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Rise Of The KingsThe Books of I & II Samuel
I Samuel 13-15
“The Decline of Saul”
Announcements
I and II SamuelWeek Date Topic
1 07 Mar 12 Samuel’s Call: 1 Samuel 1:1-4:1a
2 14 Mar 12 The Ark Narratives: 1 Samuel 4:1b-7:17
3 21 Mar 12 Israel Demands a King: 1 Samuel 8-12
4 28 Mar 12 The Decline of Saul: 1 Samuel 13-15
5 04 Apr 12 David – God’s Anointed: 1 Samuel 16-19
6 11 Apr 12 Saul’s Rejection of David: 1 Samuel 20:1-28:2
7 18 Apr 12 The Death of Saul: 1 Samuel 28:3-31:13
8 25 Apr 12 David Becomes King: II Samuel 1-6
9 02 May 12 The Davidic Covenant: II Samuel 7-10
10 09 May 12 Senior Blessing
11 16 May 12 David’s Moral Failure: II Samuel 11-14
12 23 May 12 Absalom’s Rebellion: II Samuel 15:1-19:8a
13 30 May 12 David Returns to Jerusalem: II Samuel 19:8b-24
I and II SamuelWeek Date Topic
1 05 Mar 08 Samuel’s Call: 1 Samuel 1:1-4:1a
2 12 Mar 08 The Ark Narratives: 1 Samuel 4:1b-7:17
3 19 Mar 08 Israel Demands a King: 1 Samuel 8-12
4 26 Mar 08 The Decline of Saul: 1 Samuel 13-15
5 02 Apr 08 David – God’s Anointed: 1 Samuel 16-19
6 09 Apr 08 Saul’s Rejection of David: 1 Samuel 20:1-28:2
7 16 Apr 08 The Death of Saul: 1 Samuel 28:3-31:13
8 23 Apr 08 David Becomes King: II Samuel 1-6
9 30 Apr 08 The Davidic Covenant: II Samuel 7-10
10 07 May 08 David’s Moral Failure: II Samuel 11-14
11 14 May 08 Absalom’s Rebellion: II Samuel 15:1-19:8a
12 21 May 08 David Returns to Jerusalem: II Samuel 19:8b-22:51
12 28 May 08 Last Words, Final Actions: II Samuel 23-24
Historical Background• Samuel named as the primary author
– Samuel was the 13th (or 15th) judge of Israel– Nathan of Gad wrote about David’s life (1 Chron 29:29)– Abiathar, high priest, may have wrote later chapters
• Existed as one book until translated into Greek around 300-200 B.C.
• Written between 931 B.C. and 722 B.C. and covered the period from 1080-950 B.C. or 130 years
• Imperialistic void– Hittite and Egyptian empires had fallen more than a century
earlier
– Smaller kingdoms like the Ugarit had disintegrated as well
Historical Background• Transition period in Israel’s history
– Conclusion of a great famine in the land (see Ruth 1:1)– After the exodus, end of the period of the judges, and
beginning of the monarchy – Israel had disintegrated morally, spiritually, and
politically
• Chapter 13-15 Notes– Decline of Saul’s reign– Saul’s failure to wholeheartedly obey God– God raises another to replace Saul: David
Palestine in Palestine in Saul’s TimeSaul’s Time
Saul Challenges the Philistines (13:1-7a)
• Saul was 30 years old when he became king– Reigned for 42 years (until age 72)
• Saul creates a military presence– Standing army of 3000
• 2000 under his command at Michmash (north of Jerusalem)
• 1000 led by his son Jonathan at Gibeah
• Rest were sent home (13:2)
• Jonathan starts a war by attacking Philistine outpost– Geba, between Micmash and Gibeah– Saul took credit (13:3-4)– Philistine force of 3000 chariots with riders plus soldiers
• Saul’s men overcome by fear of Philistines (13:5-7)
PhilistinesIsrael
Saul Foolishly Presents Offerings (13:7b-15)• Saul makes sacrifices in the face of the Philistine
army– Again, Saul’s troops fled (13:6)– On the seventh day, Samuel had not arrived (13:7-8)– Saul sacrifices, despite Samuel’s directions (see 10:8)– Samuel rebukes Saul, Saul offers excuses (13:12-13)
• Samuel’s rebuke of Saul– Lineage of the kingdom would be given to another– Indications of David’s ascension – To one who was committed to obedience (13:13-14)
• Samuel leaves the town of Gilgal– Saul left with a shattered force of only 600 men (13:15)
I Samuel 13:16 to 14:52 In Brief• Saul and Jonathan attacked by Philistines at Geba
– Situation seemed dire, but not to Jonathan– Jonathan slips away to the Philistine camp with an armor
bearer
• Jonathan lures Philistine soldiers into a fight– With his armor bearer he kills 20 Philistines
• Philistines become panic stricken after an earthquake– Saul observes their confusion– Saul foolishly bounds his soldiers to fasting until he got
his revenge against the Philistines
• Despite Saul’s foolishness, Israel is granted victory
• Samuel reminds Saul of his anointing– By Samuel, with God’s authority (15:1)
• God punishes the Amalekites– Had attacked Israel after the Exodus (15:1-2)
– Saul was to totally destroy the Amalekites (15:3)• Nothing was to be spared: people, animals, possessions
– Saul musters his troops at Telaim, in southern Israel– Saul attacks from Havilah to Shur, south of Israel
• Saul fails to obey God’s commands– Does not kill Amalekite king Agag and choice livestock– Saul tries to rationalize his disobedience
Saul Fails to Obey (15:1-9)
NN
God Rejects Saul as King of Israel (15:10-23)• Saul’s failure to completely obey God
– Brings Samuel a troubling revelation– God was grieving over Saul’s anointing– Samuel prays to God for guidance
• Saul erects a monument for himself at Carmel– Honor his victory over the Amalekites– Saul credits himself with the victory– Saul tells Samuel, “I carried out God’s instructions”
• Samuel rebukes Saul – Saul blames others (15:15)– It was Saul who disobeyed (15:16-19)
• God rejects Samuel (15:23)
• Saul’s insincere repentance– Fear of what people thought weakens his leadership– Real motive for repentance, he feared losing earthly
support (15:24-25, 30)
• Because Saul rejected God, God rejects Saul– Samuel tears Saul’s robe – a metaphor (15:27-28)– Kingdom would be torn from him and given to another
• Saul reigns for 15 more years, but is rejected by God and repudiated by Samuel– Samuel kills Agag to highlight Saul’s disobedience
(15:32-33– Samuel returns to Ramah never to seek Saul again
Samuel Repudiates Saul’s Kingship (15:24-35)
Review• Review last week’s lesson, historical background,
and timeline for the books of I and II Samuel
• Review historical maps of Israel and the region
• Read chapter 13:1-15, Review 13:16-14:52, Read 15:1-35
• Learn how Saul challenges the Philistines
• Learn about Saul’s foolish offerings
• Examine the destructive effects of Saul’s partial obedience
• Desire to avoid blame-shifting and take full responsibility for our decisions
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