Israel Wants a King
The Israelites wanted this type of leader instead of judges
1 Samuel 8:5
King
Saul took care of these animals
1 Samuel 9:2
Donkeys - ok children we know what the scriptures says....
David watched over these animals while his brothers met with Samuel
1 Samuel 16:11
Sheep - Any symbolism here...? He was doing what he was supposed to do (obeying) when Samuel came to his family to choose a king.
Saul became impatient and offered a sacrifice instead of waiting for this prophet to arrive
Samuel
The Lord looketh upon this when he sees a man, not the outward appearance
The heart
This is Final Jeopardy. You may wager up to the full amount of your winnings. You will have a little time to write your answers down.
As you think about the stories of Samuel, Saul, and David, connect each character with one of the following principles
- humility
- obedience
- looking upon the heart?
For each person:
1. Identify the principle that best fits his story
2. Briefly explain how that principle is illustrated in his life
3. Share one lesson we can learn from his example
Samuel - Looking on the Heart: He initially thought it would be Eliab as the king based on his appearance but the Lord taught him to look upon the heart.
Saul - Humility: Began as a humble man, but then became more concerned about his reputation and resources. He lost the kingdom
David - Obedience: David was tending sheep where he was supposed to be when Samuel came to visit his family and choose a king.
Samuel warned that a king would take these young men for his army
1 Samuel 8:11
Their sons. He is trying to warn them of past evil Kings
Saul stood out among the people because of this physical trait
1 Samuel 9:2
He was tall - But remember, David was small...
David fell here in the birth order among Jesse's sons (oldest, youngest, middle...?)
1 Samuel 16:11
Youngest - He was the 8th
1 Samuel 16:10
The Lord commanded Saul to smite the Amalekites and all their animals. What did he do instead?
1 Samuel 15:9
He smote the bad animals but kept the best animals for himself
When the Lord called Saul, he gave him another one of these
1 Samuel 10:9
Another heart
Israel wanted to be like these people around them
1 Samuel 8: 5, 20
Other nations - They wanted to be like everyone else...The Lord gives them permission to have a king
DISCUSSION QUESTION: WHY DO WE WANT TO BE LIKE THOSE AROUND US INSTEAD OF DOING THE THINGS GOD HAS ASKED US TO DO?
The Lord revealed unto this person that Saul should be the king
1 Samuel 9:17
Samuel
True or false: the spirit of the Lord came upon David right when Samuel anointed him with oil?
1 Samuel 16:13
True
BONUS DISCUSSION QUESTION: WHY DOES THE LORD ANNOINT (SET APART) PEOPLE TO DO HIS WORK?
Saul spared this Amalekite king when he should have destroyed him
1 Samuel 15:8
Agag
The Lord told Samuel not to focus on this when choosing a king.
1 Samuel 16:7
Outward Appearance
BONUS DISCUSSION QUESTION: CAN YOU THINK OF ANY EXAMPLES WHERE A PERSON'S OUTWARD APPEARANCE DID NOT REPRESENT THEIR ABILITY OR WHAT WAS IN THEIR HEART?
According to 1 Samuel 8:7, Israel rejected this king
Jesus Christ/The Lord - They are trying to trust man more than God
Samuel used this symbol when setting Saul apart as king
1 Samuel 10:1
Oil
BONUS: WHAT DOES THE OIL REPRESENT?
David played this musical instrument
1 Samuel 16:23
The harp
Samuel asked Saul this piercing question: "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in _____________?"
1 Samuel 15:22
Obeying the voice of the Lord
According to Saul's experience, partial obedience is God's commandments is actually this
1 Samuel 15:17
Disobedience - If your heart is in the commandment, you will obey it to its fullest and not look for loopholes
What warning did the Lord give about how they would feel if they chose an earthly king?
1 Samuel 8:18
They would cry.
DISCUSSION QUESTION: WHY DO WE NOT PUT OUR FULL TRUST IN MAN OR ORGANIZATIONS, BUT IN GOD ABOVE ALL?
In 1 Samuel 15:24, Saul feared the voice of who?
DISCUSSION QUESTION: WHY IS THIS THE CASE SO OFTEN? ANY EXPERIENCES?
David and his family were from this city
1 Samuel 16:4
Bethlehem - Any significance here?
Because Saul continued to reject the work of the Lord, The Lord took this from him
The kingdom/being king
BONUS DISCUSSION QUESTION: WHY IS IT BETTER TO OBEY THAN TO SACRIFICE?
Which son of Jesse initially impressed Samuel?
Eliab
BONUS DISCUSSION: HAS ANYONE EVER HAD AN INITIAL THOUGHT ABOUT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING, ONLY TO HAVE THE LORD CHANGE YOUR MIND WHEN YOU ASK ABOUT IT?