SOAP 27

Scripture

1 Samuel 13:1-15

1 Saul was a young man when he began as king. He was king over Israel for many years.
2 Saul conscripted enough men for three companies of soldiers. He kept two companies under his command at Micmash and in the Bethel hills. The other company was under Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. He sent the rest of the men home. 3-4 Jonathan attacked and killed the Philistine governor stationed at Geba (Gibeah). When the Philistines heard the news, they raised the alarm: "The Hebrews are in revolt!" Saul ordered the reveille trumpets blown throughout the land. The word went out all over Israel, "Saul has killed the Philistine governor—drawn first blood! The Philistines are stirred up and mad as hornets!" Summoned, the army came to Saul at Gilgal.
5 The Philistines rallied their forces to fight Israel: three companies of chariots, six companies of cavalry, and so many infantry they looked like sand on the seashore. They went up into the hills and set up camp at Micmash, east of Beth Aven.
6-7 When the Israelites saw that they were way outnumbered and in deep trouble, they ran for cover, hiding in caves and pits, ravines and brambles and cisterns—wherever. They retreated across the Jordan River, refugees fleeing to the country of Gad and Gilead. But Saul held his ground in Gilgal, his soldiers still with him but scared to death.
8 He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel. Samuel failed to show up at Gilgal, and the soldiers were slipping away, right and left.
9-10 So Saul took charge: "Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!" He went ahead and sacrificed the burnt offering. No sooner had he done it than Samuel showed up! Saul greeted him.
11-12 Samuel said, "What on earth are you doing?"
Saul answered, "When I saw I was losing my army from under me, and that you hadn't come when you said you would, and that the Philistines were poised at Micmash, I said, 'The Philistines are about to come down on me in Gilgal, and I haven't yet come before God asking for his help.' So I took things into my own hands, and sacrificed the burnt offering."
13-14 "That was a fool thing to do," Samuel said to Saul. "If you had kept the appointment that your God commanded, by now God would have set a firm and lasting foundation under your kingly rule over Israel. As it is, your kingly rule is already falling to pieces. God is out looking for your replacement right now. This time he'll do the choosing. When he finds him, he'll appoint him leader of his people. And all because you didn't keep your appointment with God!"
15 At that, Samuel got up and left Gilgal. What army there was left followed Saul into battle. They went into the hills from Gilgal toward Gibeah in Benjamin. Saul looked over and assessed the soldiers still with him—a mere six hundred!

Observation

1.The first time King Saul summoned the people to fight, 300,000 people showed up. Only 3,000 showed up this time. How did Saul affect the morale of his troops?

I think Saul change the morale of his troops because he didnt seem to have faith in God to show him where to go. With this his disbelief in his people they didnt want to fallow him.

2. In what way was Saul disobedient to God?

He didn't wait like he was told. He wanted to be in control of the situation. He also didn't have the paticence to wait for Samuel.

3. what was the consequence for Saul's disobedience?

Samuel told Saul that he was going to now lose his Kingdom because he couldn't wait for the word of God to happen.

Applications

1. Have you ever gotten ahead of God by implementing your plan rather than his plam?

Yes, when trying to move to New Mexico with out his gidence. So, on the way to moving to New Mexico my car died and I became stuck in a place I didnt really want to be in. I dont know what he had planned for me. I wish I could see what God sees in me.

2. Why is it so diffucult to wait on God and obediently follow His instruction to us? Why are we tempted to take shortcuts?

I think that we want to see where we are going and not be stuck in the darkness, and we really want to hold the rains when God is. We are tempted to take shortcuts because we dont really want to do the work to get where we need to be.

3. What situations do we face as fully devoted followers of Christ that require us to trust God?

I think that God puts trials in our life to make us stronger. I also think that the devil want to take control of our life. Through all the bad things that happen in our life we can find our way out by just believing that God will be there to show us the way.

4. How does trusting in God help us to become genuine from the inside out?

I think that trusting in God helps us to show the love that Christ has for us. It also helps us show the way, the light, and the path to Christ.


Prayer