Bible in 365 Days

1 Samuel 15-17

1 Samuel 15

Saul was commissioned by Jehovah through Samuel to smite Amalek, and it was in connection with this that the sin occurred which filled his cup to the brim and caused him to be rejected.

His campaign was victorious over the whole section of the country, but again he was disobedient, sparing Agag and a part of the spoil.

Samuel's anger at this wrong is a clear revelation of his loyalty to Jehovah. Strong in his consciousness of the supremacy of Cod over the appointed king, and in his sense of the folly of the king's sin, Samuel went forth to meet the king. When Samuel charged Saul with sin Saul prevaricated, meeting the prophet with what was virtually a lie on his lips, "I have performed the commandment of Jehovah." Then in solemn and sublime words Samuel pronounced him as rejected for the kingship.

There is a striking contrast between Samuel and Saul as they are seen here side by side. Saul, the man of great opportunity, miserably failing and passing through disobedience to ruin. Samuel, rejected long ago of the people, still mighty in his allegiance to God, burning in anger, denouncing in force, and, finally, in a white heat of loyalty, himself hewing Agag to pieces.

This was the last interview between the king and the prophet prior to the latter's death. Very touching is the statement, "Samuel mourned for Saul." Evidently the old man had loved the young man, and had hoped great things from him. When Saul failed, Samuel denounced him without sparing, and then in loneliness mourned over him.

1 Samuel 16

We now come to the third section of this Book, throughout which David is the principal figure. It would seem that Samuel had given himself over to the sadness occasioned by Saul's failure. Jehovah rebuked him. Perfect conformity to the will of God forbids any kind of prolonged mourning over human failure. If Saul had failed, God had not, and Samuel was now commissioned to arise and anoint His king.

This time the choice was to be made on an entirely new basis. Israel had had a king of physical magnificence, one likely to appeal to their desire for conformity to the ideals of surrounding nations. Jehovah would now appoint a man after His own heart.

The deterioration of Saul became more marked. The chronicler tells us that "an evil spirit from Jehovah troubled him." This is naturally a very arresting and remarkable statement. Its meaning, however, is perfectly clear in its revealing of God's sovereignty of the fact that all the forces of evil, whether they will or no, are still under the government of God.

In preparation for his work as king in the economy of God, David found his way to the court. The occasion of his coming there was the melancholy of the king and his own musical ability. The principal value of this story is its clear revelation of the authority and activity of God in government. Under that government all things are seen moving toward the accomplishment of the divine purpose.

1 Samuel 17

The story contained in this chapter is one of the most familiar of the Old Testament narratives. It places Saul and David in sharp contrast as each stands out in clear relief.

In the presence of the enemy of his people, notwithstanding his position and his army, Saul is seen to be utterly incompetent. On the other hand, David, without human resources, but conscious of the true greatness of his. people, and sure of the strength of his God, went forth to battle with the Philistine champion.

The secret of his strength is revealed in his address to Goliath, 'Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin; but I come to thee in the name of Jehovah of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, which thou hast defied."

Whereas under ordinary circumstances it is the duty of the servants of Cod to make all preparation possible for action, and to employ every resource available in the prosecution of the divine purpose, a man in an hour of crisis may attempt impossible things and be assured of victory in the name of God.

In the divine economy, Saul was no longer king, and David was. He demonstrated his fitness for the kingly position and power by his victory, which revealed his clear understanding of the true secrets of his people's strength and of the power of God.