King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Chapters: I Samuel Chapters 8-11
Message: A Servants Heart
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading the chapters for today it reminded me of how much God had changed my heart from someone who barely knew Him to one of His own servants. My husband and I have been without a church home for a couple of months now, and let me tell you as someone who jumped into the role of a servants heart quickly after getting baptized it has been quite disheartening to not be serving in church. It may sound strange, but there is something freeing about being a servant of God, I mean, we all serve someone, why not God?
[Romans 6:16-18,21-22 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.]
While our salvation has nothing to do with being obedient to God other than putting our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, the Holy Spirit in us surely directs not only our heart, but our spirit to serve God. I do not know how people can get saved and not have that desire to do nothing more as it truly does a body good to be serving God, [1 Corinthians 12:3-4,11 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.]
Samuel, was a Godly judge as well as priest and prophet, he was now about fifty-four years old, his health may not have been the best so, he was unable to go to all the places as he did before. As we continue in the reading of I Samuel, we learn that Samuel was not getting around so much, he chose to dwell near the Tabernacle in Ramah for the most part, and set his two sons as judges over Israel to help him. Unbeknownst to him until now, while they were not as wicked as Eli’s sons, they were the politicians of their day, making themselves rich by taking bribes from wicked people, which perverted their judgment. And now the people demand a king.
[1 Samuel 8:1-6 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. 3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. 4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.]
[And his sons walked not in his ways,] This as it would any parent, grieved Samuel, but what displeased him more was their demand for a king because that reflected upon God. Nevertheless, God, allowed Samuel to give them a king, although He did not see this as an opportunity for them to be more obedient.
[1 Samuel 8:7-9 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.]
[they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me,] Notice that God points out that the children of Israel have been rejecting Him since they came out of Egypt. God, takes it personal whenever people turn to the world for their needs and not Him. Jesus, said it this way, [Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.]
Oh, and if they thought that what Samuel’s sons were doing was bad, they had no idea what they were getting themselves into once they were granted their earthly king. Samuel, goes on to solemnly protest their request as God had said, but they did not care, they wanted what the world had.
[1 Samuel 8:11-14,18-20 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. 12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. 13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. 14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. 18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. 19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; 20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.]
[And ye shall cry out in that day…and the LORD will not hear you in that day.] The Israelites truly did not understand how free they were under God’s rule, and sadly, this is the majority of people, to have government provide for and take care of their every need. The problem with that is that a lot of people who rule over us tend to become corrupt themselves with all that power. This was what Samuel was trying to show them and there will be a time when they will cry out to Him about this, but God will not hear their cries because they chose their king, [Luke 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:]
Believe it or not, the people we have in office today, even the corrupt politicians, were appointed by God. If they want an earthly king to rule over them and refuse to live decent and moral lives then they will suffer. Well, since they demanded a one was selected to suit their taste, God, chose a handsome, young, man who was about seven feet tall, his name was Saul, and we learn of him when he was sent by his father to search for some donkey’s.
[1 Samuel 9:1-4 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. 2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. 3 And the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses. 4 And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.]
[and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he:] Saul, readily went to seek his father’s donkey’s, his obedience to his father was what pleased God. His servant knowing that Samuel lived in Ramah suggested that they should call on Samuel, and Saul did take his advice.
[1 Samuel 9:6,10-12,14 And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go. 10 Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was. 11 And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here? 12 And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: 14 And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.]
[Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.] Samuel, knew that they were coming because God had already let him know. As soon as Saul saw Samuel he was eager to speak with him, but watch what he says.
[1 Samuel 9:18-20,26-27 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is. 19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart. 20 And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father’s house? 26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. 27 And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.]
[Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.] I find it strange that Saul did not know who Samuel was when everyone knew him, but this does show you that he was not a man of the world. You see, before we are even saved God works on our hearts, and those who truly seek Him will gladly hear and accept His Word, [John 14:23-24 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.]
[that I may shew thee the word of God.] This is the Gospel in their day, God, will only reveal Himself to those who are willing to come to Him. I can only imagine how God feels when He hears people say that they do not want to hear what He has to say to them. Now, Saul, followed Samuel and something kind of weird happened, Samuel, took a vial of oil and poured it on his head.
[1 Samuel 10:1,5-6,9 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? 5 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: 6 And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. 9 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.]
[And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee…and shalt be turned into another man.] Wow! The power of the Holy Spirit really does turn you into another person. I know that I am not the same person I was before I received Christ as my Saviour and the Holy Spirit came into my soul. In fact, we are new creatures, [2 Corinthians 5:14-17 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.]
Saul, really could not understand how any of this was possible, after all, he was of the lowest of the tribes. And that is what Jesus does to us, He chooses the lowest of the flock, the chiefest of sinners, then simply asks us to trust Him so that He can fulfill what He has purposed for us. Now, Samuel calls all the tribes together to officially call him as king. Saul was pretty scared to stand before the congregation, what would he do if they rejected him and quite a few did, in fact, he was hiding.
[1 Samuel 10:19-24 And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands. 20 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken. 21 When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found. 22 Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff. 23 And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward. 24 And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.]
[when they sought him, he could not be found.] The biggest, tallest man in all the nation of Israel and he is hiding out of fear. Of course, they found him, actually God was the one who pointed out where he was. Did you know that those who are anointed with the blood of Christ cannot hide themselves, they stick out, and are found out because we do belong to Christ now, [Colossians 3:9-11 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.]
[all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.] I do not think that Saul comprehended what happened yet, in fact, while they were yelling, “God save the king!” he ran back home. And the news that Israel now had a king was not so good to everyone. Ammon, rebelled and wanted to start a nation of their own, with a price. However, with Saul’s new heart he was able to communicate with God, and be the king He anointed him to be.
[1 Samuel 11:1-2,4,6-7 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee. 2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel. 4 Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept. 6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. 7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.]
[And the fear of the LORD fell on the people,] There is nothing like the fear of death to bring the fear of God in people, [2 Corinthians 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.]
Now, with a plan at hand, crossing the Jordan in the evening, Saul, marched his army all night, and came at daybreak on the camp of the Ammonites, who were surprised in three different parts, and totally routed.
[1 Samuel 11:11-14 And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together. 12 And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death. 13 And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel. 14 Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.]
[There shall not a man be put to death this day:] The second we receive Jesus as our Saviour we are saved from death, the second death that is, unless Jesus comes before then. One day our true King will stand before His throne and judge each and every one of us, when the world comes to an end and everyone is scrambling, we will be carried to safety to await our new and permanent home.
[Revelation 21:3-5 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [1 Samuel 11:13 And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for the freewill to decide how I believe and what I want to do with my life and thank You for changing my heart. You saw something in me before I was even born that You knew I would find Your Son, You watched over me, protected me through my crazy pursuits, and yet was willing to accept me as I am once I was ready to fully accept Your Son. Lord, since You know my heart better than I do, reveal to me anything that hardens it. Give me a servants heart always and keep my heart open completely to let You rule every area of my life. Let the Holy Spirt do His work in me so that I may be keep someone from death today. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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