Trusting God: Lessons from Saul's Kingship Journey
Summary
Today, we continued exploring the life of Samuel and the pivotal moment when Israel demanded a human king. The people’s desire for a king was rooted not in wisdom or faith, but in a longing to be like the surrounding nations. They rejected God as their true King, seeking security and identity in human leadership. God, in His patience, allowed them to have what they asked for—not out of spite, but to let them learn firsthand the consequences of misplaced trust.
Saul, the man chosen to be Israel’s first king, fit the people’s criteria perfectly: tall, strong, from a respected family. He looked the part, and at first, things seemed to go well. But God’s warning was clear—any king other than Himself would ultimately disappoint. Saul’s story begins with humility and uncertainty, but as we know, that humility would not last. Still, in these early moments, God’s interaction with Saul reveals much about His own character and how He deals with us, even when we make poor choices.
God gave Saul three signs as he stepped into his new role. First, God showed that He could solve Saul’s problems—reminding him that the lost donkeys were already found, and that God is always able to handle what concerns us. Second, God provided for Saul’s needs, as strangers would offer him bread on his journey. This was a tangible reminder that God is our provider, able to meet our needs in unexpected ways. Third, God promised to empower Saul by His Spirit, enabling him to do things he could never do on his own. Saul would prophesy, not because of his own ability, but because of God’s power working through him.
These truths are not just for Saul, but for all of us. God is faithful, even when we are not. He desires to walk with us, to provide for us, to solve our problems, and to do through us what we could never do alone. Our part is simply to follow Him, to trust in His promises, and to rely on His Spirit. As we send our students and leaders to camp this week, let’s commit to praying for them, trusting that God will move powerfully in their lives—just as He desires to move in ours.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Faithfulness Remains Even When We Reject Him
God’s response to Israel’s rejection was not vindictive, but patient and instructive. He allowed them to experience the consequences of their choices, yet continued to provide guidance and opportunity for relationship. Even when we turn away or seek fulfillment elsewhere, God’s faithfulness and desire for our good never waver. [19:23]
- God Solves Problems We Cannot Fix on Our Own
When Saul was worried about the lost donkeys, God had already resolved the issue before Saul even knew it. This demonstrates that God is intimately aware of our needs and is able to handle the problems that seem overwhelming to us. Trusting God means believing He is already at work in the situations that trouble us most. [29:16]
- God Provides for Our Needs in Unexpected Ways
Saul and his servant were out of food, yet God arranged for strangers to offer them bread on their journey. God’s provision often comes from places and people we do not anticipate, reminding us that He is Jehovah Jireh—the Lord who provides. Our role is to remain open and receptive to the ways God chooses to meet our needs. [31:24]
- God Empowers Us to Do What We Cannot Do Alone
Saul was not a prophet, yet God’s Spirit enabled him to prophesy. This is a powerful reminder that God equips us for tasks beyond our natural abilities when we rely on Him. The history of God’s people is filled with ordinary individuals accomplishing extraordinary things through the power of the Holy Spirit. [32:29]
- Following God Means Trusting His Promises and Walking in Obedience
God’s invitation to Saul—and to us—is simple: follow Me. He promises to be with us, to provide, to solve our problems, and to work through us. Our responsibility is to trust Him enough to obey, even when we don’t see the whole picture, believing that His faithfulness will never fail. [38:08]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Series Recap: Speak Lord and Samuel’s Role
[03:45] - Israel’s Demand for a Human King
[07:30] - The Consequences of Rejecting God as King
[16:09] - Childhood Story: Learning from Consequences
[19:23] - Israel’s Choice and God’s Response
[21:24] - Saul: The People’s Ideal King
[22:37] - The Search for the Lost Donkeys
[23:41] - Saul Meets Samuel
[27:59] - God’s Signs to Saul
[29:16] - God Solves Our Problems
[31:24] - God Provides for Our Needs
[32:29] - God Empowers Us by His Spirit
[36:27] - God’s Faithfulness Despite Rejection
[38:08] - The Call to Follow and Trust God
[39:57] - Camp Prayer Commitment
[42:12] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Life of Samuel, Israel’s First King, and God’s Faithfulness
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### Bible Reading
1 Samuel 8:4-22
Israel demands a king and God instructs Samuel to listen to the people, warning them of the consequences.
1 Samuel 9:1–10:9
The story of Saul’s search for the donkeys, his meeting with Samuel, and the signs God gives to confirm Saul as king.
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### Observation Questions
1. What reasons did the Israelites give for wanting a human king, and how did God respond to their request? ([19:23])
2. What qualities did Saul have that made him the people’s ideal choice for king? ([21:24])
3. What were the three signs God gave to Saul as he stepped into his new role, and what did each sign mean? ([27:59])
4. How did Saul react when Samuel told him that all of Israel’s hopes were focused on him? ([23:41])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God allowed Israel to have a king, even though it wasn’t His original plan for them? What does this reveal about God’s character? ([19:23])
2. How does Saul’s initial humility contrast with what we know about his later life? What might this say about the dangers of misplaced trust or pride? ([23:41])
3. What do the three signs given to Saul (the found donkeys, the bread from strangers, and the Spirit coming upon him) teach us about how God interacts with His people? ([27:59])
4. In what ways does God’s faithfulness show up, even when His people reject Him or make poor choices? ([36:27])
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### Application Questions
1. The Israelites wanted a king to be like everyone else. Are there areas in your life where you’re tempted to seek security or identity in something other than God? What are they, and how can you shift your trust back to Him? ([19:23])
2. Saul worried about the lost donkeys, but God had already solved the problem. Is there a situation in your life right now that feels out of control? How can you trust that God is already at work, even if you can’t see it? ([29:16])
3. God provided for Saul’s needs in an unexpected way—through strangers offering bread. Can you think of a time when God provided for you in a way you didn’t expect? How did that experience shape your faith? ([31:24])
4. Saul was empowered by God’s Spirit to do something he couldn’t do on his own. Is there something you feel God is calling you to do that feels beyond your ability? What would it look like to rely on God’s power instead of your own? ([32:29])
5. God’s invitation to Saul was simple: “Just follow Me.” What does following God look like for you this week? Is there a specific step of obedience or trust you sense God asking you to take? ([38:08])
6. The sermon mentioned praying for students and leaders going to camp, trusting God to move in their lives. Who is someone in your life you can commit to praying for this week, asking God to work powerfully in them? ([39:57])
7. When have you experienced the consequences of a choice that wasn’t God’s best for you? How did God show His faithfulness to you in that season? ([16:09])
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Close in prayer, asking God to help your group trust His faithfulness, rely on His Spirit, and follow Him wholeheartedly this week.
Devotional
Day 1: Any King Other Than God Will Fail Us
When the Israelites demanded a human king, they were not just seeking leadership—they were rejecting God as their true King and choosing to follow the ways of the world instead of trusting in His perfect rule. This decision was rooted in a desire to be like everyone else, ignoring the unique relationship they had with God and the warnings He gave about the consequences of their choice. The story reminds us that whenever we put our hope in anything or anyone other than God, we will ultimately be disappointed, because only God can truly lead, protect, and fulfill us. [16:09]
1 Samuel 8:19-22 (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.' And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Obey their voice and make them a king.' Samuel then said to the men of Israel, 'Go every man to his city.'"
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you are looking to something or someone other than God for security or fulfillment? What would it look like to surrender that to Him today?
Day 2: God Can Solve Your Problems
God assured Saul that the problems he would face as king—no matter how big or small—were not beyond God’s ability to handle. Just as God orchestrated the return of the lost donkeys and calmed Saul’s father’s worries, He is able to address the challenges and anxieties that weigh on our hearts. We are invited to trust that God is not only aware of our struggles but is also more than capable of bringing resolution, comfort, and peace in His perfect timing. [29:16]
1 Samuel 10:2 (ESV)
"When you depart from me today, you will meet two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah, and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys that you went to seek are found, and now your father has ceased to care about the donkeys and is anxious about you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?”’"
Reflection: What is one specific problem or worry you are facing right now? Will you bring it honestly to God and trust Him to handle it?
Day 3: God Will Provide for Your Needs
As Saul set out with no food and little hope, God arranged for him to receive bread from strangers, demonstrating His name as Jehovah Jireh—the Lord who provides. God’s provision is not limited by our circumstances or resources; He is able to meet our needs in unexpected ways when we rely on Him. No matter what you are lacking today—whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual—God invites you to trust Him as your provider, confident that He cares for every detail of your life. [31:24]
1 Samuel 10:3-4 (ESV)
"Then you shall go on from there farther and come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept from their hand."
Reflection: Where do you feel a sense of lack or need today? How can you invite God to be your provider in that area?
Day 4: God Can Do Through You What You Cannot Do Alone
God promised Saul that His Spirit would come upon him, empowering him to do things he could never do on his own—like prophesying and leading a nation. In the same way, God’s Spirit enables us to accomplish things far beyond our natural abilities, whether it’s sharing our faith, loving others sacrificially, or stepping into new callings. When we rely on God’s power instead of our own strength, we experience transformation and see Him work in ways we never thought possible. [32:29]
1 Samuel 10:5-6 (ESV)
"After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim, where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man."
Reflection: What is one thing you feel God is calling you to do that feels impossible in your own strength? How can you depend on His Spirit to empower you today?
Day 5: God Is Forever Faithful—Just Follow Him
Even when the Israelites rejected Him, God remained faithful, promising to be with Saul and asking only for obedience and trust in return. God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our perfection; He continually invites us to walk with Him, to trust His promises, and to follow His ways. As we choose to follow God, we experience His presence, provision, and power, and we are reminded that He is always good, always kind, and always faithful—no matter what. [38:08]
Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV)
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to renew your commitment to follow God’s leading and trust in His faithfulness? What is one step you can take today to walk more closely with Him?
Quotes
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