990
<v Speaker 2>He demanded. The Ammonite soldier gasped for air and pointed out.

0:19:02.990 --> 0:19:05.790
<v Speaker 2>Saul looked and saw a tall man clothed in dark

0:19:05.910 --> 0:19:08.730
<v Speaker 2>armor swinging his sword through a group of Israelite soldiers.

0:19:09.750 --> 0:19:13.710
<v Speaker 2>Saul released his knee and marched forward. Flames engulfed the

0:19:13.770 --> 0:19:17.190
<v Speaker 2>tents around him, but his vision was set on Nahash.

0:19:18.280 --> 0:19:20.859
<v Speaker 2>Saul wiped the blood off his brow and quickened his pace.

0:19:21.540 --> 0:19:24.680
<v Speaker 2>Nahash's blade was large and came down with brutal force

0:19:24.700 --> 0:19:27.609
<v Speaker 2>on the shields of the Israelite men. Saul sped up

0:19:27.810 --> 0:19:32.820
<v Speaker 2>and ran towards the Ammonite king. He yelled with vigor.

0:19:33.840 --> 0:19:36.760
<v Speaker 2>The dark king looked up to see Saul sprinting forward

0:19:36.780 --> 0:19:40.660
<v Speaker 2>with his sword ready. Nahash lifted his shield and absorbed

0:19:40.720 --> 0:19:44.369
<v Speaker 2>Saul's first blow. He stumbled back, surprised to see a

0:19:44.410 --> 0:19:47.649
<v Speaker 2>man as large as he was. Saul met him eye

0:19:47.690 --> 0:19:50.430
<v Speaker 2>to eye, and the two of them paced around one another.

0:19:52.020 --> 0:19:53.800
<v Speaker 2>Nahash spat in Saul's direction.

0:19:54.880 --> 0:19:56.600
<v Speaker 4>So this is your army?

0:19:56.720 --> 0:19:57.939
<v Speaker 2>He asked with a chuckle.

0:19:58.619 --> 0:20:01.679
<v Speaker 5>I presume you are this new king I hear the

0:20:01.720 --> 0:20:04.180
<v Speaker 5>men speak of before I kill them.

0:20:04.619 --> 0:20:09.320
<v Speaker 2>Nahash goaded. Saul did not reply. He set his foot

0:20:09.380 --> 0:20:13.959
<v Speaker 2>back lifted his sword, and advanced towards Nahash. The Ammonite

0:20:14.020 --> 0:20:17.659
<v Speaker 2>king welcomed the fight. He burst forward with surprising speed

0:20:17.740 --> 0:20:21.320
<v Speaker 2>and kicked Saul's shield clean off his arm. Saul stumbled back,

0:20:21.700 --> 0:20:25.280
<v Speaker 2>then dodged the first swing of Nahash's sword. Saul rolled

0:20:25.320 --> 0:20:27.720
<v Speaker 2>to his side and swung his sword at Nahash's knee.

0:20:28.330 --> 0:20:30.770
<v Speaker 2>He barely grazed it, but it was enough to pause

0:20:30.810 --> 0:20:34.550
<v Speaker 2>the king's advances. Saul burst forward and swung his sword.

0:20:35.150 --> 0:20:38.310
<v Speaker 2>The two of them sparred. The sound of clanging metal

0:20:38.390 --> 0:20:40.760
<v Speaker 2>pierced Saul's ears as each of them fought to gain

0:20:40.800 --> 0:20:44.399
<v Speaker 2>an advantage over the other. Finally, Saul saw an opening

0:20:44.480 --> 0:20:48.160
<v Speaker 2>on Nahash's side. He jabbed his sword forward, cutting through

0:20:48.220 --> 0:20:52.609
<v Speaker 2>Nahash's armor. Nahash recoiled, then swung down at Saul in

0:20:52.650 --> 0:20:56.010
<v Speaker 2>a fury. As his arms were above his head, Saul

0:20:56.109 --> 0:20:59.889
<v Speaker 2>thrust his sword forward into Nahash's stomach. The king dropped

0:20:59.930 --> 0:21:02.230
<v Speaker 2>his sword and stepped back and fell to his knees.

0:21:02.990 --> 0:21:05.919
<v Speaker 2>Saul drew his sword out of his stomach. The Ammonite

0:21:05.960 --> 0:21:09.160
<v Speaker 2>king said nothing. With blood dripping out of his mouth,

0:21:09.780 --> 0:21:12.160
<v Speaker 2>he simply fell forward with his face to the dirt.

0:21:13.320 --> 0:21:17.400
<v Speaker 2>Saul stood over Nahash's lifeless body panting. His heart felt

0:21:17.460 --> 0:21:19.419
<v Speaker 2>as though it was going to beat out of his chest.

0:21:20.109 --> 0:21:22.410
<v Speaker 2>His arms were heavy and his head began to swell.

0:21:23.230 --> 0:21:26.010
<v Speaker 2>Behind him, Saul could hear the cheering of his men.

0:21:26.869 --> 0:21:28.970
<v Speaker 2>He turned to see the tide of the battle swinging

0:21:29.050 --> 0:21:33.070
<v Speaker 2>back to Israel. Saul looked up. The sun was high

0:21:33.130 --> 0:21:36.270
<v Speaker 2>above the sky. They had been fighting into the afternoon.

0:21:37.150 --> 0:21:40.300
<v Speaker 2>The king smiled. He had kept his promise to the

0:21:40.359 --> 0:21:43.580
<v Speaker 2>people of Jabesh. The sun was set firmly in the

0:21:43.640 --> 0:21:46.280
<v Speaker 2>middle of the sky, and the battle had been won.

0:21:47.160 --> 0:21:50.500
<v Speaker 2>The surviving Ammonites had fled, and the scorched earth outside

0:21:50.520 --> 0:21:53.190
<v Speaker 2>the village of Jabesh was painted red with the blood

0:21:53.210 --> 0:21:59.250
<v Speaker 2>of the enemy. Shouts of victory and praise to God

0:21:59.310 --> 0:22:03.020
<v Speaker 2>and Saul echoed through every city in Israel. Men, women,

0:22:03.060 --> 0:22:06.270
<v Speaker 2>and children sang songs of their king's victory over the Ammonites.

0:22:07.119 --> 0:22:09.439
<v Speaker 2>Stories were told of the brave new king's battle with

0:22:09.480 --> 0:22:14.010
<v Speaker 2>Nahash and how he saved the village of Jabesh. Samuel

0:22:14.070 --> 0:22:16.850
<v Speaker 2>heard these shouts. He listened to the songs and he

0:22:16.950 --> 0:22:20.109
<v Speaker 2>pondered the stories. He sat in a room of elders,

0:22:20.530 --> 0:22:24.250
<v Speaker 2>tolerating their worshipful doting over the young king. Saul sat

0:22:24.290 --> 0:22:27.129
<v Speaker 2>in the room as well, humbly listening to their admiration.

0:22:27.790 --> 0:22:29.970
<v Speaker 4>Who among us doubted Saul?

0:22:30.250 --> 0:22:31.230
<v Speaker 2>One of the elders asked.

0:22:31.710 --> 0:22:34.650
<v Speaker 4>Let them be put to death for such accusations.

0:22:35.310 --> 0:22:37.350
<v Speaker 2>Saul's eyes widened and he shook his head.

0:22:37.840 --> 0:22:42.580
<v Speaker 6>Please, brothers, let no one be put to death this day. Today,

0:22:42.600 --> 0:22:47.080
<v Speaker 6>the Lord has worked out salvation for his children. Let

0:22:47.140 --> 0:22:50.330
<v Speaker 6>us rejoice in him and have mercy on one another.

0:22:50.900 --> 0:22:53.869
<v Speaker 2>Samuel was surprised to hear these words come from Saul.

0:22:54.609 --> 0:22:58.109
<v Speaker 2>Perhaps there was hope for his soul. Perhaps he was

0:22:58.170 --> 0:23:02.040
<v Speaker 2>the king Israel had needed. Samuel propped himself up in

0:23:02.080 --> 0:23:04.879
<v Speaker 2>front of the elders and settled them down. It is

0:23:04.920 --> 0:23:07.780
<v Speaker 2>time for us to renew our kingdom, he said solemnly.

0:23:08.560 --> 0:23:11.390
<v Speaker 4>We have seen Saul lead, and now it is time

0:23:11.430 --> 0:23:13.689
<v Speaker 4>for us to go to Gilgal to establish him as

0:23:13.790 --> 0:23:14.910
<v Speaker 4>king before the Lord.

0:23:15.410 --> 0:23:17.810
<v Speaker 2>So Samuel led the people of Israel to the high

0:23:17.869 --> 0:23:21.710
<v Speaker 2>place of Gilgal. He made a sacrifice to the Lord,

0:23:22.150 --> 0:23:25.780
<v Speaker 2>and the tribes brought peace offerings to God. As worship

0:23:25.820 --> 0:23:29.180
<v Speaker 2>was made unto the Lord, Saul was anointed king over Israel.

0:23:29.940 --> 0:23:34.119
<v Speaker 2>The people cheered with passion and hope. Samuel overlooked the crowd.

0:23:34.859 --> 0:23:37.080
<v Speaker 2>Their songs echoed in his ears as they sang.

0:23:37.100 --> 0:23:42.560
<v Speaker 6>Long live the king! Long live the king!

0:23:43.220 --> 0:23:46.830
<v Speaker 2>Their shouts saddened him. It was not long ago that

0:23:46.869 --> 0:23:50.330
<v Speaker 2>they gave God such reverence. They had replaced their true

0:23:50.380 --> 0:23:54.230
<v Speaker 2>savior with a counterfeit God. Saul was a short fix

0:23:54.270 --> 0:23:57.610
<v Speaker 2>to the deep problems that lurked within their hearts. Samuel

0:23:57.670 --> 0:24:00.840
<v Speaker 2>knew that even if Saul was brave, Kind and just,

0:24:01.440 --> 0:24:04.640
<v Speaker 2>he would ultimately fail them, as all other kings would.

0:24:06.300 --> 0:24:09.420
<v Speaker 2>Samuel stood over the people, lifted up on a stone platform.

0:24:10.310 --> 0:24:12.690
<v Speaker 2>The people ceased their cheers as he raised his hands.

0:24:13.690 --> 0:24:16.629
<v Speaker 2>His voice resonated among the crowd as he orated his

0:24:16.710 --> 0:24:18.790
<v Speaker 2>final address and goodbye to the people.

0:24:19.109 --> 0:24:23.570
<v Speaker 4>Behold, he shouted, I have obeyed your voice. You have

0:24:23.710 --> 0:24:26.209
<v Speaker 4>asked for a king and here he stands before you.

0:24:27.590 --> 0:24:30.919
<v Speaker 4>I am old now. but I have faithfully walked before

0:24:30.960 --> 0:24:31.680
<v Speaker 4>you since.

0:24:31.520 --> 0:24:35.100
<v Speaker 2>I was young. Samuel's voice began to break slightly, and

0:24:35.140 --> 0:24:39.020
<v Speaker 2>his throat choked up with sorrow. The old prophet paused

0:24:39.060 --> 0:24:42.510
<v Speaker 2>and gripped his staff firmly. A single tear left his

0:24:42.670 --> 0:24:46.609
<v Speaker 2>eye as he scanned the children of Israel. He opened

0:24:46.670 --> 0:24:48.830
<v Speaker 2>up his arms and said, Here I am.

0:24:50.430 --> 0:24:55.050
<v Speaker 4>Testify against me before God. Whose ox or donkey have

0:24:55.109 --> 0:24:58.950
<v Speaker 4>I taken? Whom have I defrauded or cheated out of

0:24:58.990 --> 0:25:02.440
<v Speaker 4>their money? Have I oppressed any of you or taken

0:25:02.460 --> 0:25:05.960
<v Speaker 4>a tax or bribe? Have I done anything worthy of

0:25:06.020 --> 0:25:09.129
<v Speaker 4>you rejecting me and the God I serve?

0:25:09.770 --> 0:25:13.220
<v Speaker 3>The people cried out immediately, saying, You have done nothing

0:25:13.260 --> 0:25:14.600
<v Speaker 3>to oppress us, Samuel.

0:25:15.100 --> 0:25:18.659
<v Speaker 5>You have been fair, just, and honored us.

0:25:19.260 --> 0:25:22.340
<v Speaker 4>So the Lord is witness against you and the king

0:25:22.420 --> 0:25:25.160
<v Speaker 4>that stands before you that I have not oppressed you

0:25:25.300 --> 0:25:29.159
<v Speaker 4>or taken anything from you. I have only given to

0:25:29.250 --> 0:25:31.350
<v Speaker 4>you and loved you like children.

0:25:31.970 --> 0:25:33.689
<v Speaker 2>Yes, they shouted.

0:25:33.950 --> 0:25:35.930
<v Speaker 6>The Lord is a witness.

0:25:36.530 --> 0:25:39.070
<v Speaker 2>Samuel drove his staff into the stone in front of him.

0:25:39.740 --> 0:25:43.620
<v Speaker 2>The sound was intimidating and sent a clear message. Samuel

0:25:43.700 --> 0:25:45.729
<v Speaker 2>pointed at them with his staff and shouted.

0:25:45.910 --> 0:25:49.190
<v Speaker 4>The Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and freed your

0:25:49.250 --> 0:25:52.490
<v Speaker 4>fathers from Egypt is the witness between you and I.

0:25:53.790 --> 0:25:55.950
<v Speaker 4>Now listen to me one final time as I tell

0:25:55.990 --> 0:25:58.180
<v Speaker 4>you of the righteousness of God.

0:25:58.859 --> 0:26:02.179
<v Speaker 2>The people were silent and listened like children being scolded.

0:26:02.480 --> 0:26:05.840
<v Speaker 4>When Jacob went into Egypt with his family, the Egyptians,

0:26:06.160 --> 0:26:10.420
<v Speaker 4>led by their king, oppressed them. They labored as slaves

0:26:10.520 --> 0:26:14.520
<v Speaker 4>and were killed like animals. The blood of children stained

0:26:14.580 --> 0:26:17.980
<v Speaker 4>the Nile, and your forefathers cried out to God for deliverance.

0:26:19.020 --> 0:26:22.140
<v Speaker 4>So he sent Moses and Aaron. Together, they brought your

0:26:22.280 --> 0:26:26.760
<v Speaker 4>ancestors out of Egypt. Now here you stand as free people.

0:26:28.180 --> 0:26:30.790
<v Speaker 4>But your fathers forgot the God who had saved them.

0:26:31.990 --> 0:26:35.870
<v Speaker 4>They became oppressed by the Philistines and the Moabites. Then

0:26:35.960 --> 0:26:39.230
<v Speaker 4>after years of disobedience, they cried out to God again

0:26:39.369 --> 0:26:47.670
<v Speaker 4>for help. The Lord answered. He sent judges. He sent Jeroboam, Barak, Jephthah,

0:26:47.970 --> 0:26:51.570
<v Speaker 4>and myself. Many of us were called by God to

0:26:51.630 --> 0:26:54.630
<v Speaker 4>deliver you out of bondage of other nations and your

0:26:54.810 --> 0:26:58.410
<v Speaker 4>own sin. Even though there were enemies on every side,

0:26:58.490 --> 0:27:01.890
<v Speaker 4>God still fought for you, and you lived in safety.

0:27:02.550 --> 0:27:04.810
<v Speaker 2>The clouds in the sky began to roll in from

0:27:04.850 --> 0:27:08.260
<v Speaker 2>the west as Samuel spoke. The people looked up as

0:27:08.320 --> 0:27:09.740
<v Speaker 2>the sun was hidden from sight.

0:27:10.020 --> 0:27:12.440
<v Speaker 4>Yet you still cried out for a king after all

0:27:12.500 --> 0:27:13.139
<v Speaker 4>these years.

0:27:13.480 --> 0:27:14.540
<v Speaker 2>Samuel continued.

0:27:15.180 --> 0:27:17.720
<v Speaker 4>You saw Nahash and the Ammonites, and you did not

0:27:17.820 --> 0:27:20.520
<v Speaker 4>so much as whisper for the Lord to give you aid.

0:27:21.619 --> 0:27:24.649
<v Speaker 4>You desired a man to save you. Well, here he

0:27:24.730 --> 0:27:28.389
<v Speaker 4>stands before you. The Lord has given you the desires

0:27:28.550 --> 0:27:32.320
<v Speaker 4>of your heart. If you will fear God and serve him,

0:27:32.600 --> 0:27:35.460
<v Speaker 4>if you will obey his voice and refuse to rebel

0:27:35.560 --> 0:27:39.179
<v Speaker 4>as your forefathers, if you and your new king follow

0:27:39.260 --> 0:27:44.800
<v Speaker 4>him and him alone, all will be well. But take heed,

0:27:44.859 --> 0:27:47.600
<v Speaker 4>my children, the pride of the heart is more powerful

0:27:47.640 --> 0:27:52.340
<v Speaker 4>than you know. God will resist the rebellious and arrogant heart.

0:27:53.740 --> 0:27:57.060
<v Speaker 4>If you go against him, He will be against you

0:27:57.520 --> 0:27:58.100
<v Speaker 4>and your king.

0:27:58.580 --> 0:28:01.919
<v Speaker 2>The sky had turned completely dark, and the wind began

0:28:01.960 --> 0:28:06.179
<v Speaker 2>to pick up tremendously behind Samuel. The people began to stir.

0:28:06.760 --> 0:28:10.130
<v Speaker 2>The weather was unsettling. It seemed to match the mood

0:28:10.170 --> 0:28:14.090
<v Speaker 2>of Samuel. His words clearly reflected the heart of God.

0:28:14.450 --> 0:28:14.790
<v Speaker 1>Stand!

0:28:15.890 --> 0:28:18.659
<v Speaker 4>And see this great thing the Lord will do before

0:28:18.700 --> 0:28:19.200
<v Speaker 4>your eyes.

0:28:19.480 --> 0:28:21.500
<v Speaker 2>Samuel said with a trumpeting.

0:28:21.140 --> 0:28:24.440
<v Speaker 4>Voice, Thunder and rain shall go before you, and you

0:28:24.520 --> 0:28:27.520
<v Speaker 4>shall know truly what you have done has grieved the

0:28:27.560 --> 0:28:28.160
<v Speaker 4>heart of God.

0:28:28.600 --> 0:28:32.810
<v Speaker 2>As Samuel said this, lightning struck down behind him. The

0:28:32.869 --> 0:28:36.750
<v Speaker 2>cypress tree behind him erupted in flames. Then, as if

0:28:36.810 --> 0:28:39.990
<v Speaker 2>the floodgates of heaven were open, rain poured out from

0:28:40.030 --> 0:28:43.710
<v Speaker 2>the clouds. Thunder shook the earth, and rain began to

0:28:43.770 --> 0:28:47.910
<v Speaker 2>fall down like arrows onto the people below. The people

0:28:47.950 --> 0:28:50.910
<v Speaker 2>were fearful that the Lord would strike them down. They

0:28:51.050 --> 0:28:55.170
<v Speaker 2>cried out, saying, Pray for us, Samuel. We have added

0:28:55.210 --> 0:28:58.870
<v Speaker 2>to all the sins of our fathers. Samuel shook his

0:28:58.910 --> 0:28:59.750
<v Speaker 2>head and sighed.

0:29:00.330 --> 0:29:01.850
<v Speaker 4>You have nothing to fear.

0:29:02.150 --> 0:29:03.670
<v Speaker 2>He said with the wind at his back.

0:29:04.030 --> 0:29:07.050
<v Speaker 4>Continue in the paths of the Lord with all your heart.

0:29:07.530 --> 0:29:10.730
<v Speaker 4>Do not cling to the empty things that cannot satisfy you,

0:29:11.660 --> 0:29:15.560
<v Speaker 4>They are empty and weak. The Lord will not forsake

0:29:15.620 --> 0:29:19.600
<v Speaker 4>His people. He is great, and it pleases Him to

0:29:19.660 --> 0:29:23.350
<v Speaker 4>make you His people. It gives Him joy to protect you.

0:29:24.750 --> 0:29:27.530
<v Speaker 4>As for me, far be it from me that I

0:29:27.590 --> 0:29:31.070
<v Speaker 4>should sin by ceasing to pray for you. I will

0:29:31.110 --> 0:29:33.990
<v Speaker 4>still be here to instruct and guide you. I will

0:29:34.020 --> 0:29:38.300
<v Speaker 4>give counsel, offer prayers, and make sacrifices on behalf of

0:29:38.340 --> 0:29:39.740
<v Speaker 4>the people and God's armies.

0:29:40.610 --> 0:29:43.330
<v Speaker 2>The wind began to subside for a moment, and the

0:29:43.390 --> 0:29:45.890
<v Speaker 2>rain had drowned out the flames caused by the lightning.

0:29:46.610 --> 0:29:50.930
<v Speaker 2>All that remained were wet coals barely flickering. Samuel's voice

0:29:51.080 --> 0:29:54.160
<v Speaker 2>was soft now and weary. He looked down at them

0:29:54.320 --> 0:29:56.000
<v Speaker 2>and said, Fear.

0:29:55.820 --> 0:29:59.280
<v Speaker 4>The Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart.

0:30:00.650 --> 0:30:04.450
<v Speaker 4>Consider and remember the great things he has done for you.

0:30:06.260 --> 0:30:10.580
<v Speaker 4>Yet the warning remains. If wickedness prevails in your hearts,

0:30:11.940 --> 0:30:14.580
<v Speaker 4>you and your king shall.

0:30:14.420 --> 0:30:20.470
<v Speaker 2>Be swept away. The people left wet and contemplative. It

0:30:20.510 --> 0:30:23.750
<v Speaker 2>was not the coronation Saul had in mind. As the

0:30:23.790 --> 0:30:27.540
<v Speaker 2>people left, Saul remained there silently looking at Samuel from

0:30:27.580 --> 0:30:30.570
<v Speaker 2>a distance. A small part of him was angry at

0:30:30.610 --> 0:30:34.820
<v Speaker 2>the interruption. He did not know whether Samuel supported him

0:30:34.890 --> 0:30:38.479
<v Speaker 2>as king reluctantly or if he was actively praying against him.

0:30:39.520 --> 0:30:43.120
<v Speaker 2>A spark of spite simmered deeply in Saul's heart. He

0:30:43.200 --> 0:30:46.080
<v Speaker 2>ignored it and put on a smile as he approached Samuel.

0:30:46.800 --> 0:30:50.350
<v Speaker 2>The two of them left Gilgal to prepare and establish

0:30:50.570 --> 0:30:51.110
<v Speaker 2>the kingdom.

0:30:53.470 --> 0:30:57.820
<v Speaker 1>Long live the king, for now, always. This episode had

0:30:57.880 --> 0:31:01.460
<v Speaker 1>the action that we were all waiting for. Saul rose

0:31:01.560 --> 0:31:04.220
<v Speaker 1>up as the hero king everyone hoped he would be.

0:31:05.180 --> 0:31:08.440
<v Speaker 1>He was able to inspire an army, rely on the

0:31:08.510 --> 0:31:12.870
<v Speaker 1>Spirit of God, and bravely charge headfirst into danger to

0:31:12.930 --> 0:31:16.870
<v Speaker 1>save the people of Jadish Gilead. At the end of

0:31:16.950 --> 0:31:19.830
<v Speaker 1>it all, he receives honor and praise from the people.

0:31:20.510 --> 0:31:23.890
<v Speaker 1>Saul is this shiny new toy that Israel can't wait

0:31:23.930 --> 0:31:26.930
<v Speaker 1>to keep playing with. For them, He is a more

0:31:27.030 --> 0:31:30.550
<v Speaker 1>tangible thing to worship, just like the golden calf was

0:31:30.590 --> 0:31:35.570
<v Speaker 1>for Israel in the prelude. The prelude highlighted mankind's proclivity

0:31:35.650 --> 0:31:38.790
<v Speaker 1>to erect idols that they can see to replace the

0:31:38.830 --> 0:31:42.770
<v Speaker 1>God they can't see. When things are uncertain and patience

0:31:42.850 --> 0:31:46.110
<v Speaker 1>is required, our doubt can get the best of us.

0:31:46.710 --> 0:31:49.350
<v Speaker 1>Instead of relying on the timing and movement of God,

0:31:49.870 --> 0:31:52.490
<v Speaker 1>we try to control things by making our own decisions.

0:31:53.130 --> 0:31:56.060
<v Speaker 1>The golden calf represents many things, and one of them

0:31:56.480 --> 0:31:59.500
<v Speaker 1>is the harsh reality that we are always looking to

0:31:59.560 --> 0:32:03.000
<v Speaker 1>make gods of things and people that shouldn't be worshipped.

0:32:03.600 --> 0:32:06.720
<v Speaker 1>Saul is the shiny golden calf, ready to receive the

0:32:06.760 --> 0:32:10.830
<v Speaker 1>praise of the people in place of God. After the prelude,

0:32:10.910 --> 0:32:14.930
<v Speaker 1>we are placed in the middle of desolation. Nahash, king

0:32:14.970 --> 0:32:18.310
<v Speaker 1>of Amorites, has made a move on the small city

0:32:18.370 --> 0:32:22.550
<v Speaker 1>of Jabesh-Gilead. Here's one of the several classic villains we

0:32:22.610 --> 0:32:26.810
<v Speaker 1>see in this series. He's hulking with dark armor and

0:32:26.910 --> 0:32:31.150
<v Speaker 1>riding atop a horse with sword and shield. He is

0:32:31.330 --> 0:32:35.350
<v Speaker 1>an embodiment of evil just begging to be vanquished. The

0:32:35.430 --> 0:32:38.510
<v Speaker 1>opening scene with Nahash and the elders is a very

0:32:38.570 --> 0:32:42.120
<v Speaker 1>real glimpse into the vulnerability of Israel during this time.

0:32:42.900 --> 0:32:45.960
<v Speaker 1>They have no unified army to protect their borders or

0:32:46.020 --> 0:32:50.020
<v Speaker 1>respond to crises. The bordering nations know this and are

0:32:50.160 --> 0:32:53.080
<v Speaker 1>eager to pounce on Israel like wolves to scatter prey.

0:32:53.700 --> 0:32:55.980
<v Speaker 1>It's important for us to take a step back and

0:32:56.040 --> 0:32:58.580
<v Speaker 1>have a bit of empathy for Israel. They want a

0:32:58.620 --> 0:33:01.730
<v Speaker 1>king so desperately because on the surface, it seems like

0:33:01.770 --> 0:33:05.390
<v Speaker 1>they need one badly. However, if we do a deeper

0:33:05.450 --> 0:33:09.070
<v Speaker 1>dive into their history, we see that God has always

0:33:09.110 --> 0:33:12.830
<v Speaker 1>been faithful to save them. He used strong people like Samson,

0:33:12.990 --> 0:33:16.770
<v Speaker 1>weak people like Gideon, wise people like Deborah, and foolish

0:33:16.830 --> 0:33:20.550
<v Speaker 1>people like Jephthah. And in every instance, it was God

0:33:20.590 --> 0:33:23.370
<v Speaker 1>who raised people up because the people cried out to him.

0:33:24.110 --> 0:33:26.520
<v Speaker 1>To bring in a king was cutting off a direct

0:33:26.580 --> 0:33:30.180
<v Speaker 1>line of trust between them and God. Israel, given the

0:33:30.240 --> 0:33:32.920
<v Speaker 1>history with God, had no good reason to beg for

0:33:32.940 --> 0:33:36.480
<v Speaker 1>a king. Yet Saul is now king, and it's irreversible.

0:33:37.120 --> 0:33:40.570
<v Speaker 1>Saul is new and still uncertain about his place. But

0:33:40.650 --> 0:33:44.550
<v Speaker 1>Nahash provides a perfect opportunity for him to unite a

0:33:44.650 --> 0:33:48.100
<v Speaker 1>disunified people. This is a common theme in the Bible,

0:33:48.560 --> 0:33:52.180
<v Speaker 1>but also with humanity in general. People tend to unite

0:33:52.340 --> 0:33:55.840
<v Speaker 1>over a common enemy. When you have an obviously evil

0:33:55.920 --> 0:33:59.570
<v Speaker 1>presence in Nahash, it is easy for whoever fights against

0:33:59.610 --> 0:34:02.790
<v Speaker 1>that evil to appear like a white knight. But just

0:34:02.850 --> 0:34:08.190
<v Speaker 1>because someone fights against evil does not automatically make them good. Nevertheless,

0:34:08.650 --> 0:34:11.830
<v Speaker 1>Saul appears to have all the right answers. What we

0:34:11.890 --> 0:34:16.069
<v Speaker 1>witness from Saul in this episode is epic and borderline supernatural.

0:34:16.640 --> 0:34:20.440
<v Speaker 1>He has a rise and unprecedented victory over the Ammonites.

0:34:21.200 --> 0:34:24.660
<v Speaker 1>Saul amasses his army, leads them into battle, and meets

0:34:24.700 --> 0:34:28.040
<v Speaker 1>the evil king face to face. The fight scene between

0:34:28.120 --> 0:34:31.900
<v Speaker 1>Saul and Nahash makes one thing very clear. Saul is

0:34:31.980 --> 0:34:35.280
<v Speaker 1>not an underdog. He was Nahash's superior from the beginning,

0:34:35.360 --> 0:34:38.540
<v Speaker 1>quickly gaining the upper hand. Israel wanted a king to

0:34:38.560 --> 0:34:41.680
<v Speaker 1>slay other kings, and it seemed like they found their man.

0:34:42.500 --> 0:34:46.030
<v Speaker 1>Saul's nobility and character is an important element of this episode.

0:34:46.710 --> 0:34:50.170
<v Speaker 1>He is righteous, makes the right decisions, and risks his

0:34:50.290 --> 0:34:53.940
<v Speaker 1>life to save a small city from being enslaved. As

0:34:53.980 --> 0:34:56.799
<v Speaker 1>of right now, Saul seems to be keeping his pride

0:34:56.840 --> 0:35:00.529
<v Speaker 1>in check and relying on the strength of God. He

0:35:00.610 --> 0:35:05.009
<v Speaker 1>is keeping the coals in the fire, exemplified in the

0:35:05.130 --> 0:35:08.629
<v Speaker 1>scene at the camp before marching off to battle. So

0:35:08.690 --> 0:35:12.170
<v Speaker 1>what could possibly go wrong? Saul seems to have everything

0:35:12.250 --> 0:35:14.969
<v Speaker 1>it takes to be a great king. So what could

0:35:15.050 --> 0:35:18.259
<v Speaker 1>cause him to fall? We have Samuel to answer that

0:35:18.340 --> 0:35:21.500
<v Speaker 1>question for us. At the end of the episode, We

0:35:21.660 --> 0:35:25.509
<v Speaker 1>are at Gilgal for Saul's coronation. The people are praising

0:35:25.550 --> 0:35:29.430
<v Speaker 1>him endlessly and worshiping at his feet. Samuel knows that

0:35:29.469 --> 0:35:33.150
<v Speaker 1>this is the exact thing that will undo Saul. Nobody

0:35:33.210 --> 0:35:36.719
<v Speaker 1>but God can bear the weight of people's worship. Saul,

0:35:37.030 --> 0:35:40.160
<v Speaker 1>out of no fault of his own, has been enslaved

0:35:40.239 --> 0:35:44.060
<v Speaker 1>like a golden calf. He is the people's replacement for God.

0:35:44.800 --> 0:35:47.120
<v Speaker 1>That is a great burden to carry, a burden that

0:35:47.160 --> 0:35:51.010
<v Speaker 1>will eventually crush him. Samuel, at the end of the episode,

0:35:51.070 --> 0:35:54.210
<v Speaker 1>reminded the people that they didn't need a king, rather

0:35:54.250 --> 0:35:57.569
<v Speaker 1>they wanted a king. Their desire to replace God is

0:35:57.610 --> 0:36:01.500
<v Speaker 1>going to be the downfall of Israel and Saul. Samuel

0:36:01.540 --> 0:36:04.640
<v Speaker 1>also reminded them that this is the same sin committed

0:36:04.700 --> 0:36:08.860
<v Speaker 1>by their forefathers in the desert. Their ancestors forsook God

0:36:09.140 --> 0:36:13.380
<v Speaker 1>and suffered the consequences. Samuel warned them that the pride

0:36:13.520 --> 0:36:16.460
<v Speaker 1>of the heart is more powerful than you know. God

0:36:16.500 --> 0:36:20.620
<v Speaker 1>will resist the rebellious and arrogant heart. The fascinating part

0:36:20.719 --> 0:36:23.219
<v Speaker 1>of this is that the pride of the people is

0:36:23.260 --> 0:36:27.180
<v Speaker 1>going to be ultimately projected onto Saul. He will embody

0:36:27.450 --> 0:36:30.330
<v Speaker 1>their pride. This is a theme for all of us

0:36:30.410 --> 0:36:33.549
<v Speaker 1>to notice. The people we raise up to rule us

0:36:33.930 --> 0:36:38.290
<v Speaker 1>become mirrors reflecting back our own imperfections. The heart of

0:36:38.370 --> 0:36:41.570
<v Speaker 1>a culture is reflected in the leaders they choose. Saul's

0:36:41.630 --> 0:36:45.759
<v Speaker 1>eventual sin will be a mirror image of Israel's. Samuel

0:36:45.780 --> 0:36:49.739
<v Speaker 1>knew this and mourned their fall. He is definitely volatile

0:36:49.940 --> 0:36:54.920
<v Speaker 1>in this episode, teetering between righteous anger and fatherly concern,

0:36:55.469 --> 0:36:58.370
<v Speaker 1>but he ultimately reminded them that God would be faithful

0:36:58.410 --> 0:37:02.370
<v Speaker 1>despite their unfaithfulness. Let's pause for a moment and appreciate

0:37:02.410 --> 0:37:05.890
<v Speaker 1>how powerful Samuel is at this age. He has a

0:37:05.989 --> 0:37:09.860
<v Speaker 1>fire in his bones and still preaches with ferocious strength.

0:37:10.580 --> 0:37:14.040
<v Speaker 1>It's a rather jarring scene toward the end. The people

0:37:14.100 --> 0:37:17.980
<v Speaker 1>come expecting a huge celebration, but leave wet and afraid.

0:37:18.620 --> 0:37:22.260
<v Speaker 1>The wind raged, Samuel yelled, and lightning struck a tree,

0:37:22.600 --> 0:37:26.549
<v Speaker 1>making it burst into flames. It is an apocalyptic scene

0:37:26.620 --> 0:37:29.610
<v Speaker 1>meant to hearken us back to the prelude, where the

0:37:29.690 --> 0:37:33.810
<v Speaker 1>winds shift and lightning cracks open the skies. The heart

0:37:33.870 --> 0:37:37.150
<v Speaker 1>of mankind hasn't changed, and neither has the grief of

0:37:37.210 --> 0:37:40.840
<v Speaker 1>God when mankind sins against him. But the mercy of

0:37:40.900 --> 0:37:44.259
<v Speaker 1>God is also enduring, and that is something all of

0:37:44.380 --> 0:37:47.759
<v Speaker 1>us can take comfort in. The episode ends with the

0:37:47.800 --> 0:37:51.950
<v Speaker 1>winds dying down, the rain leaving, and a steaming pile

0:37:52.010 --> 0:37:56.390
<v Speaker 1>of wet coals losing their heat beside the altar. Saul

0:37:56.430 --> 0:37:59.830
<v Speaker 1>has maintained his innocence thus far, but this scene has

0:37:59.890 --> 0:38:02.660
<v Speaker 1>left a mark on him. There is no question that

0:38:02.700 --> 0:38:06.060
<v Speaker 1>the people are for Saul. The question that remains is

0:38:06.160 --> 0:38:09.259
<v Speaker 1>if God is for Saul or not. Put yourself in

0:38:09.320 --> 0:38:13.020
<v Speaker 1>Saul's shoes for a moment. You just rallied a historical

0:38:13.140 --> 0:38:19.319
<v Speaker 1>disunified army against a formidable foe and single-handedly slayed their king. Now,

0:38:19.340 --> 0:38:21.120
<v Speaker 1>as you are about to be crowned a king with

0:38:21.160 --> 0:38:25.350
<v Speaker 1>pomp and circumstance, God interrupts and literally rains on your parade.

0:38:25.969 --> 0:38:28.169
<v Speaker 1>Who wouldn't be at least a little perturbed by this?

0:38:28.830 --> 0:38:31.549
<v Speaker 1>There is a vicious cycle to pride that Saul must

0:38:31.590 --> 0:38:34.610
<v Speaker 1>be careful of. The cycle is this. We have a

0:38:34.670 --> 0:38:38.750
<v Speaker 1>prideful heart. God resists us because of our pride. We

0:38:38.790 --> 0:38:42.300
<v Speaker 1>grow bitter because God is against us. We continue down

0:38:42.320 --> 0:38:46.020
<v Speaker 1>the wrong path to spite God. God resists us more.

0:38:47.000 --> 0:38:49.000
<v Speaker 1>The way to get out of this cycle is by

0:38:49.080 --> 0:38:52.319
<v Speaker 1>submitting to God and humbling ourselves when he resists us.

0:38:53.680 --> 0:38:56.700
<v Speaker 1>When we are corrected, we need to pay attention and

0:38:56.760 --> 0:39:00.259
<v Speaker 1>take correction with humility. That is a sign of a

0:39:00.320 --> 0:39:03.520
<v Speaker 1>pure heart. Later on in this series, David is going

0:39:03.560 --> 0:39:07.540
<v Speaker 1>to be caught after committing some egregious crimes. After getting

0:39:07.640 --> 0:39:10.279
<v Speaker 1>caught in his own cycle of pride, he will go

0:39:10.430 --> 0:39:14.250
<v Speaker 1>on to write, The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.

0:39:14.810 --> 0:39:18.050
<v Speaker 1>You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

0:39:18.610 --> 0:39:22.009
<v Speaker 1>But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The story is

0:39:22.090 --> 0:39:26.110
<v Speaker 1>about to get more complex, gory, and fast-paced. We're going

0:39:26.130 --> 0:39:28.569
<v Speaker 1>to watch Saul carefully to see if he can keep

0:39:28.690 --> 0:39:31.839
<v Speaker 1>the coal in the fire. We're also going to meet

0:39:31.940 --> 0:39:35.390
<v Speaker 1>a new character, Jonathan. His heart will provide us with

0:39:35.450 --> 0:39:39.029
<v Speaker 1>a contrast to judge Saul's heart. If you're not sure

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<v Speaker 1>if Saul was on the right path or not, you

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<v Speaker 1>will absolutely be certain by the end of this next episode.

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<v Speaker 1>Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers,

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<v Speaker 1>and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to Pray.com. Remember

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<v Speaker 1>to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify to get

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<v Speaker 1>the newest episodes right as they come out. God bless.