The Back to the Bible Reading Plans
The Reign of Saul
Today's reading
1Samuel 13-14; Luke 10.1-24
King James Version with Web Encyclopedia Links: 1Samuel 13; 1Samuel 14
SAUL'S FAMILY 1Samuel 13.1,14, 49-51
THE HOUSE OF SAUL 1Chronicles 9.35-44
SAMUEL REBUKE SAUL 1Sam 13.2-15
Saul had three thousand men while the Philistine had three thousand charioteers and six thousand soldiers. This meant Saul was outnumbered by a ratio of three to one. It was understanable that the morale of Saul's men plumetted when they realized that they were outnumbered. Some hid in cabes and thickets while some deserted the army and went to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was told to waited for 7 days. After 7 days, still no Samuel. Saul decided to d a burnt offering! He took the situation in his own hands. Instead of depending on Samuel, God's man, he decided to depend on himself. When Samuel arrived and saw Saul and asked what he was doing, Saul said when he saw the men scattering and that he did not come and the Philistines were assemb.ling at Micmash, he thought that he ought to sought the Lord's favor by offer the burnt offering. Saul rebuked himn and told him because of his action he would not establish his kindom forever but will give it to another person (which we know that David would have the kingdom) because the Lord has sought a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of the people. What would you have done if you were Saul? Do we have the patience to wait on the Lord to get things done even when things look rather desperate.
LARGE PICTURE - SAMUEL TURNS FROM SAUL
When Samuel had visited Saul Saul only had six hundred men left. The Philistines had a strategy by which they ensure that there was no blacksmiths left in Israel. Israel even had to go to the Philsitines to have their plowshares, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened! The strategy had work so that only Saul and Jonathan were the only ones who had a sword or spear in his hand.
In 1 Samuel 14.1-13. Jonathan took the initiative to attack the Philistines without his father, Saul, knowing. Jonathan went out in faith and attacked the Philistines. Jonathan saod "Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few." His armor-bearer supported Jonathan wholeheartedly and both went in faith and did a surprise attack on the Philistines.
In 1 Samuel 14.14-23, God honored the first attack by Jonathan and his armor-bearer. A panic struck the whole Philistine army. This panic was created by God. The Philistines were killing each other! The Lord rescued Israel that day!
In 1 Samuel 14.24-45, Saul bound the Israelites under an oath, 'Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes before I have avenged myself on my enemies!' None of the Israelies ate anything that day. The troops had entered the woods and there was honey oozing out. No one dared to eat any. Jonathan did not hear his father made the oath and ate some honey. Someone told him about the oath and Jonathan said that cause trouble for Israel, and if they had eaten they would have felt better and have defeated the Philistines even more. Later in verse 39 when Saul had asked God if they should attack the Philsitines. God did not answer him. This indicated that there was a sin in the camp. The rash oath that Saul gave was broken by Jonathan. Saul realized that he had to kill Jonathan but the troops intervened on Jonathan's behalf and his life was spared. When we are under stress, do not make rash promises or oaths to God, it can create bad consequences as we see in 1 Samuel 14. We should follow Jesus' advice on making oaths (Matthew 5.33-37). Jesus said that we are not to swear at all!
1 Samuel 13, with Commentaries, verse by verse
1 Samuel 14, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Links to Commentaries and other References - 1Samuel
King James Version with Web Encyclopedia Links: Luke 10
Luke 10 with Commentaries, verse by verse
In Luke 10.1-12, Jesus sent out another seventy two (Luke 10.4.12; Luke 9.3-5) in groups of two ahead of him to every town and place where he was to go. He spoke about the harvest being plentiful but the laborers are few. The same principle of nott taking a purse or bag or sandal applies, staying at people’s homes to those who are hospitable and to those who are in hospitable, wipe the dust off their feet. Those who reject the message will be punished. The principles that Jesus gave are principles we should use when considering discipleship and evangelism. Are doing evangelism and discipleship in our lives for the advancement of His Kingdom.
Jesus continued his instructions to the seventy two that he sent out. Those who reject the message who regret their decision. He then said to them in verse 16, "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me." (NKJV). The seventy-two came back with good news of their mission, that even the demons submit to them in Jesus’ name’ Jesus reminded them that they should rejoice that their name are written in heaven, than the demons submitting ti them, He praised God that He had revealed it to the seventy-two, the little children as He called them not to the wise and learned of the world (1Corinthians 1.25). The he said to them "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; in verse 24 "for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it." (NKJV).
IVP Commentary on Luke 10
Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke
Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian
This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.
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