1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 41"It [this cry] represents now, as it did then, the enthusiastic hopes of thecitizenry that their monarch may remain hale and hearty in order to bringtheir fondest dreams to fruition." 126The ancient tell (archaeological mound) of Gibeah (v. 26) now stands three miles north ofthe old city of Jerusalem, the buildings of which are clearly visible from the site. It is nowa northern "suburb" of Jerusalem. God further blessed Saul by inclining the hearts ofvaliant men in Israel to support him. There were some, however, who did not supporthim. They were evidently looking on Saul's natural abilities as essential to Israel's successand were forgetting that Yahweh was the real source of her hope (v. 27; cf. Judg. 6:15-16). Saul was a wise enough man not to demand acceptance by every individual in Israel(cf. Prov. 14:29; Rom. 12:19; James 1:19-20). The reason he failed later was not becausehe lacked wisdom.Throughout these verses Saul behaved in an exemplary fashion. However notice that thewriter made no reference to his regard for God or God's Word. To all appearances Saulwas very capable of serving as Israel's king. This is what the people wanted, a mansimilar to themselves to lead them. That is exactly what God gave them.". . . it remains very clear that God did not choose this king for Himself,but rather for the people. In other words, though God actually appointedSaul, Saul did not in the final analysis represent God's choice, but thepeople's choice." 127Yet God gave them a man with great personal strengths: wisdom, humility, sensitivity,physical attractiveness, and wealth. His gift of Saul was a good gift, as are all God's giftsto His people (Luke 11:9-13). God did not give Israel a time bomb just waiting to go off.Saul failed because of the choices he made, not because he lacked the qualities necessaryto succeed.4. Saul's effective leadership in battle 11:1-11Israel's king not only needed to be an admirable individual in his personal conduct, but healso needed to be an effective military commander. The writer pointed out Saul's abilitiesin this area in this chapter. The nation consequently united behind him because of hissuccess. This was the third divine indication that God had chosen Saul to lead Israelfollowing his private anointing and his public choice by lot.The Ammonite siege of Jabesh-gilead 11:1-5The Ammonites were Israel's enemies to the east. They were descendants of Lot whomJephthah had defeated earlier (Judg. 11:12-33). Nahash evidently sought revenge for126 Youngblood, p. 631.127 G. Coleman Luck, "The First Glimpse of the First King of Israel," Bibliotheca Sacra 123:489 (January-March 1966):51.