1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
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2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 <strong>Samuel</strong> 41"It [this cry] represents now, as it did then, the enthusiastic hopes <strong>of</strong> thecitizenry that their monarch may remain hale and hearty in order to bringtheir fondest dreams to fruition." 126The ancient tell (archaeological mound) <strong>of</strong> Gibeah (v. 26) now stands three miles north <strong>of</strong>the old city <strong>of</strong> Jerusalem, the buildings <strong>of</strong> which are clearly visible from the site. It is nowa northern "suburb" <strong>of</strong> Jerusalem. God further blessed Saul by inclining the hearts <strong>of</strong>valiant 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong>f.Saul failed because <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> Jabesh-gilead 11:1-5The Ammonites were Israel's enemies to the east. They were descendants <strong>of</strong> Lot whomJephthah had defeated earlier (Judg. 11:12-33). Nahash evidently sought revenge for126 Youngblood, p. 631.127 G. Coleman Luck, "The First Glimpse <strong>of</strong> the First King <strong>of</strong> Israel," Bibliotheca Sacra 123:489 (January-March 1966):51.