The Great Theme in 1 Samuel
When David confronts Saul after not taking his life, he says something quite interesting to the King.
1 Samuel 24:9–10 (ESV) And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’
You only pick up this theme in 1 Samuel as you study through the book. David's condemnation of Saul's actions here are not simply, "Why do you try to take my life?" But rather, "Why do you listen to the words of men...?" That is an interesting way to put it and yet it lines up well with what we have read of the contrast between David and Saul thus far. The true king will learn to listen to the voice of God first and foremost. The false king will listen far too much to those he is called to lead.
David has been learning this lesson since he began running from Saul. Instead of listening to his fearful men concerning the impending battle of Keilah in Chapter 23, he seeks God's voice and listens to Him. Instead of listening to the men of Keilah and trusting himself to them, he seeks God's voice and listens, escaping Saul's sword once again. Instead of listening to his men who suggest he kills Saul in this chapter, David spares his life.
Now contrast all those instances of David's determination to ignore the voices of his followers and listen closely to the Lord with the example of Saul. Saul is the anti-David. He repeatedly chooses to listen to the voices of people he is called to lead.
Remember Saul's first mistake - offering the priestly sacrifice because Samuel delayed in arriving before the battle - was committed for the very reason that he worried what the men would do! The text says:
1 Samuel 13:8–9 (ESV) He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering.
Saul's greatest problem was people's opinions. He lived and died by them. Instead of leading, he followed. His title was empty and his heart was detached from God's voice because it was consumed with people's voices.
The big theme of 1 Samuel is that God's true leaders take time to listen to Him. They do this by determining to lean in and get quiet. They get alone with the Lord and hear what He has to say BEFORE men come and advise.
Remember the first words of Samuel to the Lord?
1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV) And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
We should also remember that the story begins with a woman named Hannah who's prayer is HEARD by the Lord for a son named Samuel. The point: this is no one-way conversation with God. Hannah, Samuel and David talk to the Lord and He hears them. Eli and Saul represent men who will not lead because they listen far too much to those around them. Had they first listened to God, they would have lived long and prospered. Had they heard what He says, they would have avoided the steady stream of mistakes and sins leading to their downfall.
No wonder the Bible is God's WORD. It calls us to listen close, listen often and listen daily.
1 Samuel 24:9–10 (ESV) And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’
You only pick up this theme in 1 Samuel as you study through the book. David's condemnation of Saul's actions here are not simply, "Why do you try to take my life?" But rather, "Why do you listen to the words of men...?" That is an interesting way to put it and yet it lines up well with what we have read of the contrast between David and Saul thus far. The true king will learn to listen to the voice of God first and foremost. The false king will listen far too much to those he is called to lead.
David has been learning this lesson since he began running from Saul. Instead of listening to his fearful men concerning the impending battle of Keilah in Chapter 23, he seeks God's voice and listens to Him. Instead of listening to the men of Keilah and trusting himself to them, he seeks God's voice and listens, escaping Saul's sword once again. Instead of listening to his men who suggest he kills Saul in this chapter, David spares his life.
Now contrast all those instances of David's determination to ignore the voices of his followers and listen closely to the Lord with the example of Saul. Saul is the anti-David. He repeatedly chooses to listen to the voices of people he is called to lead.
Remember Saul's first mistake - offering the priestly sacrifice because Samuel delayed in arriving before the battle - was committed for the very reason that he worried what the men would do! The text says:
1 Samuel 13:8–9 (ESV) He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering.
The big theme of 1 Samuel is that God's true leaders take time to listen to Him. They do this by determining to lean in and get quiet. They get alone with the Lord and hear what He has to say BEFORE men come and advise.
Remember the first words of Samuel to the Lord?
1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV) And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
Will we follow the lead of Samuel and David? Because every day we face the same choice. I wish I could say that every decision I have made was at the direction of the Lord regardless of people's opinions. I have made many errors in this regard. But 1 Samuel is a road map, walking us toward a more intimate fellowship with the Lord so that we do not need to receive our affirmation from the crowds.
We should also remember that the story begins with a woman named Hannah who's prayer is HEARD by the Lord for a son named Samuel. The point: this is no one-way conversation with God. Hannah, Samuel and David talk to the Lord and He hears them. Eli and Saul represent men who will not lead because they listen far too much to those around them. Had they first listened to God, they would have lived long and prospered. Had they heard what He says, they would have avoided the steady stream of mistakes and sins leading to their downfall.
No wonder the Bible is God's WORD. It calls us to listen close, listen often and listen daily.
Comments
Post a Comment