1 Samuel 11:1-15 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 1 Samuel 11:1-15. As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
1 Samuel 11:1-5 (NIV)
1 Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.”
2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.”
3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.”
4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud.
5 Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, “What is wrong with the people? Why are they weeping?” Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said.
On verses 1-5: Here we see the first major challenge Saul would face as king: the Ammonites led by King Nahash were long-time enemies of Israel and lay siege on the Israelite town of Jabesh Gilead. Saul, with the help of the Holy Spirit, would deal with this challenge incredibly well.
What can we learn from this? Challenges can be blessings in disguise. Challenges are opportunities for God and His people to rise to the occasion.
1 Samuel 11:6-8 (NIV)
6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger.
7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they turned out as one man.
8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
On verses 6-8: Saul was naturally a fearful, insecure person. But when the Holy Spirit came upon him in power (v6), Saul went from being fearful to fearless, rallying 330,000 men to battle in the process (v8). That’s the first difference we see the Holy Spirit making in us: the Holy Spirit can give us courage that we didn’t have before.
1 Samuel 11:9-11 (NIV)
9 They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be delivered.'” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated.
10 They said to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever seems good to you.”
11 The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
On verses 9-11: Historically, Saul was a donkey-chaser, not a military strategist. But with the Holy Spirit’s help, Saul wisely devised a sophisticated plan to conquer the Ammonites. That’s the second difference the Holy Spirit makes: the Holy Spirit gives us uncommon wisdom to fight our battles.
1 Samuel 11:12-15 (NIV)
12 The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring these men to us and we will put them to death.”
13 But Saul said, “No one shall be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel.”
14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there reaffirm the kingship.”
15 So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.
On verses 12-15: After Saul had led Israel to a great victory, the people wanted to put Saul’s critics to death, but Saul showed them mercy. That’s the third difference we see the Holy Spirit making here: the Holy Spirit empowers us to show uncommon grace and forgiveness to those who hurt us (v12-15).
With the help of the Holy Spirit, may you live today with uncommon courage, wisdom and grace!
Thank You Holy Spirit for the difference You make in my life. Please fill me today with courage, wisdom and the ability to show grace and forgiveness to others. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
