Inclement Weather Update (click for more details):

1 Samuel 10:17-27

Sermon Transcript

Do you find comfort in knowing that God won’t be thwarted? The Devil’s schemes, rebellion, flawed people…none of these derail God’s kingdom plans. Join Dr. Marty Baker as he takes us through 1 Samuel 10:17-27 and we see this truth played out through the life of Samuel, Saul, and the people of Israel.

At the close of his pivotal chapter on spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6, Paul draws this conclusion:

11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (Eph. 6)

Being suited up each day with the spiritual military gear Paul details in verses 14 through 19 is utterly essential because the Devil, your Adversary, is constantly scheming to dilute, diminish, and derail your faith. The Greek word for “schemes is methodeias (μεθοδείας), and according to Friberg’s Analytical Greek Lexicon, it connotes craftiness, cunning, deception, and cunning tricks. The word is rightfully in the plural because the Devil has a plethora of schemes up his sleeve.

If he can get you with greed, he will go for it. If that won’t work, but an addiction will, he will head in that direction. If you do not fall for these, then he might cause a personal situation to be so caustic and to hurt you so deeply that you wind up being immobile in your faith because of bitterness. If this angle proves fruitless, he might come at you with an alien ideology that runs counter to God but sounds good to you and acceptable to your culture. I have been reading Megan Basham’s excellent book Shepherd’s For Sale recently. In it, she details how many well-known Christian pastors and professors have compromised sound biblical doctrine concerning various cultural issues, all for wokeism and fitting into the culture. The result of these compromises is decimated and derailed churches, which is just what the Devil desires, so he schemes to this end, constantly.

During the period of the Judges of Israel, the Devil convinced the people that an earthly king would be more beneficial than a heavenly king. When the people failed to take this cunning concept captive before God, seeking His analysis and input (2 Cor. 10:5), they eventually convinced themselves they desperately needed to throw off God’s limiting rule and establish more self-rule through an Israelite king who would be like the powerful, ruthless, and effective kings of the surrounding nations. I am sure the Devil smiled broadly as the nation headed down this road because he knew this sinful ideology would not only damage them spiritually at an individual level, it would serve to possibly hamstring God’s promise to one day send a divine Deliverer to deal with him (Gen. 3:15) and also secure a redeemed people for God’s prophesied and promised kingdom (Gen. 49:8-10; Num. 24:17).

In First Samuel chapter 10, verses 17 through 27, we encounter the Devil’s sinister scheme as Saul is coronated as Israel’s first king. At the beginning of this section, I am sure he laughed with a raspy voice as it looked like his strategy was developing well; however, God was not mocked nor deceived by Satan’s dastardly work in and among His chosen people, Israel. No sooner do we see things heading south in the nation than the Lord lovingly shows up and drives home the following truth that still resonates today corporately and individually

Rebellion Against God Does Not Derail His Kingdom Plans (1 Samuel 10:17-27)

While chapter 10, verses 1 through 16 were primarily positive concerning the private coronation of Saul with the prophet Samuel, the ensuing verses turn and head in a negative direction because of the people’s sin. Sounds like life. You move from wonderful spiritual hilltop experiences with God, and then you, for a variety of vacuous reasons, head into a spiritual valley because of sin on your part. Israel, in this regard, is, therefore, a people we can identify with if we are honest. However, the real question is: Will we learn from them? What will we learn? What I have already told you.

You walking away from the Lord’s lordship over your life, as Moses did in the OT when he struck the rock twice with his rod to miraculously draw out water instead of speaking to it once, as the Lord has commanded (Num. 20:8-12), or as Demas did in the NT when he deserted Paul for the love of materialism (2 Tim. 4:10), does not sidetrack God’s plan for you and the advancement of His kingdom plans. He will move in disciplinary judgment, but He will also take that which is crooked and make it straight . . . despite the Devil’s schemes.

Watch how this motif and timeless truth is developed in this historical narrative:

Note To Self: Dumb Desires Do Not Derail God

First, let’s read the text and then offer some salient observations:

17 Thereafter Samuel called the people together to the LORD at Mizpah;

Probably not long after Saul’s private coronation, Samuel assembled all the twelve tribes of Israel at the typical meeting place of the mountain town called Mizpah. Located about fifteen miles north of Jerusalem within the tribal lands of Benjamin, this site served as a central location for tribal issues (1 Sam. 7:5-11). At this juncture, they all had no idea concerning the purpose of the massive meeting, but they all dutifully attended.

Once there, Samuel’s opening speech sounded more like a prosecutor’s opening statement against a person for criminal activity.

18 and he said to the sons of Israel, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘I brought Israel up from Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the power of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’

It was as if the people were summoned into God’s courtroom. God opened His case against His people by reminding them of His miraculous deliverance and protective provision regarding their various enemies. He worked in and through Moses and Aaron to bring ten inexplicable plagues upon the mighty military machine of Egypt. All of these combined caused the Egyptians to free the Israelites from slavery, which positioned them to be His people, His chosen nation (Deut. 7). Beyond this, Samuel reminded the people how God always stepped in to unleash His divine power against their enemies. Whether it was the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8f) or the Philistines in the time of Samuel, God had proven He could be counted on as Israel’s protective king. That was His historical track record.

But all this was not enough for the carnally, earthly-minded people of God. Samuel’s words pierced their hard hearts with these cold, hard facts:

19 But you today rejected your God, who delivers you from all your calamities and your distresses; yet you have said, ‘No, but set a king over us!’ Now therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your clans. (1 Sam. 10)

The Hebrew is extremely emphatic at two places in this verse by introducing a coordinating conjunction waw (pronounced vav, where the “w” is like the German) to a non-verb. Here that first non-verb is the second person plural of “you,” attem (וְאַתֶּ֙ם    ). Instead of obeying God and following His proven, powerful leadership, they outright rejected Him, opting to have an earthly king like those of the nations (1 Sam. 8:5).

You could have heard a pin drop when Samuel bellowed these words to the tribes. His next statement, no doubt, probably caused them to stiffen their spines as they anticipated God’s logical disciplinary action toward them for being rebellious.

Now therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your clans. (1 Sam. 10)

‎וְעַתָּ֗ה הִֽתְיַצְּבוּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶ֖ם וּלְאַלְפֵיכֶֽם׃ (1 Sam. 10:19)

The non-verb, waw, is wedded here to the adverb attah ( ‎וְעַתָּ֗ה  ) to create a second emphatic decree. God arrested the attention of his wayward, selfish people, and He had every right to judge them for their open rebellion. Still, as we will see, He turned and graciously took their twisted request and ultimately worked in and through it to advance His kingdom through an earthly king. However, history shows that God’s idea of an ideal king to advance His lofty plans was far different from the people’s. They looked at the outward characteristics of the king, while God would look at the inward. But until that time, He would give them the dumb desire of their heart.

Are you guilty of having a dumb desire that contradicts God’s Word and ways? Perhaps you have cleverly devised various rationales for your desire in an attempt to dress it up and make it look viable, even virtuous. But it isn’t, and you know it. It is rebellion, pure and simple, and it’s an illustration that you want to be Lord in this area of your life while pushing the Lord out. Perhaps it revolves around seeking a non-biblical divorce, marrying a non-believer when you know you shouldn’t, dating a non-believer when you know it isn’t wise, or, well, I’ll let you fill in the blank. Please realize that your thoughtless, illogical desire will cost you intimacy with Christ, but it will not ultimately thwart His plans for you and how you can be used to advance His kingdom work.

Second, wrap your mind around this next concept. Israel was challenged to.

Note To Self: Flawed Folks Do Not Derail God

Instead of experiencing the ground opening up in a massive, pinpoint earthquake and swallowing up the rebels, as happened in Israel’s past (Num. 16), God suddenly headed in an unexpected, need I say, somewhat refreshing and merciful direction.

20 Thus Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot.

Israel had seen this drill before after Achan had taken gold, silver, and other objects God said were forbidden for the Israelites to take from fallen Jericho (Josh. 7:21). Moses discovered who the guilty party was by bringing the tribes before him and casting lots (Josh. 7:14). Proverbs 16, verse 33 says that God controls the casting of lots, so it was not surprising when the lot fell on Achan. For his open rebellion, God commanded Israel to him and his entire family for they were all part and parcel to the flagrant sin (Josh. 7:24). As far as Israel was concerned here with Samuel, they must have thought some type of divine judgment was about to unfold. Well, it was, but not in the way they thought. They had asked for an earthly king like the nations, and God would give them what they asked.

The suspense of the lot casting ended when it reached the tribe of Benjamin.

21 Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul the son of Kish was taken; but when they looked for him, he could not be found.22 Therefore they inquired further of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” So the LORD said, “Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage.” 23 So they ran and took him from there, and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. 24 And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen? Surely there is no one like him among all the people.” So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!”

The lost casting went round and round, then suddenly stopped when it fell on Saul, the son of Kish. Of all the men in Israel, this man would be Israel’s first king.

Saul possessed no real leadership or political experience, but he was outwardly what Israel thought they needed in a king: tall, dark, handsome, and physically strong. They could not have been more misguided and misinformed about what constitutes a great, proficient leader. Saul was everything they did not need but would get in the form of divine judgment for seeking an earthly king instead of their heavenly king.

In addition to the character flaws, we saw in Saul’s life in the first sixteen verses of this chapter, more surface here. When the divinely controlled lot fell on him, he was nowhere to be found. You might need to read that one more time. Instead of representing his family as a man’s man, instead of being bold and courageous, he was purposefully off the radar. Where was he? He was hiding in the baggage located in the area, which people had probably brought with them when they traveled to Mizpah.

Why was Saul hiding? Why was this Goliathesque, muscle-bound figure buried under a mound of baggage? Samuel had already coronated him as God’s choice for the new throne, but here he is, running from God’s will. Why? He did not want to be obedient to God’s will. He did not want to be the king. He did not want to be the man who spearheaded attacks against the Philistines. He wanted a quiet, comfortable, predictable life without significant challenges and pressures. We might even safely say he was a coward, fearful of doing more meaningful, challenging, demanding things in life. He did not want the new position, so the people had to run, grab him, and present him to the nation.

Would you have wanted this guy to be your new king? He was tall, dark, handsome, and ripped but also timid, cowardly, and reticent to do the job. Now, there is a great candidate for king. Right. Is it not sad how quickly we will settle for a lesser man for a leadership position based on inferior qualities? Israel should have waited for a man after God’s own heart, but they wanted what they wanted, now. And they got it in one flawed king, Saul.

Did any of this thwart God’s kingdom plans for His people? No. If the Devil was high-fiving his demonic buddies when Saul stepped reluctantly forward, their celebration was short-lived because they failed to remember that God specialized in working through flawed people. Abraham had a penchant for lying. Moses was impatient with quarrelsome people. King Hezekiah had a prideful moment when he let his guard down. Peter tended to act first and think second. James and John had anger management issues. Yes, Saul had character flaws. We all do. But God would use those character flaws to guide the nation to the king who would be everything God knew they needed, and who would also be the godly type of king who would set the foundation for the kingdom of the Messiah to come. That king’s name is David, but this is to get ahead of ourselves.

It suffices to say that God continues to work His plans even when our personalities seem to get in the way.

Next, we are reminded of how God proposed to keep the flawed kings on the right path:

Note To Self:  The Word Is The Rail

The king was not free to lead as he saw fit. No, he was to strictly follow God’s law and not tamper with it, ever. Read on and you will see what I mean:

25 Then Samuel told the people the ordinances of the kingdom, and wrote them in the book and placed it before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his house.

What is this all about? It’s about the law of kings as established by Moses, and God, some 4oo years before the arrival of Saul based on the sinful request of the rebellious people. Here is what God said:

When you come to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you possess it and dwell in it and then say, “I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,” you may indeed set a king over you whom the Lord your God will choose [the word we saw in 1 Samuel 10:24]. One from among your brothers you shall set as king over you. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the Lord has said to you, “You shall never return that way again.” And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold. And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests; and it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel. (cf. Deuteronomy 17:14–20)

The king was not free to do his own thing. According to Moses, a full copy of the Torah was to be near his throne at all times, and he was supposed to read and study it every day of his rulership so that he would fear and follow the living God. God’s law was/is absolute and unchanging. It informed the king about how to rule justly over His people in all the areas of their lives, from how to conduct war (Deut. 20) to what constitutes moral sexual behavior (Deut. 22). The people wanted a king like the nations who did do his own thing, but that is not what they got. They had a king responsible for always fearing and following God’s law. If he would do this, they would be blessed. If he didn’t, they would be cursed (Lev. 26). Isn’t God so wise? He out-maneuvered these rebels, and that is always how He rolls.

You might rebel, but He will always bring you back to the rails of His Word that will keep you moving in the right direction. Every analogy breaks down, but think of God’s Word this way. It’s like the rails in Disneyland’s Autopia. You can drive here and there in the lane, but the middle guiding rail keeps you on the straight and narrow. You might drift to the moral left and right, but in your life is the Word that tells you which direction you should head to please God. Following the Word guides you to the destination of God’s choosing: blessing and, ultimately, the kingdom. Nothing can thwart this, for the Word is our guide and will be fulfilled in the letter as Christ promised (Matt. 5:17- 19).

If you are rebelling against God today, it’s time to return to Him, wouldn’t you say? His Word shows you the way back. His Word shows you the way forward, but you, like Saul, must avail yourself of it. Will you?

In addition to the Word having a positive impact on guiding God’s people toward God’s plan, we learn in the next verse the value of key people in your life:

Note To Self: Good Buddies Can Be The Bomb

This might seem like an insignificant verse, but it isn’t. Saul had courage issues, so what did God do? He surrounded him with many courageous men willing to fight the nation’s enemies and stand in the gap when the going got tough. God supernaturally touched the hearts of these men at the tribal council, and they immediately knew they needed to come alongside and serve their new king.

26 And Saul also went to his house at Gibeah; and the valiant men whose hearts God had touched went with him.

Never forget that when you sow seeds of rebellion, when your character flaws seem to make fulfilling God’s will for your life a non-reality, God will probably make sure some godly friends who don’t have your issues sovereignly and suddenly come alongside you. Why? So you can fulfill God’s plans for you, others, and His kingdom. Remember: Moses had Aaron; Joshua had Caleb; Deborah had Barak; Daniel had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; Peter had James and John; Paul had Timothy, and so on. Who do you have? Can you name them? Those are the valiant men and women God has brought to help you fight the good fight of the faith so you grow, and God’s kingdom will grow through you. And if you don’t have them yet, then I think you know how to pray today.

Lastly,

Note To Self: Flawed Folks Do Not Derail God

This short but interesting section closes most unpredictably:

27 But certain worthless men said, “How can this one deliver us?” And they despised him and did not bring him any present. But he kept silent.

Until we arrive on heaven’s shore, there will always be wicked people who will oppose us because we are God’s chosen people. Once these men heard that the new king would be required to follow God’s law, they immediately trashed Saul because they did not want that kind of leader. They wanted a worldly king who would govern in a worldly, godless fashion. Hence, from the institution of Saul’s role as king, a group of scoundrels rose to oppose him to his face.

I can name all these men because I’ve faced them my whole spiritual walk. When I was a new pastor one told me, “I cannot serve as a leader with you because you don’t know Jesus enough to help people know Him.” Huh? Another told me over hamburgers for lunch, “Young man, I’ve seen many pastors in my life, and I just want to let you know from my seasoned perspective, you are not going to make it.” Really? Still another said, “Your sermons bother me.” I also have a list in a file in my office of all the nasty names I’ve been called as a pastor by other believers. Why can saints be so vicious to each other?

What have I learned in all of this? I’ve learned one simple, inexorable truth:  flawed folks do not, and cannot, derail the plans of God for my life (or yours), nor can they hamstring God’s intention to use me (and you) to advance His spiritual kingdom. So, hold your peace, press forward, and watch God work spectacularly.

Sermon Details