Sessions in Samuel: What's in a name?

For more information about Abigail see attached link.

This week we will read about a fool and his money. The name Nabal actually means "fool" in the Arabic languages. Imagine being named a foolish person from birth. The sad part is he lived up to his name. He was greedy and a drunkard. His wife Abigail put up with a lot but when it came to defending the safety of her family, she moved quickly to appease the angered young warrior named David. She brought gifts and profuse apologies to David and asked for mercy. David was so impressed with Abigail, her grace and intelligence, he didn't dare follow through on his promise to kill the tribe of Nabal and show the world what happens to an ungrateful fool who would not return kindness for kindness. Read I Samuel chapter 25.
 
 It's an easy read and a really beautiful story...exciting as any Hollywood saga about love and war. Two things to look for--- 1. how greed and drunkeness, insensitivity and foolishness leads to loss of family and life. 2. how beauty, wisdom, and loyality to one's family leads to good outcomes for one young woman.      


Here are some questions to think about:


1. If you could assign yourself a name based on your character, what would it be?

2. If your family or close friends were asked to choose a name for you would the names be similar to the one you chose?

3. When a specific need arises, like Abigail, do you act quickly? Can you think of some examples?

4. When you see a wrong that needs righting, what kind of response do you usually give? What leads to your decisions about interceding for a wrong at work, in the community, at home?

5. When cross words or a disagreement come between you and a friend or family member, do you step forward to make repair or do you sit back and wait for the other person to make the first  move?


We are promised that God's word will feed us and nourish us, but last week's lesson on Hacking Agag was a hard lesson to digest. I did want to remind you all of the promises God gives about war and bloodshed--Isaiah prophesied the meaning of the Messiah's coming. War would end and be replaced with the love and good counsel of the Prince of Peace. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

 Isaiah 9:5-7. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." When Jesus came several hundred years later, he said John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." The covenant made between God and his people as a result of Christ’s sacrifice shows the difference between the Old Testament and the New. The New Covenant is not about military victory, as the Israelites believed. It is about redemption provided by grace and mercy. This is why Christ did not come as military leader, but instead a carpenter who healed, comforted, and taught lessons of peace. He set the example for all those who follow Him. We know that the murder of Abel required a blood sacrifice to cover the sin. (Genesis 4:10; Hebrews 9:22 ) Without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness. This is why the animals were sacrificed. Shedding the blood of the enemy was a part of this militaristic society and before Christ who came to end the requirements for blood sacrifice. Hebrews 12:23-24. Instead of war, we make peace with others. Hebrews 12:14-15. This brings us back to the new command by Jesus John 13:34. Nowhere in the gospel does Jesus teach others to declare war on an enemy. Yes, we do defend the defenseless, we protect ourselves when attached, but jihad is never permitted. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the widows and the orphan.

The Rise and Fall of a Leader

Week 5: A Tale of War and Woe.

The Amalekites (Deu 25: 16-18)  were particularly brutal and pagan in their wars and culture. Torture and public humiliation were a normal acts of war. God had commanded that the Amalekites be wiped out, destroyed form the planet (Deu 25:17-).

The message in this chapter is that Saul was disobedient. As a result of this, God was very displeased. Rather than the sacrifice of animals, God insisted on obedience. According to some Jewish historians, the original King Agag was the descendant of Esau. The bitter root planted in Esau’s heart against his brother Jacob was inherited by all his sons and was passed down to all generations from this particular lineage of people. This is a difficult passage to interpret but the scripture says in 1^st Samuel 15: 2--- this is what the Lord tells you must do. You must attack and kill the enemy, the Amalekite. You must kill all the men, women, and children and their livestock. Then we read that Saul deliberately disobeyed. He saved the wicked King Agag and the best of the livestock. Saul made no excuse for saving Agag’s life as an act of mercy. He saved Agag as his personal trophy in winning the war. He didn’t save the livestock to leave food for survivors. He stole the livestock for himself. His only redeeming act was to spare the Kenites (1^st Sam 15:6). “Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them, for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt”.

A lesson from the New Testament.

A lesson at the well.

These were savage times and wars often raged without mercy toward the people involved. This war was no different. God preserved this story in his Bible to point out how seriously He considers obedience (1^st Sam 15:1-11). It also points to the wonder and glory of Christ’s work on the cross. Isaiah prophesied the meaning of the Messiah's coming. War would end and be replaced with the love and good counsel of the Prince of Peace. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. Isaiah 9:5-7. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” When Jesus came several hundred years later, he said John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” The covenant made between God and his people as a result of Christ’s sacrifice shows the difference between the Old Testament and the New. The New Covenant is not about military victory, as the Israelites believed. It is about redemption provided by grace and  mercy. This is why Christ did not come as military leader, but instead a carpenter who healed, comforted, and taught lessons of peace. The final lesson was His willingness to forgive those who lied about Him and even allowed his enemies to execute Him as a criminal. Forgiveness and grace are not easy for us and wasn't easy for Jesus. He set the example for all those who follow Him.

Saul's Disobedience and Rebellion

Further in the chapter we read how King Saul had become so foolish, he even built an altar to give honor to himself (1^st Sam 15:12.)--- the ultimate in vanity. Saul was so blind to his own wayward disobedience he didn’t stop to think that Samuel must know how Saul failed to obey God’s instructions. Saul said, “The Lord bless you, I have carried out the Lord’s command.” It is here we read one of the most sarcastic lines in the Bible.

Samuel responded, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” Saul’s sins were growing interest and compounded daily.

He now begins to justify himself by saying he brought the best of the plunder as a sacrifice to God. Once again, Samuel calls Saul down and points out he is a disobedient liar. Saul argues that he DID obey and did what he was supposed to do. It is amazing how he is so sure of his innocence he begins to believe his own lie. Caught in his own lie and self-illusions, Saul realizes he must try to wiggle out and beg for mercy. He said, “I have sinned; I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions.  I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. …now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord.”  At this point in the deteriorating situation, Saul begins to blame other people around him. This was one of his weaker character flaws---he worried more about what men would think of him than what the Lord would think of him.

The Metaphor of the Torn Robe

Samuel refused to go back with Saul for any kind of worship service. As an omen of the break in the relationship, Saul grabbed Samuel’s robe and the fabric tore in his grip. This Samuel said, “today the Lord has torn the kingdom from your rule. " But Saul was persistent--- begging Samuel to return with him to worship the Lord. Samuel relented and agreed to go to Gilgal for a worship ceremony.  Then Samuel ordered that Agag be brought to Gilgal. Agag was sure the “bitterness of death had passed.” But his confidence was in his own cunning. Samuel killed Agag with a sword. “Just as you made women childless, so I will make your mother childless” and Agag, the murderer, was slain.

Following this public act of justice Samuel left for Ramah and Saul left for the palace. King  Saul never saw Samuel again and his leadership began to seriously deteriorate from that time on.

Week Four: There goes the Judge: Here comes the King --

Week Four: There goes the Judge: Here comes the King --

I Samuel 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 link to Bible

"What does it take to make a good leader? What kind of leadership inspires others to follow? Whether they are particularly intelligent, charismatic, or visionary, one essential characteristic of true leaders is that they are willing to lead from the front rather than push from the rear. King Saul's leadership record, like his mental health, was spotty---but for one shining moment, as related in 1 Samuel 11, he became exactly the leader he was called to be." (Cartledge, 2010)

                                                          Samuel Anoints Saul.

Saul started and ended poorly. He was an impressive young man who stood a head taller than all the other men around him. (1 Sam 9:2). Yet, when first called to serve as Israel's new king, he didn’t demonstrate very strong leadership characteristics. He was on an errand to find his donkeys and somehow even this proved to be too big a task for him. (1 Sam 9:4-9). First, he sought the advice of his servant. Later, he sought guidance from a seer or prophet. The seer turned out to be the prophet Samuel. With this first meeting, God opened Samuel’s eyes to see Saul as the first king of Israel. When Samuel planned to announce Saul as king, he couldn't even be found until they discovered him hiding in the baggage (1 Sam 10:21-23). Samuel announces to Saul that God’s Spirit would come upon him. He would be a changed person (1 Sam 10:6) and whatever he set his hand to do, God would be with him. This was a wonderful promise made to Saul. God changed Saul’s heart (1 Sam 10:9) and he was anointed by Samuel and chosen to be king. His heart was changed and he became a leader, but like all politics, not everyone was with him. (1 Sam 10:27).

Most of Saul’s life he was plagued by jealousy and insecurity. His deep-seated insecurity is one reason he became so obsessed with young David, the friend of his own son Jonathan. He feared David would steal his throne. He found himself with so little faith in God's protection and guidance, that he went to a witch seeking guidance and counseling. He had little discernment when it came to honoring the prophets. By taking Samuel's rightful role of intervening with prayer and sacrifice, he lost a good friend in Samuel, but worse, lost favor with Yahweh (1 Sam 13:7-9).

Saul is a good example in how a good man can become so insecure and so filled with self centered pride that he loses even the strengths he had possessed with from his youth.

But today's story is about Saul's one shining moment. In 1st Samuel, chapter 11, we can learn about some attributes of a spirit filled leader who does save the lives of many in his country. Saul was enraged when he heard the people wailing over the prospect of their enemies attacking and conquering them (1 Sam 11:6). He showed unusual cunning and military strength as he surrounded the enemy on three sides. Following his wise and courageous victory over the pagan nations who would have gouged out the eye of every Israelite man, Saul was crowned king. The people applauded him and brought "offerings of well-being" for the celebration. In fact, the troublemakers (1 Sam 10:27) who had opposed Saul earlier were to be put to death, but this was his finest hour and he showed grace as well as courage, the    

kind of leadership that engenders both admiration and loyalty. He said., "no one will be put to death this day, for today the Lord has brought deliverance to Israel." (1 Sam 11:13). It is sad that Saul could not maintain this level of integrity and strength of character, for in the end, he fell on his own sword to avoid the torture of his enemies. But for one shining moment he did excel as a spirit-filled leader.

For Reflection

Even though Saul was deeply involved in rescuing the people of Jabesh-gilead, he gave credit for the victory to God. Are you willing to give your time, efforts, or resources to help others, even if you don't get credit for it? Can you name any recent examples?