Old Testament - 1 Samuel 10 & 13 - June 14, 2022

 6/14/2022 – 1 Samuel 10 & 13

1 Samuel 10

Once again, I love the chapter synopsis: “Samuel anoints Saul to be captain over the Lord’s inheritance—Samuel manifests gift of seership—Saul prophesies among the prophets, and the Lord gives him a new heart….”

V1: “Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his [Saul’s]head….the Lord hath anointed thee…”  This is what is found in  Keil and Delitzsch Commentary, 2:2:95: “Anointing with oil was a symbol of endowment with the Spirit of God; as the oil itself, by virtue of the strength which it gives to the vital spirits, was a symbol of the Spirit of God as the principle of divine and spiritual power [see Leviticus 8:12].” I loved reading that as I did not know the significance of oil when used when giving a blessing. That touches my heart.  

V’s 2-5 explains that after Samuel anointed Saul, he prophesied of the experiences Saul would have as he traveled. He than promises Saul the “the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt be turned into another man.” (v 6) This is another way of saying that the Lord CAN give us a new heart, for that is a gift of the Spirit that the Lord can bestow upon any of us if it is truly needed or truly desired. Samuel explains this is a sign that “God is with thee” (v 7) “And it was so , that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.” (v 9)

Saul was very human. After all the things that Samuel told him would happen, DID happen, he was a bit frightened by his new calling: “…and when they sought him, he could not be found….he hath hid himself among stuff.” ( v’s22)

Saul was found and Samuel introduced him to the Israelites as the one who would be the king that they sought. (v 24) When Saul left to return to his home “there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.” (v 26) But at the same time there were Israelites who had left the Lord to follow Balial. Their reaction was far different as they said to each other “ How shall this man save us? And they despised him…” (v 27) It seems that for the unrighteous, even when their desires are answered, they do not find the happiness and comfort they had hoped for.  

In chapter 12 Samuel talks to all the Israelites telling them the importance of keeping the commandments, “lest the Lord consume them and their [new] king”. “Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.” (v 24)

1 Samuel 13

At this point in time, Saul has reigned as king for 2 years. He gathers 3000 men for an army to fight the Philistines who had an army of “thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude.” (v 5)

Samuel sends a message to Saul that he will come to him in seven days (v 8) to offer burnt offerings to the Lord. When Samuel did not show up, Saul felt that he and his troops needed the Lord’s help ‘NOW’, so Saul, went ahead and made the burnt offering to the Lord. (v 9) Saul does the right thing with the wrong authority—His impatience is his downfall. He explained the reasons he had for doing something that he was not authorized to do: “The Philistines will come down upon me to Gigal and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.” (v 12) The Lord’s timetables do not always go with the timetables we have hoped to have—but the Lord always works in ways that will give us the opportunity for greater growth.

In Saul’s two years of reign, he developed an exaggerated opinion of his power and importance. Joseph Smith spoke of this sad situation: “We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion” (D&C 121:39).

This is the same thing that Samuel explained to Saul: “Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue; the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.” (v’s 13-14). 

These principles are the same today as they were so long ago. Even though we may try to justify our lack of obedience to the Lord’s commandments, or justify our ‘adjustments’ to His commandments, He will hold us accountable.  The Lord has given us instructions for a clear path back to Him. All WE have to do is to stay on that path.