Thursday

25 April

1 Sam 10-12; Ps 50; Acts 7

1 Samuel 10:  Was Saul a willing candidate to be king?

1 Samuel 11: What happened between the Ammonites and the Israelites at Jabesh-Gilead  What would be your character study of Saul at this point?

1 Samuel 12: What is Samuel’s farewell speech all about?  Do you see a pattern here?

Acts 7: What similarities do you see between Stephen’s death and Jesus’ death?

Journal Prompt: How can we be like the Israelites and seek an earthly king rather than relying on our heavenly King of Kings?

Answers:

1 Samuel 10:  Saul didn’t really seem to be very willing.  He didn’t share with his uncle that he had been anointed by Samuel. When they called him, rather than come and accept the position, they had to go and find him – he was hiding in the luggage.

1 Samuel 11: Nahash, the Ammonite was going to conquer the Israelites who lived in Jabesh-Gilead who in turn contacted Samuel and Saul advising them of what was likely to take place.  Saul was able to muster the army (by threatening them) and defeated the Ammonites.

Saul was reluctant to be crowned king, but he seemed to take on the responsibility with conviction and courage.  It’s clear that God anointed him with the Holy Spirit to empower him.

1 Samuel 12: Samuel addresses the Israelites – first he asks them to testify to the fact that he was honest before God and the people.  Then he reminded them of the ways the Israelites had turned their back on God. Then he preached that if they would turn from their sin and follow God and serve Him, God would provide for them. This speech follows a very similar pattern of the farewell speeches of Moses, Joshua and Stephen (in the NT – which we also read today).

Acts 7: Stephen’s death was similar to Jesus’ death in at least these three ways:  1)He was focused on the Lord (v. 57and also 6:5,8,10,15) 2)He commited his spirit to God and 3)He asked God to forgive the sins of his murderers.