Week 1 - Day 2 - An Arrogant King

Guys, I have to say that I loved today's study...

I am a history buff...so I love learning new historical facts in the Bible. I think that is why I love the Old Testament so much.

You know, when I find myself reading about the people in the Bible, I always catch myself being a bit judgmental in the beginning. Isn't it so easy to judge Saul and wonder where in the world his audacity comes from? Yet, how many of us are arrogant and like to assume what God's "true" will is for our lives. When I approach these Bible studies, I like to force myself to stand back and review my own actions so I am not so judgmental. Boy, when I do that, it really steps on my toes!!!

Today's Treasure

"But Samuel replied: 'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'"

(1 Sam. 15:22)

In today's study, we read 1 Samuel 15: 1 - 35

What I believe the theme for this chapter is - God wants us to obey him completely - without assuming our own interpretations of His will

The most shocking verse in the chapter to me is:

Verse 23

For rebellion is as the sinof witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected thee from being king.

I don't know about you, but I can tell you that I have rebelled, and I have been very stubborn at times to what I believed God wanted me to do!!! Ouch!!! It really makes me realize how deeply I hurt my Lord.

Which of the words best describes God's response to Saul's actions? I believe that God was full of grief in seeing that Saul did not obey him. He was saddened that he had to regret making him king...

According to verse 11, how did Samuel respond to Saul's disobedience?

He cried unto the Lord all night

When Samuel went to meet Saul, he had gone to Carmel to set up a monument in his own honor. What insight can you gain into Saul's heart based on his trip to Carmel?

Hello, can we say arrogant? He was seeking his own glory, not the glory of our Almighty God

When Samuel confronted Saul what reason did Saul give for sparing the livestock (vs. 15)

The best livestock was spared to offer them as sacrifices to God

This screams that Saul's attitude was Partial obedience is still obedience

To me, verse 22 means:

God sees our commitment and love for him through our obedience

Now, I don't know about you...but I loved the next section. When I first read 1 - 35, I kept thinking, 'Why would God destroy innocent little children'. Then, after reading Deuteronomy, I realized that it was spoken long in advance. God was protecting His people. Remember when we discussed the Lord confronting Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus. "Saul why are you persecuting me?" In other words, you mess with mine, you mess with me!!! God proves this once more!!! He is constant, and I love Him for that!!!

Read Deuteronomy 25: 17 - 19

They met the Israelites on their way out of Egypt and destroyed the ones behind, even the feeble.

They had no fear of God. The Israelites would eventually blot out the remembrance of Amalek

The Israelites must not forget it

Jonah 3:10 andd 4: 1-2

The people had turned from their evil and God was merciful

Ezekiel 33:11

He doesn't find pleasure in the death of the wicked - please turn. He wants us to repent and turn to Him

"little in your own eyes"

I think Saul meant self-concious and low self-esteem

Of the four answers, which one describes a Christ-honoring person

humble

A time in my life when God humbled me happened almost three years ago. I was still flying high on the idea that we were young and invincible when I watched (with my own eyes) as two of our dearest friends were struck down by a drunk driver. My family was following them to the beach. Scott and Tina were ahead of us with their two small children. A drunk driver changed their family forever that day. Scott was taken to Heaven and Tina is in a nursing home near her parents. Her parents are raising their children. I planned that beach trip, and I invited them to go. I was humbled by the love her parents showered me with in spite of this fact. They embraced me and have taken me in as one of their own.

What are a few ways you could keep your heart humble before God?

Remembering how small I am in His "big picture"

Can you think of an example of disobedience in God's name

Boy, this is hard to admit. Yet, I have to be honest in order to be honest with God. There have been times when we have struggled financially. I have justified not tithing because God didn't want us to "suffer" What about that for disobedience? I am ashamed to admit it, but He knows

This week be courageous enough to record on the lines below any instances when you are tempted to blame someone else for your actions?

My mother-in-law passed away last May (of cancer). My husband is an only child, and we were very close to her. I loved her as much so very much. I was so hurt when she died, and I was very angry with some of the ways that my father-in-law handled things. Then, I blamed him for all the anger that I had. This week I had to kneel before him and ask for his forgiveness.

What did you learn about Samuel's heart in verse 11 and 35?

He had a tender heart - even when he was hurt by someone. He was merciful and loving but put obey God ahead of everything else.

Wow!!! Talk about "in your face". I have to say that I am ashamed of how I had to answer several of these questions, but God had forgiven me of them. I pray that you were "rocked" by today's lesson and it excited you about the rest of our journey!!!

I love you all so very much

Tiffany