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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50 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 <strong>Samuel</strong> 2007 Editionafraid, and some even fled (cf. Judg. 6:2). The enemy must have been strong to threatenIsrael's eastern territory since Philistia was Israel's neighbor to the west."Since 'Hebrew' was commonly used by non-Israelites as a synonym for'Israelite' (cf. 4:5-10), it is understandable that the two terms shouldalternate throughout the narratives <strong>of</strong> the Philistine wars in chapters 13—14." 151Fearful lest the mass desertion <strong>of</strong> his soldiers continue, Saul decided to slay the sacrificialanimals before engaging the enemy and to attack rather than to wait for <strong>Samuel</strong> to comeand <strong>of</strong>fer the sacrifices. This was a violation <strong>of</strong> the prophet's orders (10:8). 152 Saul couldhave asked for the Lord's help in prayer, <strong>of</strong> course, as Hannah did. Evidently ritual wasvery important to him, so he <strong>of</strong>fered the sacrifice and disobeyed <strong>Samuel</strong>. His choicesuggests that he had a rather superficial relationship with Yahweh. Contrast Gideon whoalso faced overwhelming odds fearfully yet trusted and obeyed Yahweh nonetheless(Judg. 6).Saul's punishment may appear excessively severe at first. However the king <strong>of</strong> Israel wasthe Lord's lieutenant. Any disobedience to his Commander-in-Chief was an act <strong>of</strong>insubordination that threatened the whole administrative organization <strong>of</strong> God's kingdomon earth. Saul failed to perceive his place and responsibility under God. 153 He assumedmore authority than was his. For this reason God would not establish a dynasty for him(cf. 24:21). Had he obeyed on this occasion God would have placed Saul's descendantson his throne for at least one generation if not more (v. 13; cf. 1 Kings 11:38). PerhapsSaul's descendants would have reigned in a parallel kingdom with the king from Judah. 154Now Saul's son would not succeed him. Eventually God would have raised up a kingfrom the tribe <strong>of</strong> Judah even if Saul had followed the Lord faithfully (Gen. 49:10). Thatking probably would have been David.<strong>Samuel</strong>'s departure from the battlefield (v. 15) was symbolic <strong>of</strong> the breach that nowopened up between <strong>Samuel</strong> and Saul. Saul's presumptuous plan also failed to bring hisdeparting soldiers back to him.2. Saul's struggle against the Philistines 13:16—14:23The results <strong>of</strong> Saul's disobedience 13:16-23The writer explained the military disaster that resulted from Saul's disobedience in verses16-18. Saul's army dwindled and the enemy continued to move around his capital city,Gibeah, freely.151 Youngblood, p. 654.152 Contrast David's submission to Nathan the prophet (2 Sam. 12:1-15) with Saul's rebellion against<strong>Samuel</strong> the prophet.153 Contrast King Hezekiah's appropriate behavior in a similar situation in 2 Chronicles 29:25.154 J. Dwight Pentecost, Thy Kingdom Come, p. 139; Youngblood, p. 657.