Choosing Kings: The Perils of Self-Rule
Summary
In our new series, "A Tale of Two Kings," we delve into the stories of Saul and David from the book of 1 Samuel. This narrative is not just a historical account but a profound exploration of leadership, obedience, and the human condition. Today, we focus on 1 Samuel 15, a pivotal chapter that marks a significant turning point in Israel's history and offers deep insights into our own lives.
The Israelites, weary of the instability of judges, demanded a king to lead them like other nations. God granted their request, appointing Saul as the first king. This was not against God's plan, as He had anticipated this moment and provided guidelines for kingship in Deuteronomy 17. The king was to be a man who submitted to God's law, a principle Saul ultimately failed to uphold.
Saul's reign began well, with victories over the Ammonites and Philistines. However, his downfall began when he overstepped his bounds, assuming priestly duties and disobeying God's commands. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul's disobedience reaches a climax when he spares King Agag and keeps the best livestock, directly defying God's instructions. This act of rebellion, presumption, and disobedience led to God's rejection of Saul as king.
This story is a mirror reflecting our own tendencies to be our own kings, writing our own rules, and following our own desires. It echoes the original temptation in Eden, where humanity first sought to be its own authority. The irony is that while we reject the idea of absolute power in others, we often assume it for ourselves, leading to spiritual corruption.
Yet, the narrative doesn't end with Saul's failure. It points us to another King, Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect kingship. Unlike Saul, Jesus is the King who can be trusted with absolute authority because He is God. He offers us grace and invites us into His kingdom, urging us to relinquish our self-appointed thrones and submit to His righteous rule.
As we enter a new year, the challenge is clear: Will we continue to be our own kings, or will we bow before Jesus, the King of Kings, and allow Him to reign in our lives?
Key Takeaways:
1. The Danger of Self-Kingship: The story of Saul warns us against the temptation to be our own kings, a path that leads to rebellion and spiritual ruin. True freedom and stability come from submitting to God's authority, not our own. [12:19]
2. Obedience Over Sacrifice: Saul's downfall illustrates that God values obedience over religious rituals. Our acts of worship are meaningless if our hearts are not aligned with God's will. [22:21]
3. The Irony of Absolute Power: While we reject absolute power in others, we often assume it for ourselves, leading to spiritual corruption. True wisdom lies in recognizing our need for a righteous King. [10:41]
4. The Role of God's Word: Saul's failure to heed God's word highlights the importance of Scripture in guiding our lives. Regular engagement with God's word is essential for making wise decisions. [25:59]
5. The Hope of a New King: Despite Saul's failure, the narrative points to Jesus, the perfect King who offers grace and invites us into His kingdom. Our hope lies in submitting to His rule and experiencing His transformative power. [36:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Introduction to the Series
- [00:31] - Turning Point in Israel's History
- [01:22] - The Era of Judges
- [02:24] - Samuel and His Sons
- [03:25] - Israel Demands a King
- [04:16] - God's Plan for Kingship
- [05:08] - The Story of Saul
- [06:28] - The Significance of Kings in the Bible
- [08:00] - The Separation of Powers
- [10:09] - The Irony of Self-Kingship
- [12:49] - The Original Temptation
- [17:29] - Saul's Rebellion and Presumption
- [22:21] - Obedience Over Sacrifice
- [31:58] - Saul's Rejection by God
- [36:14] - The Hope of a New King
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "A Tale of Two Kings"
Bible Reading:
- 1 Samuel 15
- Deuteronomy 17:14-20
- Genesis 3:1-6
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific instructions did God give to Saul in 1 Samuel 15, and how did Saul fail to follow them? [19:35]
2. According to Deuteronomy 17, what were the qualifications and responsibilities of a king in Israel? How did Saul measure up to these standards?
3. In Genesis 3, what were the three parts of the original temptation that Satan presented to Adam and Eve? How do these relate to the concept of self-kingship? [13:40]
4. How does the sermon describe the irony of self-kingship in modern culture, particularly in the context of American life? [12:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Saul's story in 1 Samuel 15 illustrate the danger of self-kingship and the consequences of disobedience to God's commands? [20:25]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the temptation to be our own king is similar to the original temptation in the Garden of Eden? [16:15]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of God's word in guiding our lives, and what are the consequences of neglecting it, as seen in Saul's story? [25:59]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the hope and promise of a new king, Jesus Christ, in contrast to Saul's failure? [36:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you acted as your own king, making decisions based on your desires rather than God's guidance. What was the outcome, and how might you approach similar situations differently in the future? [12:19]
2. Saul's story emphasizes obedience over sacrifice. In what areas of your life might you be prioritizing religious rituals over genuine obedience to God? How can you realign your priorities? [22:21]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of engaging with God's word regularly. What practical steps can you take to ensure that Scripture guides your daily decisions and actions? [25:59]
4. Consider the irony of rejecting absolute power in others while assuming it for ourselves. How can you cultivate a heart of humility and submission to God's authority in your life? [10:41]
5. The sermon challenges us to relinquish our self-appointed thrones and submit to Jesus' righteous rule. What specific areas of your life do you need to surrender to Christ's kingship? [39:51]
6. How can you actively seek to experience the transformative power of Jesus' kingdom in your life and community this year? [36:14]
7. Reflect on the role of accountability in your spiritual journey. How can you involve others in helping you stay true to God's word and avoid the pitfalls of self-kingship? [39:39]
Devotional
Day 1: The Perils of Self-Rule
The story of Saul serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-kingship. Saul's journey from a promising leader to a rejected king highlights the human tendency to assume control and authority over our own lives, often at the expense of divine guidance. This inclination mirrors the original temptation in Eden, where humanity sought to be its own authority. The narrative warns that while we may reject the idea of absolute power in others, we often assume it for ourselves, leading to spiritual corruption and instability. True freedom and stability come from submitting to God's authority, not our own. [12:19]
1 Samuel 8:19-20 (ESV): "But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, 'No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you trying to be your own king? How can you begin to surrender these areas to God's authority today?
Day 2: Obedience Over Ritual
Saul's downfall is a powerful reminder that God values obedience over religious rituals. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul disobeys God's direct command by sparing King Agag and keeping the best livestock, believing that sacrifices would appease God. However, this act of rebellion underscores the futility of religious rituals when our hearts are not aligned with God's will. True worship is not about external acts but about a heart that seeks to obey and honor God in all things. This principle challenges us to examine our own lives and ensure that our acts of worship are rooted in genuine obedience. [22:21]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you prioritize religious rituals over genuine obedience? How can you realign your heart to prioritize obedience to God?
Day 3: The Illusion of Absolute Power
The irony of absolute power is that while we often reject it in others, we assume it for ourselves, leading to spiritual corruption. Saul's story illustrates this irony as he oversteps his bounds, assuming priestly duties and disobeying God's commands. This narrative invites us to recognize our own tendencies to seek control and authority, often at the expense of our spiritual well-being. True wisdom lies in acknowledging our need for a righteous King who can guide us with perfect authority and love. [10:41]
Proverbs 16:18 (ESV): "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision where you assumed control without seeking God's guidance. How can you invite God into your decision-making process moving forward?
Day 4: The Guiding Light of Scripture
Saul's failure to heed God's word highlights the importance of Scripture in guiding our lives. The narrative of 1 Samuel 15 underscores the consequences of ignoring divine instructions and the necessity of regular engagement with God's word. Scripture serves as a guiding light, offering wisdom and direction for making wise decisions. This takeaway challenges us to prioritize time in God's word, allowing it to shape our thoughts, actions, and decisions. [25:59]
Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Reflection: How can you incorporate regular Bible reading into your daily routine to ensure that God's word guides your decisions?
Day 5: The Hope of a Perfect King
Despite Saul's failure, the narrative points to the hope of a new King, Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect kingship. Unlike Saul, Jesus is the King who can be trusted with absolute authority because He is God. He offers grace and invites us into His kingdom, urging us to relinquish our self-appointed thrones and submit to His righteous rule. This message of hope encourages us to place our trust in Jesus, experiencing His transformative power and grace in our lives. [36:14]
Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV): "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to submit to Jesus' rule in your life and experience His transformative power?
Quotes
"Saul's reign began well, with victories over the Ammonites and Philistines. However, his downfall began when he overstepped his bounds, assuming priestly duties and disobeying God's commands. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul's disobedience reaches a climax when he spares King Agag and keeps the best livestock, directly defying God's instructions. This act of rebellion, presumption, and disobedience led to God's rejection of Saul as king." [00:18:48]
"Saul reigned for 40 years, and 1 Samuel chapter 15 comes roughly halfway through his reign. For a few years, things had gone well; there had been some victories. Then in chapter 13, very interesting what happens when Saul begins to get confident is that he tries to extend his own power beyond even the power given to a king." [00:93:44]
"Instead of putting Agag to the sword, which was what God had commanded Saul to do, Saul chose to bring him back alive, perhaps thinking that having him locked up would be a kind of trophy to his own praise. And instead of destroying the animals as God has commanded, Saul kept them and then justified his action on the basis that he had offered some of them as sacrifices to God." [00:89:60]
"Notice that Saul is indicted by God on three charges. Let's allow the light of God's word to search our own hearts right now. The first is rebellion. Rebellion is as the sin of divination. You can check this out in Deuteronomy chapter 17, but when a king in Israel came to the throne, the command of God was that the very first thing he was to do was to make his own hand-written copy of the entire book of Deuteronomy." [00:87:84]
"Saul did not listen to the word of God, and as time went on, Saul convinced himself that he could decide what was best for himself, that he could determine what should be done for himself and for the nation, and that he would stand and fall by his own judgments. And Samuel nails that for what it is. He says, Saul, that is called rebellion." [00:97:60]
"Saul manages to convince himself that he really is pleasing God even when he is in rebellion against him. There's this man; he's actually not listening to the word of God. He's going on his own way, but notice what he says to Samuel: 'I have performed the commandment of the Lord. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord.'" [00:72:39]
"Samuel said, 'Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.'" [00:38:55]
"Saul is absolutely sure that he's on the right side of God, that he can please God in his own way. He doesn't need to go by the Bible way or the word of God through Samuel's way. He can please God in his own way, and we spared the sheep for the sacrifice to the Lord. We did it to please God." [00:12:49]
"Samuel says, 'Now the only problem with that, Saul, is you may think that that's what God wants, but that is not what God said. You're guilty of presumption. You have this idea that whatever you think is good is what is acceptable to God. That's a path to disaster.'" [00:74:64]
"Rebellion, presumption, then the third indictment here, do you see it? Disobedience. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice. Now Samuel's not making a critique of sacrifices here. Sacrifices, of course, were given by God, pleasing to God when offered with a humble and a faithful heart, an expression of worship." [00:11:36]
"Saul heard the most awful words that there must have been an agony for Samuel to speak. They were awful for Saul to hear: 'Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.' God was done with Saul. This is the Old Testament equivalent to the day that Jesus speaks about when some who thought very well of their religious works will hear the Savior say to them, 'Depart from me, I never knew you.'" [00:18:79]
"God is not for him; God is not with him, and he is without God and he is without hope in the world. That's the reality of Saul from the end of chapter 15. And we're going to follow the story, and we're going to see what it is like to be without God and without hope in the world as Saul moves into greater and greater darkness." [00:42:48]
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