Bible Verse Synopsis 5-26-25
1st Samuel 11:
Nahash of the Ammonites came up and surrounded the city of Jabesh-gilead. The men of the city were afraid and offered a covenant with Nahash. The covenant is never to be made with anyone but God and His Son. Keep the covenant sacred and holy or we continue to be doomed in our flesh. Nahash demanded that he disable the ability of the men to fight back against him in this covenant. He must have held the upper hand mightily against this city for them to be considering such a punishment. Then the Elders sent messengers to all the coasts of Israel. Verse 3 says - “and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to you.” Do you see this quote???? “No man to save them”. They look again to the flesh to be saved when the savior is above. We all fall prey to this temptation of using man to solve man’s problems when we should turn to God for all of our issues. Let the Israelites continue to be our example of what not to do!
The message eventually gets to Saul where he was laboring in the fields. Verse 6 says “And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.” How mad would you be if you heard this news of your people and the enemy? For God to direct Saul’s anger to purpose, allows God to work within Saul and choose the righteous path. God has not given up on Saul. Nor will He give up on you. Are you listening for Him??
Saul then sent hewed oxen yokes out to the people saying, “Whosoever comes not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen.” - Verse 7. Israel was struck by the fear of God and came to the call. This is symbolism used to demonstrate how faithful God needs us to be. If God abandons us, our destiny is doomed to be an oxen with a broken yoke. Saul gathers the people and they go to Jabesh-gilead. As the army moves, the Elders stall for time. Once the army and Saul arrive, they slew the Ammonites and drove them apart in every direction. Verse 11 - “and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.” This is an example of God’s will being done. When we work in His name and with Him behind us. Anything can be accomplished. Be united with our brothers and sisters in Christ. What is holding you back?
The leadership shown here by Saul has now fully convinced the people that he is to be their king and they are greatly opposed to all that oppose him. As much so that they call for the death of those opposing their king. Verse 13 says “And Saul said, There shall be not a man be put to death this day: for to day the Lord has wrought salvation in Israel.” Read that line again. Saul is being righteous. He is having mercy. This is God in His heart winning the battle. God is at work in all of us as well. How is he working inside you?
Israel after their victory takes Saul to Gilgal and crowns him king. They rejoice greatly and do things in the manner the Lord would have them, with Him at the center. Verse 15 tells us they did these things with God. How appropriate! The only question we have to ask of Saul now, is his heart truly changed or will he succumb to his weakness again? That is the same question we must ask ourselves.