WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.839 Ah, well, good evening, friends. Good to see you tonight. We are looking at 1 Samuel, 00:00:09.500 --> 00:00:15.679 the book of 1 Samuel, chapters 9 and 10. That's page 231 in the Pew Bible, if you want to turn 00:00:15.679 --> 00:00:23.699 there. 1 Samuel 9 and 10. Both chapters, the whole way through. We're going to do it tonight. 00:00:23.699 --> 00:00:30.719 It's a big chunk of Bible we're looking at this evening. These two chapters tell the story 00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:35.259 of how Israel got its first king, King Saul. 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:43.000 Let me just say a brief prayer for us before we jump in. God, we pray that you would indeed open 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:48.859 our eyes and our hearts and our wills and our affections to hear and to receive what you're 00:00:48.859 --> 00:00:53.299 saying to us tonight. Lord, we ask this for Christ's sake. Amen. 00:00:53.700 --> 00:01:01.460 So over the next few weeks, we're actually going to be following the story of Saul as we work our 00:01:01.460 --> 00:01:06.760 way through 1 Samuel. We're going to look at Saul's rise to the kingship in chapters 9 through 11, 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:12.400 and then in chapter 12 as sort of Samuel's farewell. And then in verses 13, 14, and 15 are sort of 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:19.460 Saul's downfall. So we're going to look at his rise and fall over the coming weeks. But tonight, 00:01:19.459 --> 00:01:24.519 in these two chapters, we're focusing on Saul's beginning. Where did he start? In chapter 8, 00:01:24.579 --> 00:01:31.819 remember, that we looked at a couple weeks ago, the people demanded a king. And so here he is. In 00:01:31.819 --> 00:01:38.079 chapter 9, Saul is introduced. Then in the beginning of chapter 10, as we'll see, Saul's privately anointed 00:01:38.079 --> 00:01:43.119 to be king by the prophet Samuel. And then at the end of chapter 10, that choice is made public. 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:49.680 The Lord makes known his choice of Saul before the whole nation. That's basically the flow of these 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:53.560 two chapters. Now, obviously, there's lots that we could learn here, and we won't get to all of it 00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:59.380 tonight. So tonight, I want us to just focus on three lessons in particular that we see in these 00:01:59.380 --> 00:02:05.080 two chapters. So three lessons. The first that we see in the opening verses is a lesson in God's 00:02:05.080 --> 00:02:09.159 providence. So let's pick up the story in chapter 9, verse 1. 00:02:09.159 --> 00:02:15.780 There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of 00:02:15.780 --> 00:02:23.079 Bechoreth, the son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. And he had a son whose name was Saul, 00:02:23.379 --> 00:02:28.439 a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:34.780 From his shoulders upwards, he was taller than any of the people. Now, the donkeys of Kish, 00:02:34.780 --> 00:02:40.280 Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul, his son, take one of the young men with you and arise, 00:02:40.740 --> 00:02:46.180 go and look for the donkeys. And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the 00:02:46.180 --> 00:02:51.159 land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shalim, but they 00:02:51.159 --> 00:02:57.400 were not there. Then they passed through the land of Benjamin, but did not find them. When they came to 00:02:57.400 --> 00:03:02.580 the land of Zuf, Saul said to his servant who was with him, come, let's go back, lest my father cease to 00:03:02.580 --> 00:03:07.620 care about the donkeys and become anxious about us. But the servant said to him, behold, there's a man 00:03:07.620 --> 00:03:13.920 of God in this city and he has a man who is held in honor. All that he says comes true. Now, so now 00:03:13.920 --> 00:03:20.200 let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go. And Saul said to his servant, but if we 00:03:20.200 --> 00:03:24.240 go, what can we bring the man for the bread in our sacks is gone and there's no present to bring the 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:31.020 man of God. What do we have? The servant answered Saul again, here, I have with me a quarter of a shekel 00:03:31.020 --> 00:03:37.060 of silver and I will give it to the man of God to tell us our way. Formerly in Israel, when a man 00:03:37.060 --> 00:03:42.439 went to inquire of God, he said, come, let us go to the seer for today's prophet was formerly called 00:03:42.439 --> 00:03:49.540 a seer. And Saul said to his servant, well said, come, let us go. So they went to the city where the 00:03:49.540 --> 00:03:55.140 man of God was. As they went up the hill to the city, they met young women coming out to draw water 00:03:55.139 --> 00:04:01.399 and said to them, is the seer here? They answered, he is behold, he's just ahead of you. Hurry. He has 00:04:01.399 --> 00:04:06.000 come just now to the city because the people have a sacrifice today in the high place. As soon as you 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:10.459 enter the city, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat for the people will not 00:04:10.459 --> 00:04:16.319 eat till he comes since he must bless the sacrifice. Afterward, those who are invited will eat. Now go up 00:04:16.319 --> 00:04:20.159 for you will meet him immediately. So they went up to the city as they were entering the city. 00:04:20.160 --> 00:04:27.840 They saw Samuel coming out toward them on his way up to the high place. Now the day before Saul came, 00:04:28.460 --> 00:04:32.480 the Lord had revealed to Samuel tomorrow about this time, I will send you a man from the land of 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:37.560 Benjamin and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people, Israel. He shall save my people from the 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:42.379 land, from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people because their cry has come to me. 00:04:43.200 --> 00:04:47.780 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, here's the man of whom I spoke to you. 00:04:47.779 --> 00:04:51.939 He it is who shall restrain or govern my people. 00:04:53.019 --> 00:04:57.479 Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, tell me, where is the house of the seer? 00:04:58.519 --> 00:05:00.799 Samuel answered Saul, I am a seer. 00:05:01.639 --> 00:05:05.139 Go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me. 00:05:05.459 --> 00:05:08.419 And in the morning I will let you go and tell you all that is on your mind. 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:12.199 As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:17.860 for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? 00:05:18.779 --> 00:05:22.339 Is it not for you and for all your father's house? 00:05:24.019 --> 00:05:29.680 Saul answered, am I not a Benjaminite from the least of the tribes of Israel? 00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:34.439 And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? 00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:34.560 Amen. 00:05:35.779 --> 00:05:38.779 Why then have you spoken to me in this way? 00:05:42.620 --> 00:05:43.519 Let's pause there. 00:05:45.620 --> 00:05:49.339 We know it must have seemed like an ordinary day at the start of it. 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:52.939 Some livestock had gotten loose and wandered away. 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:55.259 And so Saul is sent to find them. 00:05:55.519 --> 00:05:58.279 It's a pretty typical scene in ancient Palestine. 00:05:58.279 --> 00:06:08.079 Little did Saul know that God was orchestrating one of the most surprising and important days of his life. 00:06:10.059 --> 00:06:13.619 Look at all the little details as you scan back over this portion we just read. 00:06:13.679 --> 00:06:15.559 Look at all the little details that come together. 00:06:16.259 --> 00:06:18.219 The donkeys that just happened to go missing. 00:06:18.599 --> 00:06:21.959 The servant who just happens to have a silver coin in his pocket. 00:06:22.239 --> 00:06:24.619 The women who just happen to be coming out drawing water. 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:30.220 And at just the right moment, who should meet them but Samuel, the great prophet himself. 00:06:32.199 --> 00:06:36.040 And we know that none of this is just mere coincidence. 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:38.340 Look again down at verse 16. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:45.280 Tomorrow about this time, God says, I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:55.059 You see, God was working in and through all these ordinary events to bring about his plan for Saul and for Israel. 00:06:56.819 --> 00:07:01.539 This chapter is a striking picture of what we often call God's providence. 00:07:02.579 --> 00:07:05.579 Here's one way God's providence has been described. 00:07:05.579 --> 00:07:16.000 Providence is the almighty and ever-present power of God by which he upholds as with his hand heaven and earth and all creatures. 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:25.079 And so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty. 00:07:25.759 --> 00:07:31.159 All things, in fact, come to us not by chance, but from his fatherly hand. 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:38.460 In other words, God orders all things for the good of his people. 00:07:40.140 --> 00:07:41.780 Look again at verse 16. 00:07:42.520 --> 00:07:45.700 Why is God bringing Saul to Samuel? 00:07:46.300 --> 00:07:48.379 Why has he orchestrated things in this way? 00:07:48.740 --> 00:07:50.660 Why is God going to make Saul king? 00:07:51.660 --> 00:07:57.120 After all, we know from chapter 8 that the people wanted a king for all the wrong reasons, right? 00:07:57.400 --> 00:08:00.160 They wanted to be just like the nations around them. 00:08:01.160 --> 00:08:04.860 Why does God even entertain the thought? 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:13.320 Well, even though the people are rebellious, you see, God is still merciful toward them. 00:08:14.340 --> 00:08:15.960 Here's why God's going to make Saul king. 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:22.900 He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines, for I've seen my people because their cry has come to me. 00:08:23.840 --> 00:08:24.620 Verse 16. 00:08:24.620 --> 00:08:29.199 That sounds a lot like the hand of Exodus chapter 2, doesn't it? 00:08:29.780 --> 00:08:33.179 Where God hears the people groaning in slavery in Egypt. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:36.980 And the text says he sees and he knows. 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:38.320 And what happens? 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:40.440 He raises up a deliverer. 00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:49.100 God's providential control of all things, you see, is motivated by his mercy for his people. 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:58.220 Of course, in the middle of our life stories, we certainly don't see how all of it fits together, right? 00:08:58.340 --> 00:08:59.180 I mean, how could we? 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:01.180 Think about Saul. 00:09:01.300 --> 00:09:07.720 After the young Saul had trucked all around the hill country in the hot sun, only to not find the donkeys, 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:15.620 the only thing he was probably thinking was, I'm tired of looking for donkeys, and it's time to go home, right? 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:22.019 He wasn't thinking, I know this is part of God's providential plan for my life, and today is going to be a very special day. 00:09:22.500 --> 00:09:24.660 No, he didn't know how it was all fitting together. 00:09:27.480 --> 00:09:34.160 And yet what he couldn't see was that losing the donkeys meant finding the kingdom. 00:09:34.159 --> 00:09:39.100 And there's a lesson here for all of us. 00:09:40.100 --> 00:09:48.419 The lesson to trust that God is working through the everyday events of your life to bring about God's good work. 00:09:50.699 --> 00:09:53.779 Again, it's not our job to try to figure it all out. 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:57.799 To try to guess in the middle of the story how and why God does certain things. 00:09:58.199 --> 00:10:00.740 Because no doubt if we try to do that, we'll probably get it wrong. 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:10.220 But we can trust that even in the little things, God is working his fatherly mercy in our lives. 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:18.460 Now there's a lot more that we could say about that, and maybe afterwards if we have some time we can engage that in Q&A. 00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:22.360 But I think that's the first brief lesson we see here, is this lesson about God's providence. 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:26.879 The next thing we have is a lesson in assurance. 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:29.840 Let's pick up in 9, 22. 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:38.620 Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about 30 persons. 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:41.019 And Samuel said to the cook, 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:44.600 Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, put it aside. 00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:48.700 So the cook took up the leg and what was on it, it set them before Saul. 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:50.379 And Samuel said, 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:53.539 See, what is kept is set before you. 00:10:54.419 --> 00:10:59.600 Eat, because it was kept for you until the hour appointed that you might eat with the guests. 00:11:00.740 --> 00:11:02.519 So Saul ate with Samuel that day. 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:08.000 And when they came down from the high place into the city, a bed was spread for Saul on the roof, and he lay down to sleep. 00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:12.080 And at the break of dawn, Samuel called to Saul on the roof, 00:11:12.179 --> 00:11:13.700 Up, that I might send you on your way. 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:17.120 So Saul rose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street. 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:20.600 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, 00:11:20.700 --> 00:11:22.419 Tell the servant to pass on before us. 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:27.759 And when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God. 00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:34.440 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him and said, 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:38.379 Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people, Israel? 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:43.659 And you shall reign over the people of the Lord, and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. 00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:48.299 And this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you to be prince over his heritage. 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:54.299 When you depart from me today, you will meet two men by Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah. 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:57.939 And they will say to you, The donkeys that you went to seek are found, 00:11:58.039 --> 00:12:01.059 and now your father has ceased to care about the donkeys and is anxious about you, 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:02.819 saying, What shall I do about my son? 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:06.740 Then you shall go on from there farther and come to the oak of Tabor. 00:12:07.339 --> 00:12:09.480 Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:12.600 one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:14.440 and another carrying a skin of wine. 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:17.080 And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:18.639 which you shall accept from their hand. 00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:21.860 After that, you shall come to Gibeath Elohim, 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:23.700 where there is a garrison of the Philistines. 00:12:24.180 --> 00:12:25.779 And there, as soon as you come to the city, 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:28.560 you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place 00:12:28.560 --> 00:12:31.480 with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. 00:12:32.300 --> 00:12:34.720 Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, 00:12:35.300 --> 00:12:38.440 and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:40.899 Now when these signs meet you, 00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:43.159 do what your hand finds to do, 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:44.759 for God is with you. 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.800 Then go down before me to Gilgal, 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:50.360 and behold, I'm coming down to you to offer burnt offerings 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:51.920 and to sacrifice peace offerings. 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:54.560 Seven days you shall wait until I come to you 00:12:54.560 --> 00:12:55.680 and show you what you shall do. 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:59.279 When he turned his back to leave Samuel, 00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:00.580 God gave him another heart, 00:13:01.060 --> 00:13:03.080 and all these signs came to pass that day. 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:05.200 When they came to Gibeah, 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.639 behold, a group of prophets met him, 00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:08.759 and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, 00:13:08.780 --> 00:13:10.080 and he prophesied among them. 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:11.980 And when all who knew him previously saw 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:13.379 how he prophesied with the prophets, 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.440 the people said to one another, 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:16.340 What has come over the son of Kish? 00:13:16.680 --> 00:13:18.220 Is Saul also among the prophets? 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.680 And a man of the place answered, 00:13:20.920 --> 00:13:21.900 And who is their father? 00:13:22.680 --> 00:13:23.860 Therefore it became a proverb, 00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:25.940 Is Saul also among the prophets? 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:27.960 When he had finished prophesying, 00:13:28.020 --> 00:13:29.040 he came to the high place. 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:32.159 And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:33.339 Where did you go? 00:13:34.179 --> 00:13:35.559 And he said to seek the donkeys. 00:13:36.199 --> 00:13:37.439 And when we saw that they were not found, 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.139 we went to Samuel. 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:40.199 And Saul's uncle said, 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:42.240 Please tell me what Samuel said to you. 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.240 And Saul said to his uncle, 00:13:44.839 --> 00:13:47.079 He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found. 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:49.439 But about the matter of the kingdom 00:13:49.439 --> 00:13:51.500 of which Samuel had spoken, 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:53.379 he did not tell him anything. 00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:58.319 So it's clear from these verses 00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:00.520 that God had chosen Saul 00:14:00.520 --> 00:14:02.040 to be Israel's first king. 00:14:02.680 --> 00:14:06.620 And here we see how God goes to incredible lengths 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:10.860 to give Saul such rich assurance of this fact. 00:14:11.420 --> 00:14:13.160 First, there's this feast, right? 00:14:13.540 --> 00:14:15.060 Imagine how Saul must have felt. 00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:17.080 He hadn't met Samuel before in his life, 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:18.940 but Samuel in essence says, 00:14:19.660 --> 00:14:21.260 Ah, I've been expecting you. 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:23.280 Here, sit at the head of the table, 00:14:23.560 --> 00:14:24.940 and I'll tell the cook to bring 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:26.320 the choice portion of meat 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:27.460 that I'd set aside for you. 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:31.820 That must have been really strange for Saul. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:33.840 Here he is a stranger 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:36.560 being welcomed as the guest of honor. 00:14:38.940 --> 00:14:40.520 Next, there are these signs 00:14:40.520 --> 00:14:42.260 that Samuel tells him will come true. 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:45.260 And notice how concrete and specific they are. 00:14:46.040 --> 00:14:47.420 Two men by Rachel's tomb 00:14:47.420 --> 00:14:48.900 who will give you word about the donkeys. 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.540 Three men going up to Bethel 00:14:50.540 --> 00:14:51.660 who will give you bread to eat. 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:53.659 You know, these aren't your sort of general, 00:14:53.959 --> 00:14:56.459 horoscopy, could probably come true 00:14:56.459 --> 00:14:58.500 in a lot of different ways sort of things, right? 00:14:58.860 --> 00:15:00.319 They're super specific 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:04.480 because God wants to give Saul assurance. 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:07.600 And then comes the third sign. 00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:11.120 The spirit rushes upon Saul at Gibeah 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:13.360 and he begins prophesying 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:15.579 along with a group of prophets there. 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:19.280 And Gibeah, as we find out a little later 00:15:19.280 --> 00:15:20.759 in chapter 10, is Saul's hometown. 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:23.620 So some of his neighbors see this and say, 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:25.620 is Saul also among the prophets? 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:27.720 Which ends up becoming this sort of 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:30.259 slang way of saying, 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:32.139 well, you don't see that every day. 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:35.100 That's kind of hard to believe. 00:15:35.199 --> 00:15:36.699 Those two things don't usually go together. 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:37.740 Is Saul among the prophets? 00:15:39.819 --> 00:15:41.379 The feast, the signs, 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.779 the rushing of the spirit, 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:46.480 all of this is confirmation 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:49.279 of the anointing that Saul receives 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:50.480 at the beginning of chapter 10. 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:53.120 Anointing, by the way, 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:54.639 was a sort of symbolic way 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.620 of setting someone apart 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.480 for a special role, 00:15:56.580 --> 00:15:57.480 for a special task. 00:15:58.500 --> 00:16:00.500 And here, this anointing symbolizes 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:02.100 that God is setting apart Saul 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:03.740 to be Israel's king. 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:05.740 And you might ask, 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:07.779 well, why is God doing all of this in private? 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:09.240 Why is he sort of anointing Saul 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.560 without anybody around? 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.440 And the answer 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:16.220 is probably that God is preparing Saul 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:17.879 for what's about to happen 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:18.940 at the end of chapter 10. 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:21.340 In other words, 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:24.659 he wants Saul to be personally ready 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:27.340 when God makes his choice public. 00:16:28.160 --> 00:16:29.800 He's preparing him in advance 00:16:29.800 --> 00:16:30.740 and God gives Saul 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.980 all these assurances 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:33.120 so he won't be afraid 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:34.779 when that day comes. 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:38.440 God wants Saul to know 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:39.419 that he's chosen him 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:40.700 and that he'll be with him. 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:42.139 And that's what 10-7 is all about. 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:43.019 Look at that verse again. 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:44.019 It says, 00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:45.779 Now when these signs meet you, 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:47.960 do what your hand finds to do. 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:48.460 In other words, 00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:50.720 be assured of your kingship 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:53.220 for God is with you. 00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:58.519 I think there's a lesson here for us 00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.920 about assurance. 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:02.840 Now, of course, 00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:04.279 none of us will have an identical 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:06.039 sort of experience as Saul. 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:07.180 Right? 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.860 On the one hand, 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.559 none of us in this room 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.779 is going to have God come to us 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.680 and tell us that we're going to be 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.620 the next king of Israel. 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:15.319 I'm pretty confident of that. 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:18.000 Even more so, 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:19.599 I don't think we need to expect 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:20.619 God to use 00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:22.740 similar kinds of miraculous signs 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:24.939 or powerful outward manifestations 00:17:24.939 --> 00:17:25.659 of the Spirit 00:17:25.659 --> 00:17:27.059 to grant us assurance today. 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:29.759 Not that God can't do those things. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.659 He certainly can. 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:31.819 But we need not depend 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:33.439 on those particular kinds 00:17:33.439 --> 00:17:34.439 of assurances. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:38.480 But having said all that, 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:40.360 the reality is, friends, 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:42.960 God doesn't want us 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:44.440 to be timid 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:45.779 or fearful 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:48.019 in our relationship to Him. 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:51.099 He wants us to be reverent. 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:52.339 He wants us to be humble. 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:54.740 But He doesn't want us to be afraid. 00:17:54.860 --> 00:17:56.480 He doesn't want us to be timid. 00:17:59.259 --> 00:17:59.960 You see, friends, 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.339 the New Testament teaches us 00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:02.220 that everyone 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:04.019 who turns from sin 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:06.200 and places their trust in Jesus 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:08.440 is completely forgiven 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:10.019 and counted righteous 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.759 in God's sight. 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:12.100 That is, they're fully 00:18:12.100 --> 00:18:14.000 and objectively justified 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.240 before God. 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.680 And if that weren't enough, 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:20.140 everyone who's justified in Christ, 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:22.480 the New Testament says, 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:24.460 is also fully adopted 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:26.600 as one of God's own sons 00:18:26.600 --> 00:18:27.180 and daughters 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:28.640 with all the rights 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.600 and privileges 00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:30.640 and joys 00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:31.779 that come with that status. 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:32.600 So you see, 00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:33.660 we're not just forgiven 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:35.820 and given a perfect legal record 00:18:35.820 --> 00:18:36.759 before God in Christ, 00:18:36.840 --> 00:18:37.940 but we're also brought 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.960 into the family. 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:42.620 And you see, friends, 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:44.880 the deeper you come to grip 00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:47.640 those twin truths 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:50.500 that we've been made righteous in Him 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.920 and that we've been brought 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:53.539 into the family in Him, 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.500 the deeper and deeper 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.840 you cling to those 00:18:56.840 --> 00:18:58.440 and come to know those 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.200 in your heart, 00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:02.360 the more and more 00:19:02.360 --> 00:19:03.980 your life begins to change 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.960 and unfold 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:06.680 in all sorts of ways. 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.460 In some sense, 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.400 that's the secret 00:19:09.400 --> 00:19:10.860 to Christian growth. 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:13.740 Really coming to believe 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:16.740 who we are in Christ. 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:19.279 Forgiven family. 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:22.319 And the question is, 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:24.319 how do we grow 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:26.059 in that deep, 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:26.779 rich assurance 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:28.139 of what we have 00:19:28.139 --> 00:19:28.660 in Christ? 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:31.819 And you see here, 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:34.200 the secret is not 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:36.720 to try to replicate 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:38.039 Saul's experience 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:39.180 that we see in this chapter. 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:41.000 The secret is not 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:42.240 to try to hunt down 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:43.240 coincidences 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.339 that might confirm it 00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:45.700 or try to whip up 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:47.079 ecstatic experiences 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:48.259 that might sort of 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.539 bring some assurance. 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.799 Look, if God wants 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:51.480 to give you those, 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.799 fine, great. 00:19:53.659 --> 00:19:54.460 That's fun. 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.519 But that's not really 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.699 where assurance comes from. 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:01.359 Don't try to replicate 00:20:01.359 --> 00:20:02.759 Saul's experience. 00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:04.039 Instead, 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:05.859 if you want assurance, 00:20:06.699 --> 00:20:08.240 look more and more 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:08.919 to the one 00:20:08.919 --> 00:20:10.119 who fulfilled 00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:11.179 Saul's experience. 00:20:13.199 --> 00:20:14.619 And what I mean is this. 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:15.799 You see, 00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:17.000 when Saul was anointed 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:17.880 king of Israel 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.940 and when the spirit 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:20.319 rushed upon him, 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.700 it's as if God 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.940 was tracing 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:25.400 a pattern 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.559 into history. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.619 It's as if God 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.900 was making an outline 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.859 in the midst 00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:31.839 of time. 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:34.779 But you see, 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:35.900 Saul himself, 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.500 he couldn't fill in 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:39.700 the outline. 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.779 He couldn't fill in 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.759 and complete the picture. 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.900 We'll see in chapters 13 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.460 and following 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.259 that even though 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.680 Saul started well, 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:51.019 he didn't finish well. 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:53.480 He ends up being 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.040 one of the most 00:20:54.040 --> 00:20:55.000 tragic figures 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:55.720 in the Old Testament. 00:20:58.360 --> 00:20:58.920 You see, friends, 00:20:58.980 --> 00:21:00.280 Saul was just a trace 00:21:00.280 --> 00:21:02.960 of the one to come. 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.259 Because there would be 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.120 one who would come 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:06.480 who would be 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.200 the truly 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.820 anointed one. 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.300 There would be one 00:21:11.300 --> 00:21:11.820 who came 00:21:11.820 --> 00:21:12.640 who would be 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.360 utterly 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.379 and completely 00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:15.519 filled with the spirit. 00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:17.519 And not in some 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.779 sort of momentary way 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:19.639 that sort of came 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.379 and went, 00:21:20.459 --> 00:21:21.419 but one who would be 00:21:21.419 --> 00:21:24.819 filled with the spirit 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:26.039 permanently 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:27.879 in all of his ways. 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:31.599 You see, 00:21:31.659 --> 00:21:32.699 when Jesus Christ 00:21:32.699 --> 00:21:34.099 began his public 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.699 ministry 00:21:34.699 --> 00:21:36.459 and was baptized 00:21:36.459 --> 00:21:37.599 by John the Baptist, 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.379 do you remember 00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:38.959 what happened? 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.500 the heavens 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:41.519 tore open 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:43.420 and the spirit 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:44.140 descended 00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:45.680 and remained 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.200 on him. 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:48.360 And then God 00:21:48.360 --> 00:21:48.740 the Father 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.660 spoke these words 00:21:49.660 --> 00:21:50.180 of assurance. 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:52.039 This is my beloved 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:52.559 son 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.579 in whom 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:54.620 I am well pleased. 00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:58.779 And Jesus 00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.279 having 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.620 began well, 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.620 we know 00:22:02.620 --> 00:22:03.380 finished well. 00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:05.759 He obeyed 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.220 his father 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:06.900 to the end. 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.880 He ascended 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:08.500 the cross 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.360 for our sins 00:22:09.360 --> 00:22:10.860 and he rose 00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:11.780 again three days 00:22:11.780 --> 00:22:12.019 later 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:13.080 demonstrating 00:22:13.080 --> 00:22:14.540 that he had 00:22:14.540 --> 00:22:15.580 destroyed the power 00:22:15.580 --> 00:22:16.340 of sin and death 00:22:16.340 --> 00:22:16.920 through his death 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:17.560 on the cross. 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:20.860 And he ascended 00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:21.660 to God's right hand 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.120 where he sits 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:22.860 right now 00:22:22.860 --> 00:22:24.060 enthroned 00:22:24.060 --> 00:22:24.700 as the world's 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:25.280 true Lord 00:22:25.280 --> 00:22:26.019 and true king. 00:22:27.360 --> 00:22:27.640 You see, 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.600 that little sketch 00:22:28.600 --> 00:22:29.980 that Saul makes 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.580 in history 00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:31.480 of one who would 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.080 be anointed 00:22:32.080 --> 00:22:33.000 and filled 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.820 and sent out 00:22:33.820 --> 00:22:34.320 to ministry, 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.179 it was just 00:22:35.179 --> 00:22:36.240 an echo 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.579 of what God 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.480 has done 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.939 once and for all 00:22:39.939 --> 00:22:41.319 in Jesus Christ 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:43.379 for us 00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:45.279 and for our salvation. 00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:49.379 And friends, 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.539 as we look 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:51.480 to him, 00:22:51.899 --> 00:22:53.079 not to ourselves, 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.319 as we look 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:54.960 to him 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:57.299 with growing 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:57.939 love 00:22:57.939 --> 00:22:58.839 and with growing 00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.539 trust, 00:23:00.159 --> 00:23:01.019 that's where 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.659 our assurance 00:23:01.659 --> 00:23:02.279 comes from. 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:05.660 It's like the song 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:06.279 we often sing 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:06.819 here at Trinity. 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.279 Before the throne 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.160 of God above, 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.539 I have a strong 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.480 and perfect plea. 00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:13.000 A great high priest 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.799 whose name is love, 00:23:13.879 --> 00:23:14.619 whoever lives 00:23:14.619 --> 00:23:15.920 and pleads for me. 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:17.059 My name 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:17.619 is graven 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.500 on his hands. 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.500 My name 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:19.819 is written 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.579 on his heart. 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.460 I know that 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:21.940 while in heaven 00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:22.779 he stands, 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:24.000 no tongue 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.740 can bid me 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.480 thence depart. 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.379 Behold him there, 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.460 the risen lamb, 00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:29.960 my perfect, 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.680 spotless righteousness, 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:32.779 the great 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.539 unchangeable 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:33.960 I am, 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.299 the king 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:34.940 of glory 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:36.039 and of grace. 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.960 One with himself 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:39.000 I cannot die. 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:40.640 My soul 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.200 is purchased 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:42.120 by his blood. 00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:43.600 My life 00:23:43.600 --> 00:23:44.000 is hid 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.620 with Christ 00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:45.220 on high, 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.799 with Christ 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.440 my savior 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.240 and my God. 00:23:50.100 --> 00:23:50.660 Friends, 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.180 that's where 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.000 assurance comes from. 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:53.440 That's what 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:54.100 the Holy Spirit 00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:54.759 will take 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.799 in your heart 00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.980 and it will cause 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:58.000 to well up 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.920 into a deep 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.519 confidence, 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.580 not in yourself, 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.579 but in him. 00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:04.939 So God 00:24:04.939 --> 00:24:05.659 doesn't want us 00:24:05.659 --> 00:24:06.259 to be timid 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.699 or fearful. 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.199 He wants us 00:24:07.199 --> 00:24:08.240 to look to Christ 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:08.960 and know that 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.500 we're his 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.319 and that he is 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:10.879 with us. 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.199 It's a lesson 00:24:12.199 --> 00:24:12.939 in assurance. 00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:15.339 The last lesson 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:15.980 we learn from this 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.639 chapter is a lesson 00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:17.179 in dependence. 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.740 Let's read the end 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.319 of chapter 10 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:20.240 starting in verse 17. 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.720 Now Samuel 00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.220 called the people 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.980 together to the Lord 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.480 at Mizpah 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:23.899 and he said 00:24:23.899 --> 00:24:24.279 to the people 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:24.639 of Israel, 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.399 thus says the Lord, 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.179 the God of Israel, 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.899 I brought up Israel 00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:28.699 out of Egypt 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:29.660 and I delivered you 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:30.160 from the hand 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:30.740 of the Egyptians 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.559 and from the hand 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.160 of all the kingdoms 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:33.140 that were oppressing you. 00:24:33.580 --> 00:24:34.360 But today you have 00:24:34.360 --> 00:24:35.279 rejected your God 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:35.900 who saves you 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.819 from all your calamities 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:37.740 and your distresses 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.740 and you have said to him, 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.279 set a king over us. 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:42.160 Now therefore present yourselves 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:42.799 before the Lord 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.559 by your tribes 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.400 and by your thousands. 00:24:45.120 --> 00:24:45.900 And Samuel brought 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.420 all the tribes 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.100 of Israel near 00:24:47.100 --> 00:24:48.279 and the tribe 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:48.700 of Benjamin 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.660 was taken by Lot. 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.779 He brought the tribe 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.480 of Benjamin near 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.420 by its clans 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:54.279 and the clan 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:55.080 of the Matrites 00:24:55.080 --> 00:24:56.120 was taken by Lot 00:24:56.119 --> 00:24:57.719 and Saul, 00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:58.439 the son of Kish 00:24:58.439 --> 00:24:59.299 was taken by Lot. 00:25:00.379 --> 00:25:01.500 But when they sought him, 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.239 he could not be found. 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.399 So they inquired again 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:05.839 to the Lord, 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.299 is there a man 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:07.919 still to come? 00:25:08.719 --> 00:25:09.539 And the Lord said, 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.139 behold, 00:25:10.659 --> 00:25:11.759 he's hidden himself 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.579 among the baggage. 00:25:14.699 --> 00:25:15.479 Then they ran 00:25:15.479 --> 00:25:16.299 and took him from there 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.119 and when he stood 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:17.759 among the people, 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:18.339 he was taller 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:19.059 than any of the people 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:20.059 from his shoulders upward. 00:25:20.959 --> 00:25:21.599 And Samuel said 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.199 to all the people, 00:25:22.699 --> 00:25:23.299 do you see him 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.139 whom the Lord has chosen? 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.500 There's none like him 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.319 among all the people 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.839 and all the people shouted, 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.779 long live the king. 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:31.079 Then Samuel told the people 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:32.079 the rights and duties 00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:32.779 of the kingship 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.339 and he wrote them 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:33.759 in a book 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.299 and laid it up 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:34.960 before the Lord. 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.460 Then Samuel sent 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:37.319 all the people away, 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:38.480 each one to his home. 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:39.900 Saul also went 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:40.700 to his home at Gibeah 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.420 and with him went 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.099 men of valor 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:43.119 whose hearts 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:44.039 God had touched. 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.380 But some worthless fellow 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:45.680 said, 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.960 how can this man save us? 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.640 And they despised him 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.500 and brought him no present. 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.259 But he, 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:50.920 that is Saul, 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.380 held his peace. 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.200 So I want to end 00:25:56.200 --> 00:25:57.660 just focusing on verse 22. 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.019 You know, 00:25:59.099 --> 00:25:59.259 it's, 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:02.640 the narrator doesn't say 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:05.240 why Saul was hiding 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.619 among the baggage. 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:09.240 But it's one of those details 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.359 that when you read this chapter 00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:11.460 you just can't forget. 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.299 There's Saul 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:15.180 whose head and shoulders 00:26:15.180 --> 00:26:16.339 above everyone else 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:17.539 hiding. 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:19.940 You know, 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.660 we can only speculate 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.519 what was going on 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:21.980 in his mind 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.480 and his heart. 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.319 You would think 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:24.059 that after the sort of 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.240 powerful experiences 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.240 that had just happened 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:26.500 to him, 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.259 he'd be ready 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:28.160 to sort of take up 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:28.839 this new role 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.559 with courage. 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:31.880 But he's hiding 00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:32.640 among the baggage. 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.140 Maybe it was humility. 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:35.859 You know, 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:36.960 maybe it was 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:39.259 some political prudence. 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.500 He didn't want to 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:40.960 sort of just 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:42.180 jump in there. 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.599 First king, 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.140 who knows what was 00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:44.579 going to happen. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:46.259 You know, 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:46.559 sadly, 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.519 maybe it was simply 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.200 unbelief. 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.859 Maybe Saul doubted 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.720 God would be with him 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.259 after all. 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:53.799 We just can't say. 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:54.480 We don't know. 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:56.980 But what we do learn 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.900 from verse 22 00:26:57.900 --> 00:27:00.180 is that the people 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:00.740 of God 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.940 are totally 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.980 dependent 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.819 on the Lord. 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:06.319 And here's what I mean. 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.339 Verse 21 ends, 00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:09.839 when they sought him, 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.440 that is Saul, 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.740 he could not be found. 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:14.400 Even after God 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:15.339 confirms 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.160 his choice 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:17.339 of a king publicly 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:18.319 through the casting 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.880 of lots, 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:20.440 the Lord 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:22.000 has to practically 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:23.259 take the people 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:23.920 by the hand 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:25.079 and lead them 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.480 to Saul 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.039 who's nowhere 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.599 to be found, 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.079 who's hiding 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:27.819 among the baggage. 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:28.980 God's got to 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.319 take him 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.220 the whole way. 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.259 You see, 00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:35.519 friends, 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:36.099 it's the Lord 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:36.839 the whole time. 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.879 When the people 00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:40.420 want a king 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.660 for all the wrong reasons, 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.539 God in his mercy 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.299 still acts 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:44.000 in his providence 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:45.059 to send him a rescuer. 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:48.220 When Saul's doubtful 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.679 that God could want him, 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:51.159 a mere Benjaminite, 00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:51.940 as king, 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:53.119 God showers him 00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:53.440 with these 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:55.179 undeniable assurances. 00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:58.720 And when at last 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.460 the human king 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.179 God has chosen 00:28:00.179 --> 00:28:00.879 is hiding, 00:28:01.819 --> 00:28:02.639 perhaps still 00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:03.819 riddled with doubts. 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:06.240 God in his mercy 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:07.220 brings the people 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:07.700 to him. 00:28:11.179 --> 00:28:11.940 You see, friends, 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.720 we are dependent 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.299 on God 00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:14.559 from first to last. 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:17.059 And we can do 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:18.440 nothing apart from him. 00:28:20.179 --> 00:28:21.419 And that 00:28:21.419 --> 00:28:23.159 is completely 00:28:23.159 --> 00:28:24.859 and utterly 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:26.279 good news. 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:29.159 Because the God 00:28:29.159 --> 00:28:30.019 that we know 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.740 in Jesus, 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:31.919 the true king, 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.480 is a God 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:34.980 who's utterly dependable. 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:38.059 These two chapters 00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:39.319 are all about God 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:40.599 finding a king 00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.220 for his people 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.099 and overcoming 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.960 Saul's doubts. 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:45.039 But in Jesus, 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.819 we have a king 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:47.119 who comes to find us. 00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:49.679 We don't have to go 00:28:49.679 --> 00:28:50.539 searching for him. 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.960 He comes to search 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.480 for us. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.000 So tonight, 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.720 do you acknowledge 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:59.579 that you need 00:28:59.579 --> 00:29:00.599 a king like that? 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.700 Can you admit 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.839 that you're needy, 00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:07.399 that you're sinful 00:29:07.399 --> 00:29:07.839 even, 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.059 and that you need 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:09.559 a savior? 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.519 friend, 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:12.679 friend, 00:29:12.679 --> 00:29:13.279 if you can admit 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.079 those things, 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:16.379 then you are so close 00:29:16.379 --> 00:29:18.379 to being in the most 00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.359 secure place 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:19.960 possible. 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.399 Because Jesus 00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:23.919 is a king 00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:24.720 who can be trusted. 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:27.000 If you can admit 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:28.500 that you're needy, 00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:31.419 then step 00:29:31.419 --> 00:29:32.559 into him 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.259 in faith. 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:35.879 we're an utterly 00:29:35.879 --> 00:29:37.039 dependent 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.980 people. 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:40.400 But what Samuel 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:41.059 shows us here 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:41.599 is that we have 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.099 an utterly 00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:43.259 dependable God. 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.400 Let's pray. 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:53.539 God, 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:54.000 we're thankful 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.740 that you 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:56.079 overcome 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:57.440 our fearful 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:58.220 and our timid 00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:58.720 hearts 00:29:58.720 --> 00:30:00.420 and that, 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:00.660 God, 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.039 you come 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.860 to find us. 00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:03.819 So, 00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:04.000 Lord, 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.799 I pray tonight 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.779 that you would 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.519 open the eyes 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:06.880 and hearts 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.240 of those 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:07.759 who are seeking 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.299 for you 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:09.539 and help 00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:10.220 them to see, 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:10.839 God, 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.259 that you 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:11.640 have been 00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.279 seeking them. 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:14.880 Lord, 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:15.400 help us to 00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:16.600 trust your 00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:17.279 good providence 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.100 in our lives. 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.079 Lord, 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:20.559 grant us 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.200 assurance, 00:30:21.360 --> 00:30:21.799 we pray, 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:22.519 of the salvation 00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:23.039 that we have 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.640 in Christ. 00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:25.779 Lord, 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.360 and help us 00:30:26.360 --> 00:30:27.440 to be a joyfully 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.220 dependent people 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.600 in you. 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.360 We ask this 00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:31.000 in Christ's name. 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:31.420 Amen. 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.039 The music team 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.660 is going to come up. 00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:34.240 We're going to 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:35.059 continue worshiping 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:35.579 God together. 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.460 Let's stand together. 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:52.620 Well, 00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:53.059 it's typically 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:53.880 our practice 00:30:53.880 --> 00:30:55.039 in the evening service 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:55.819 to end with just 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.680 some time of interaction 00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:57.140 and Q&A, 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.000 but we're out of time. 00:30:58.980 --> 00:30:59.299 So, 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:01.099 I will hang around 00:31:01.099 --> 00:31:01.519 up front 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.200 if you have 00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:02.900 any questions 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:03.779 and want to 00:31:03.779 --> 00:31:04.759 sort of 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:06.319 banter 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:07.220 about the passage. 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:07.980 I'd be happy 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.480 to do that. 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:10.119 But let me just 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:10.519 end with a couple 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:11.079 quick announcements. 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:11.640 I hope you got a 00:31:11.640 --> 00:31:12.079 bulletin 00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:13.279 on the way in. 00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:13.599 If not, 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.519 grab one on the way out. 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.639 There's a bunch 00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:16.180 of stuff going on 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:16.240 on the way out. 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:16.700 There's a bunch of stuff 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:17.240 going on. 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:17.539 I'll be happy to do that. 00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:17.940 There's a bunch of stuff 00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:18.420 going on. 00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:18.500 I'll be happy to do that. 00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:19.039 I'll be happy to do that.