BIG IDEA:
KING SAUL WINS OVER HIS CRITICS BY PROVING HIS MILITARY LEADERSHIP WITH A SPIRIT-INSPIRED RESCUE OPERATION
INTRODUCTION:
How does a leader gain the respect of his people and prove his mettle? It has to be by performance under pressure – not by appointment or decree. There will always be an element of opposition – a band of critics who are waiting to pounce on perceived weakness and mistakes. Crushing victories are an opportunity to silence those critics – at least for a season – and galvanize the support of the people. How a leader responds to the thrill of victory and the enthusiastic support of his followers tells a lot about his character.
I. (:1-3) REQUESTING RESCUE: GOD’S PEOPLE DESPERATE FOR DELIVERANCE
A. The Siege
The Ammonites under Nahash “besieged Jabesh-gilead”
B. The Negotiations for Surrender and Servitude
God’s people had already given up. The only question was defining the terms of surrender and servitude.
“Make a covenant with us and we will serve you”
Why not humble themselves before God and repent of their sins and seek His deliverance? Why cave so quickly?
Blaikie: “Yet how often do men virtually give themselves over to serve a vile master, to lead evil or at least careless lives, to indulge in sinful habits which they know they should overcome, but which they are too indolent and self-indulged to resist! Men and women, with strong proclivities to sin, may for a time resist, but they get tired of the battle; they long for an easier life … They surrender to the enemy, they are willing to serve sin, because they will not surrender the ease and the pleasures of sin.”
C. The Barbaric Stipulation
“I will make it with you on this condition, that I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you, thus I will make it a reproach on Israel.”
D. The Last Ditch Plea for Deliverance
“Let us alone for seven days, that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to deliver us, we will come out to you.”
Why would the enemy agree to such a waiting period?
Davis: “The Ammonites were evidently sure of victory as evidenced by the nature of their proposal… This concession illustrated the contemptuous regard which he had for the fighting strength of Israel.”
Guzik: “Why did Nahash let the messengers go? It seems strange that he allowed them to leave, and to see if Israel could muster up the troops to come and defeat him. But Nahash had two reasons. First, he was confident of Israel’s disunity, and figured they would be unable to find anyone to save them. Second, by allowing the messengers to go through all Israel, he was making his name big and his reputation fearsome throughout the whole nation.”
II. (:4-10) RALLYING THE TROOPS – LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
A. (:4) Initial Response of Despair and Helplessness on the Part of the People
“and all the people lifted up their voices and wept”
B. (:5-7) The Spirit-Inspired Response of Anger and Action on the Part of Saul
1. (:5a) The Patience of Saul
“Now behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen”
Blaikie: “We are hardly prepared to find Saul following the herd in the field after his election as king of Israel. We are compelled to conclude that the opposition to him was far from contemptible in number and in influence, and that he found it expedient in the meantime to make no demonstration of royalty, but continue his old way of life.”
2. (:5b) The Concern of Saul
“What is the matter with the people that they weep?”
3. (:6) Spirit-Inspired Anger
“Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words, and he became angry.”
4. (:7) Spirit-Inspired Action – Rallying the Troops / Instilling the Fear of God
Result: “they came out as one man”
That is always the goal of any leader – to get your troops to perform as one man
C. (:8-10) Staging the Troops and Promising Rescue
1. (:8) Numbering the Troops and Staging them for Battle
2. (:9) Encouraging the City to Hang in there one more day
3. (:10) Buying Time by Deceiving the Enemy
III. (:11) ROUTING THE ENEMY – GOD ALWAYS WINS BIG
Note: Only 1 verse devoted to this important subject – shows that the Spirit-inspired preparation was the key; with God fighting the battle, the conflict was never in doubt. It was over in a hurry and the victory was total domination – no cliff-hangers when God is on your side.
Complete Rout! “And it came about that those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.”
IV. (:12-13) RESPONDING TO THE CRITICS – DEFLECTING PRAISE TO THE REAL SAVIOR
Issue: Who is going to take the credit and get to execute vengeance on the opposition?
A. (:12) Opportunity for Revenge
B. (:13) Recognition that the Day Belongs to the Lord
V. (:14-15) RENEWING THE KINGDOM COMMITMENT – CEREMONIES AT GILGAL
A. (:14) Final Public Leadership of Samuel – Cementing the Transition
“Then Samuel said to the people, ‘Come and let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.’”
B. (:15a) Confirmation of Saul as Leader of the New Kingdom
“there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal”
C. (15b) Renewal of Worship and Commitment to the Lord
“There they also offered sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord”
D. (:15c) Unity of Joy
“and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly”