Covenant 1/31/21

Well this morning we're continuing our series entitled forerunners of the faith. It's babe. We're going to look at the the conclusion of the life of the the first king in the history of Israel. A man named Saul. I think we become particularly aware of the fridge ility. And sometimes the fraudulence of our leaders where they not only can fail to lead effectively because of their own shortcomings, but they can even failed to lead by making promises that they know or false to manipulate the people who they lead and the story of the life of King Saul is no different the first king that was called to serve the nation of Israel was a man with great shortcomings as well. See today. And yes, we suck study stalls story a tragic story. I think there's a great deal that we can learn from his story that can encourage us to be more faithful and the challenges that we face in our own lives. You got your Bibles. Please take it out and turn with me to First Samuel chapter 11. The story of saw that we saw last week began in the baggage claim. I don't know if you guys ever lost your baggage on a flight raise your hand just so I can get us a Pollo. This is horrible news people. Everyone in the whole place is got their hands raised that they've lost bother you lost your baggage ever before you escape that challenge. I didn't take baggage. There you go everyone in the whole building raised their hand and they've lost baggage at some point on a flight in the story of Saul began is you remember in the baggage claim? I remember you was losing my bags in Sacramento and having to make my way to the baggage claim area and then walking in and beginning to sort through all the lost baggage to try to find your bag and it's not there or is there in your ear hopes either go out for their their crotch there in that moment because you guys remember from last week saw was found there in the baggage the Lord had brought all of Israel together Samuel had and relented and he was willing to give them a king in and buy a lots. He demonstrated that though. It was not his desire for them to have a king but to follow him he would relent and allow for their sins to take its course. And so I buy Sovereign lot by the casting of lots Samuel the prophet went through all of Israel down to the Tribe of Benjamin. Down to the house of Kish down to the sun stall and they went looking for saw that day to anoint him as king and yet he was nowhere to be found until a word from the Lord directed them to the baggage in and there was Saul hiding in the baggage all the got it made it very clear that he had called us all to serve as king and giving him those great signs that we saw last week undeniable signs to prepare him for this day. So I was still afraid he hid and an end as we saw last week this demonstrated a lack of trust in the called God had placed on Saul's life. It's a lack of trust that would characterize the rest of his Service as Israel's King welts always picked that day by God's Sovereign hands to lead Israel for the next season of their life from the judges now to the Kings. And the first task that's all faced was a gruesome one. Sometimes we don't realize how gruesome men can be in their desire to get to take over to take power to take lands to take possession to take others under their boots and yet as we turn back to the. Of Judges some of those images are are Stark before us in first Samuel chapter 11 Falls first challenge arises. It comes as the first challenge to his kingship over Israel. The ammonites went up against jabesh-gilead in a very brutal way. Nahash was their leader and they came to the men of Jay bash and made a great threat to them. We find it in verse 1 of chapter 11. Then they hatch the ammonite went up in besiege jabesh-gilead and all the men of JibJab. Ash said to nahash make a treaty with us and we will serve you. But nahash the ammonite said to them on this condition. I will make a treaty with you that I doubt out all your right eyes, and that's bring disgrace on all Israel. And that's a pretty great campaign promise. Don't you think for your perspective leader as you come into a new city? And and he says I want to take over and then people say we will let you take over and make a treaty with us and no problem. Here's my one campaign promise. I'm going to gouge out all of your eyes. But I can bring disgrace on the Lord and on his people first three the Elders of Jay Bosch said to him give us seven days respite that. We Mason messenger through all the territory of Israel then if there is no one to save us we will give ourselves up to you. But a tragic moment here, it's kind of remarkable that nahash would allow the men of Jay bash to send out a word called for help from all of Israel. It goes to show you what they have thought about the nation of Israel. I'm assuming either thought that surely they will not come or they're sad Warriors will come and I'll destroy them and gave either greater glory to myself but instead of taking advantage there in the moment. He gives them the seven days and if they cannot have helped and they will give themselves over to nahash and have their eyes ripped from their sockets and leave in disgrace for the rest of their lives. What's all learned of this word as it came to him as he was coming in from the field we read in verse 6. And in the spirit of God rest upon salt when he heard these words and his anger was greatly Kindle. He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of The Messengers saying whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel. So shall it be done to his oxen? Did The Dread of the Lord fell upon the people and they came out as one man? How many do you guys went to the draft process in the Vietnam War raise your hand if any of you guys had the draft request come in and that you got news of the possibility of going but supposed to send out a draft notice to the the able-bodied men of Israel saw the sides to cut off his socks and send the bloody stinking Parts out ones. If each of the 12 tribes, maybe even more to tell them you need to come now. And if you do not come I the new king of Israel will be bringing great vengeance upon you and your family is there was a great motivator there in the Israelites came out in Penny Mustard them in there and they overtook the ammonites in and saw had victory over States. He mustered them at bezek. And the people in his real work 300,000 in the men of Judah 30,000. I'm sorry, that's another story there, but he must have been together and they conquered that the ammonites at that point not got his victory established him at least as a leader in Israel and Aiden from that point forward. He began to battle with the Philistines. Did the Philistines were kind of the overlords of Israel at this time much like the Romans were the overlords of Israel in the time of Jesus and the Philistines had set up Garrison's or a Barracks companies of soldiers in different important places around the nation of Israel. Remember in Jesus's day that the Romans had Garrison stationed there in Jerusalem, not simply to keep the peace but to establish Rome and dominance with the Philistines did as well after his defeat of the ammonites here. He began to strike out against these different garrisons to push back against the Philistines and his son Jonathan. You probably heard Jonathan's name before in your bib. Costa Rica strike, one of the gerasenes of the Philistines and he decimated it and so great was the defeat that the Philistines rose up to attack Israel it and a new chapter begins and installs experience as king and that's what we find here in verse 8. I read it a little bit too early before here's what we learned that the Philistines came up now not the ammonites with the Philistines up against Israel for the attacks on the garrisons that the fits so mustard the Israelites together. This would be their greatest battle today. And the people of Israel were 300,000 and the middle of Judah 30,000. So so hot about 330,000 Israelites at his command. That's a great number a great group of people a great Italian for service. And they said to The Messengers who would come bless you sell say to jabesh-gilead tomorrow by this time when the Sun is hot you shall see your salvation. That's actually the truth that went up against the ammonites. I'm sorry about that suit skip down a little bit further with me.

Actually, I think I've got this out of order here. So I messed that one up for you guys. So that the story of the Philistines on pause when the Philistines come up against the Israelites were going to come back to that in a minute. Let's go back in the story at the beginning of the story. Nahash of the ammonites come up against the Israelites in and install is able to defeat nahash the ammonite he begins to fight against the Philistines. I told you guys about the Philistines begin to get upset and we're going to see a conflict here in a moment. But before that conflict came Samuel brought all of the Israelites together, this is after Saul's defeat of nahash and the ammonites and and and end in Samuel spoke to the Israelites there on that day and he a charge them with some very important words. He gathered them together to re-establish tall is the king and their eyes, but then it's a charge them with with with with with with a crime soda. We find it in 1st Samuel chapter 12. Here's what Samuel says to the Gathering of Israel. He says behold. I have obeyed your voice and all that. You have said to me and if made a king over you. And now behold the king walks before you and I am old and gray and behold my sons are with you. I've walked before you from my youth until this day here. I am testify against me before the Lord and before he's annoyed whose ox have I taken or whose donkey have I taken or who's home? Who am I defrosted? Who have I oppressed or from whose hand if I taken a bribe to Blind my eyes with it testify against me and I will restore it to you. They said you have not defrosted us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man's hand and he said to them the Lord is witness against you and is Anointed as witness this day that you have found nothing in my hand, and they said he is Witness. This is Samuel's departing words to Israel as he steps aside and his soul is established as their King. That was interesting here is we met Samuel as a young boy in in service to the Lord as his mother gave him over to the Lord and serve Faithfully all these years and and now he's passing leadership from himself now to King install any makes it very clear here as the Israelites gathered that in no way has he defrosted them. He is not been a faithless leader, but in every way and all of his days, he's been faithful as he can't if there's any way that I've defaulted you're taking advantage of you make it known before everyone in before the Lord's anointed. It's all the standing there and no one says anything but they give witness that he's been a true and faithful leader. And yet before he passes the Baton of leadership over to stall he charges them with a high crime and misdemeanor as it were in verse 6, we read Samuel said to the people of the Lord is witness who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your father's up out of the land of Egypt. Now therefore standstill that I may plead with you before the word concerning all the righteous Deeds of the Lord that he performed for you and for your father's and so Saul Samuel begins to recount the faithfulness of the Lord that is real ever since the time of Jacob to their deliverance from Egypt until this very day, and he continues in first 12 of chapter 12, and when you saw that they hatch the king of the ammonites who we just spoke of came against you you said to me no, but a king shall reign over us. When the Lord your God was your king and now behold the king whom you have chosen for whom you have asked behold. The Lord has sent a king over you if you will fear the lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebelled against the Commandment of the Lord and if both you and the king who Reigns over you will follow the lord your God it will be well, but if you will not obey the voice of the Lord but rebelled against the Commandment of the Lord than the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king. Samuel makes it very clear to them that their Cry For A King was truly a cry against the Lord who had led them. This is not a good development in the history of God's people hang it graciously hiral into their cry for a king and he provides them with a king. Better underscore to them that that's kingship was not a wise plan or instituted by God was allowed by him. But he's not the one who brought forward that plan Samuel shows an undeniable sign from the heavens at least important to recognize what happens here at the very beginning of the kingship next week. Pastor. Bob will talk about King David will learn about one of them. Probably the greatest Kings of Israel and you might think we'll hey this kingship thing is working out well, but but it from the very beginning with had an auspicious out play outcome in the life of Israel. Here's what Samuel says to them to demonstrate to them that didn't asking for a king. They had rebelled against the Lord verse 16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes. He is it not wheat Harvest today. That doesn't mean anything to you guys. I need to go to the property to harvesting your week last year. No, okay, but that was a time like a summer season when when things were very dry and Israel, and there was not rain at all during that season. And so it was amenable to the wheat Harvest it did not read Harvest today. I will call upon the Lord that he may send thunder and rain and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord in asking for yourselves a king. It's okay. Here's the biblical pronouncement on the kingship. It was a wicked request that the Lord relented and provided for Samuel called upon the Lord Verse 18 and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day and all the people greatly feared the Lord in Samuel and all the people said to Samuel pray for your servants to the Lord your God that we may not die. Premium added to all our sins this evil to ask for ourselves a king. As we talked about last week, we too have experienced a what it looks like to be ruled by rulers who do not necessarily have our best interests in mind and the Lord weren't born is real that that's exactly what would happen. If they if they requested a king that ultimately wants the King was established that Kingwood would take advantage of them that he would not care for them as they had hoped her a fully protect them, but he would take things for his own benefit and yet he relents and gives them a king and and provides this clear-cut word of condemnation to this decision. But here's what Samuel says to them about their state before the Lord. They've send Scott has demonstrated his his his his condemnation for this decision, but allowed it to take place. And here's what Samuel says to them and it's words of encouragement. Do not be afraid. You have done all this evil. Get do not turn aside from following the Lord but serve the Lord with all your heart and do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver for they are empty. Isn't it interesting how the message of the Gospel is true? Whether we're looking in the pages of the Old Testament or the new the warning to the Israelites that their repentance the Lord will receive them reconcile them to himself and yet they must recommit themselves to serve him with all of their heart. They must commit themselves not to turn aside to empty things that cannot profit or deliver for their empty. You see people today turning aside to empty things. It seems like our culture is becoming more and more fixated on things which are empty looking at the short-term looking at what we can hold in our hands and not looking at eternity or things that matter Beyond this life. I think the church alone. It's a final voice The only voice in our culture. It's in his calling people to look Beyond the Horizon that this life is not all there is not to commit themselves to the empty things and the empty ways of this life. So it's the very charged that it did Samuel gave that his people as he was stepping out of his role as a leader first 22 the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake. Because he is pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. His faithful to is remiss to Israel is based upon his faithfulness to his own promise. He is called them his own people and you will not reject them. Aren't you grateful that that's how God treats us when we sin and fall and then step away that the Lord is gracious to us. Because there's some goodness or something that's desirable in us but simply because the Lord has showed his compassion and his love 223 moreover. Ask for me far be it for me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. I will instruct you in the good and right way only fear the lord and serve him Faithfully with all your heart for consider what great things he has done for you, but if you still do wickedly you shall be swept away both you and your king. And now it is I'd skip before it ahead earlier on now that the Philistines begin to gather. It's all begins to have victories against them in and the gerasenes especially Jonathan and the Philistines draw up around Israel. And then we read in in Chapter 13 Verse 5 at the Philistines mustard to fight with Israel 30,000 chariots 600000 Horsemen and troops that's double the size of the army that that King Saul was able to bring up against the ammonites troops like the sand on the seashore Inn multitude. That was Philistines were a tried fighting for state established themselves with great dominance in this area. And they held Israel in Other Nations under their boots for their own benefit. Israel had just acquired a king who had led them in victory over the ammonites against nahash but had not proven themselves much beyond that and is the Philistines gather around Israel. Their numbers are like the Sands of the sea and said the people were afraid for 6 chapter 13, they came when the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble. For the people were hard-pressed people hit themselves in caves and in holes in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns and some Hebrews cross the Fords of the Jordan to the land of GAD in Gilead and means they just ran out of the country completely. So it was still at gilgal and all the people followed him trembling. He was very afraid in the face of the Philistine Army. This is might be the greatest force that they've ever faced the Egyptians the Lord Concord for them. They never raised his sword Jericho is a city fellow of its own. The other tribes went out in the different lands in which they LED and fought against smaller little cities and and counties and areas, but here it seems was one of Israel's first great battles against us a trained Fighting Force if it was a prepared to fight. It seems they were not told that the prophet Samuel sent word to solve that. I'll arrive in about a week and we'll sacrifice to the Lord and prepare for battle and the Lord will lead you into this battle. We're not told anything beyond that. And then we hear some some some some disappointing words regarding Saul's initial battle in his leadership here in first date is 7 Days the time appointed by Samuel that he would come for the sacrifice. But Daniel did not come to gilgal and the people were scattering from Saul is the Philistines surrounded them as has Samuel did not come in battalions. The forces of Israel began to believe they were afraid to install said bring the burnt offering here to me and the peace offerings and he offered the burnt offering and we didn't go all the way through Leviticus but if the king supposed to offer the offerings to the Lord Definitely not the king is is not a priest and he has not given that Authority by the Lord and so in this great Act of cowardice, it seems as his forces were fleeing as Samuel did not arrive saw usurps the authority of a priest and offers a sacrifice to the Lord. Bring the bra fitting here to me in the peace offering and he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering behold Samuel Kane. It's all went out to meet him and greet him Samuel said what have you done? And Saul said when I saw the people were scattering from me and that you did not come with the days of pointed that the Philistines had mustered at michmash. I said now the Philistines will come down and I sought the favor of the Lord so I forced myself and offered the burnt offering Daniel said this all you have done foolishly. You have not connect cap the command of the Lord your God with which he commanded you for then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and the Lord has commanded him to be Prince over his people because you have not kept with the Lord commanded you and Samuel Rose and went up from gilgal. The challenging time a terrible decision here by Saul and yet they prepare for battle against the Philistines. We're told a little bit later in the verses and this is a remarkable we heard regarding the power of the Philistines over is real fit his head as the people of God began to prepare to battle the Philistines that there was not a single sword in all of Israel. The Philistines had stripped them of all of their weapons. The only two swords that were present in Israel for in Jonathan tan and in King Saul's hand all the others were just Farm instruments and tools and hoes and machetes for cutting down a slash in in the light can into it. It kind of shows the distinct that the the Hebrews were in as they stood before this. Great Army. And yet the two forces came up one against another and it was a little bit of a stalemate as the Philistines a hardened their entrenchments their garrisons and as the Israelites and fear kind of prepared themselves for battle then all of the sudden there was a Breaking Point in the conflict Jonathan committed kind of a solo Mission when he went up against the Garrison of the Philistines that was in a very difficult place to reach in and Jonathan had the victory there just him and his armor Bearer. He struck down 27 steen's in that in that day. And and and for some reason though, it's the Lord brought a great Panic on the Philistine after Jonathan's Victory read about it in 1st Samuel 14. There was a panic in the camp Everest 15 chapter 14 in the field in among all the Philistine people The Garrison and even the Raiders trembled the earthquake that became a very great panic. And watching us all and give you a Benjamin looked and behold the multitude was dispersing here and they are so what takes place is that Saul calls his forces to go out to battle. He sees that the Philistines are beginning to flee and he sends them out against the Philistines in that moment and and they have a great Victory on that day. And the people of Israel were batting the Philistines and it's the mister this Victory false. Hope is just completely vanquished the Philistines and so he charges all the people of Israel not even to break for a meal with the continued to push forward and it's straight down the Philistines and so is charged with that. No one in Israel could eat on that day. Jonathan didn't learn of that charge and that he was moving from one battle site to another there was some honey laying on the ground as they move through this forest and he picked some up and he ate it and immediately one of the soldiers saw what he had done. He told him don't you know that your father is Band anyone from eating on this day or Jonathan didn't know that it back. Jonathan said that's kind of a foolish thing. I mean, it's renew my strength and we could do so much more and so the battling for that day comes to an end in and and the camp of Israel comes into camp in the the Philistines who are fleeing or On the Run and had Samuel and Saul wants to destroy the Philistines once and for all the before going out. He speaks the Lord and ask the Lord. Can we go out against the Philistines tomorrow in school? We have a victory as well. He praising the Lord does not respond in any calls the high priest forward in a takes the foo mean looming Stoney throws it out and cast it and the Lord. Is not speaking Sol Solace upset and Confused had three calls all the people of Israel together. He said the Lord will not answer. Something's wrong. Someone's done something that is ungodly in the midst of this great Victory and he separates all of his real on one side and and Samuel and I'm sorry Saul and Jonathan on the other side and lots are cast again and the guilt falls upon Saul and Jonathan and any turns to his son Jonathan it says, what did you do in Jonathan confesses that I ate some of the honey there in the land and I learned later that you would, you know told no one to do that prohibited out of all people and installed says to his son Jonathan then surely you will die is he calls out the guard to cut Jonathan down in that moment the people of Israel rise up and say stop what you're doing. What kind of foolish decision is this? The Philistines have been delivered into your hands the job that had no idea what you had charged and you're going to put your own son to death. Is a picture of the Rasmussen foolishness of King Saul's decision-making and it would characterize decisions later on in his life as well. Will that Israelites in the Philistines break camp on that day and and and and in the go their own way And the final story that will look at today comes at the end of Saul's life. It's all life continued in in ways that were very disappointing. And the Lord commanded him in it in another situation to the rise up and and and move against the amalekites another people group in the land of Israel who had shot Israel's death because they came into the promised land. Charge Saul to strike down the amalekites utterly destroy them in that same kind of a judgmental act that he used as Israel was initially going into the Promised Land. Saul went out in battle against the amalekites and against their team and any a great Victory, but he didn't strike them down. He brought back the riches and he brought back the best of the animals in peace. Their King agag. Well Samuel arrived and it's and what have you done and install said well, we we we defeated the amalekites today and and and here's their King and and here's all of their goods and the best of their animals when we retain them for the sacrifice and yet Samuel makes it very clear to Saul that you've not done. What was good in the eyes of the Lord, but you've been disobedient in this act It was another demonstration of how stall had failed to serve the Lord faithfully and reading first Samuel chapter 15 verse 10 God's judgement on Saul in verse 10. The word of the Lord came to Samuel. I regret that I have made Saul King free is turned back from following me and is not performed by Commandments and said he was angry and he cried to the Lord all night and yet the Lord did not relent of his judgment, but he rejected Saul as king over Israel Samuel could front us all there after the battle with the amalekites when he fails to to add estimate that land and devote them to the destruction and inverse 14 of of chapter 15. Here's what we read.

Samuel approach Saul and said if you've done all that the Lord has commanded than what Dan is the bleeding of the sheep in my ears. Paul said they brought them from the amalekites for the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice to the Lord. And the rest we have devoted to destruction, but Samuel said to stall stop. I will tell you what the Lord said to me this night and he said speak to him and Samuel said This Tall though. You are little in your own eyes. Are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord annoy you King over Israel and the Lord said you on a mission and said go devote to destruction the center's the amalekites and fight against them until they are consumed. Nurse again here at the end of Saul's life the charge that Samuel levels against stall. What is it though? You are little in your own eyes. Are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? He man at the beginning of his kingship still he knew that he had been anointed by God is King over Israel. He hid in the baggage on the day of his coronation here in the middle of his kingship when the Lord calls him to execute judgment on the amalekites in a in a in a Divine Way of judgement where everything is destroyed dog refuses to obey the Lord and why does he refuse because he wants to let the key people keep some of the spoil. He's little in his own eyes. He's afraid of what others think he fails to be obedient to the Lord the Lord had sent him on a mission. My study life of Samuel sometimes I think of our own lives as we talked about last week that we two have been commissioned and called by the Lord to do what he has placed before us. How often do we see ourselves as little in our own eyes? Unable to do what God has called us to do. And yet here in the story of King Saul we learned that his perspective of being unable to do what God has called him to do is truly an unwillingness to do what God has called him to do a lack of faith in the promise that God has equipped him to do all that God has called him to do you know that you're equipped to do what God has called you to do. Don't consider yourself little in your own eyes. When the Lord your God is great. Talk about some of the things that he's called us to do in terms of sharing the gospel. There's no greater task that we have and you're equipped and able to do that very thing and so do it with confidence and insurance. Saul's life ins tragically at the end of this exchange Samuel makes it very clear to him that the Lord has stripped the kingship from his hands. Here's what Samuel says to stall as Saul tried to claim that he was going to offer the spoils to the Lord and sacrifice these or Samuels words to him. Has the Lord is great Delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord behold to obey is better than sacrifice and a listen than the fat of Rams for Rebellion is as the sin of divination and presumption is an iniquity and idolatry because you have rejected the word of the Lord. He is also rejected you from being King. So on that day the Lord rejected Saul and his family from kingship over Israel and were told at the end of The Exchange that in great fear salt seized hold of Samuel as he sought to leave and tore his robe seeking for him to relent and to change the Lord's mind somehow. Daniel turn to stall and said the Lord has torn the Kingdom of Israel from you this day and is giving it to a neighbor of yours. Who is better than you. The story Ended as Samuel took the king of the amalekites agag. This old man Samuel and hacked him to pieces because God had to clear judgment upon him. Besaws life ended tragically and the kingship of Israel had an auspicious beginning as if to punctuate the whole life of so we read and 1st Samuel 28 at the very end of his life after David has had Arisen which Pastor Bob will talk about next week. We find stall it is very final battle. I see you standing there two to go out against the Philistines is a great number of this Army that he has fought year upon year over the course of his kingship arises tall now an old man who is in many ways lost his mind and lost his way as well learn more about in the weeks ahead is at his Wit's End as he brings the armies of Israel before the Philistines for one last battle. He seeks the Lord and the Lord's power at the very end of his life and the Lord is not to be found. How do you seek the Lord in prayer and he has this priest seek the Lord and the Lord will not speak. And so we learn of a of a tragic ending to life of a man that God had once called in 1st Samuel 28 verse 6, the people were afraid and Trimble because of the presence of the Philistines verse 5 through 6. And when Saul inquired of the Lord the Lord did not answer him by dreams or buy me more by prophets then stall said to his servants seek out for me a woman who is a medium that I may go to her and inquire if her and his servant said to him behold there is a medium at Endor. To solve disguise himself in and put on other garments and Wente and two men with him and they came to the woman by night and said Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me from the dead. Whomever. I shall name to you. You can already tell the depths to which stall has sunk in his life and he's abandoned his faith in the Lord and sunk into Witchcraft and Consulting a medium surely, you know, what's all has done notice that's cut off the mediums in the necromancers from the land The Necromancer is someone who speaks to the dead why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death? But sauce for her by the Lord has no punishment shall come upon you for this thing. Then the woman said whom shall I bring up for you? He said bring up. Samuel for me when a woman saw Samuel I never before her she cried out with a loud voice in the woman said to stall why have you deceived me you were Saul the king said to her do not be afraid. What do you see the woman said this all I see a god coming up out of the earth. He said to her what is his appearance? And she said it's an old man is coming up and he is wrapped in a robe and install new that was Samuel and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage Ben. Samuel said to stall why have you disturbed Me by bringing me up? So I'll answer. I'm in great distress for the Philistines are warring against me. And God is turned away from me and answers me no more either by prophets are by dreamed. Therefore. I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do. Is Samuel said to Saul why then do you ask me since the Lord is turn from you and become your enemy the Lord has done to you as he spoke buy me the Lord is torn in the Kingdom out of your hand and giving it to your neighbor David because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his Fierce wrath against emelec moreover. The Lord will give Israel over to the Philistines tomorrow and tomorrow you and your son shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hands of the Philistines install fell it once full length on the ground filled with fear because of the words of Samuel and it was no strength in him or he'd eaten nothing all day and night. the tragic story the man who God had called and given one of the greatest pass that he ever gave Danny Israelite the governess people in a way to honor the Lord. And the first king of Israel ends in this way. The next day as they went out to battle just as Samuel had predicted even from the grave. It's always struck down after his sons were struck down and their bodies were hung on the wall of one of the Philistine cities for all to see

the story of the first king of Israel is a tragic one. And if we isolate anything with it at that we can take away as a point to learn from it seems to be that when God calls us to something we can do what he's called us to do. We need not fear. We did not see ourselves as too little because the Lord that we serve is far greater enough and it's all never came to have faith in the calling it God and placed on his life. Be a great contrast. Next week is Pastor Bob tells us about the story of the king that follows Saul and his leadership over Israel. He too will have his faults and foibles, but we still seek the Lord day in and day out for the great majority of his life. Let's close our time this morning in a word of Prayer.

gracious God

we read your scripture because we know it contains your word your assessment of of the world in a box and the promises the warnings that you provide for our benefit. You don't write the story of Saul and in in the Bible for your benefit, you know that story but you write it for ours. We're humbled bored by the story of this man who fell so short. And we asked oh Lord that we would not fall short in the same way. You two have called us do a grade in challenging mission. Not Advance the borders of Israel or a nation by force or by might nor by power but to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ by word of Grace in the death resurrection and soon return of Jesus Christ Our Lord and often we see ourselves as little in our own eyes and our enemies is great. Lord help us to carry forward faithfully and confidently and fearlessly with the charge that you have laid in our hands that we might go to neighbor and family and friend and share the good news of the Gospel with those who have trusted and empty things because they know no other are we thank you for the great sign of our calling the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Made in power our mission and give courage to our hearts as we seek to be the men and women that you called us to be in Jesus name. We pray amen, but stand together for a closing song.