Saul: The Chosen but Unfavoured King

Part 1

Last Week

• Dare to Be Holy– Who was the First King of Israel?– What did it mean that Israel was a Holy Nation?– What made a Judge different from a king?– What mistake did Israel make in requesting king?

1Sa 8:18-22 NLT 18 When that day comes, you will beg for relief from this king you are demanding, but then the LORD will not help you." 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel's warning. "Even so, we still want a king," they said. 20 "We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle." 21 So Samuel repeated to the LORD what the people had said, 22 and the LORD replied, "Do as they say, and give them a king." Then Samuel agreed and sent the people home.

1Sa 9:1-2 NLT

There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. He was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel--head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.

Saul: The Chosen King

• Saul Kingly Material– The right family– The right looks– The right stature

• Saul was Anointed – With Oil, 1 Sam 10:1, – With Gifting, 1 Sam 10:5-9

Saul: The Unfavoured King

• 1Sa 15:10-11 NLT Then the LORD said to Samuel, 11 "I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to Me and has refused to obey My command." Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the LORD all night.

Saul: The Unfavoured King

1Sa 31:3-6 NLT The fighting grew very fierce around Saul, and the Philistine archers caught up with him and wounded him severely. 4 Saul groaned to his armor bearer, "Take your sword and kill me before these pagan Philistines come to run me through and taunt and torture me." But his armor bearer was afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. 5 When his armor bearer realized that Saul was dead, he fell on his own sword and died beside the king. 6 So Saul, his three sons, his armor bearer, and his troops all died together that same day.

Saul: The Unfavoured King

1Sa 31:8-10 NLT The next day, when the Philistines went out to strip the dead, they found the bodies of Saul and his three sons on Mount Gilboa. 9 So they cut off Saul's head and stripped off his armor. Then they proclaimed the good news of Saul's death in their pagan temple and to the people throughout the land of Philistia. 10 They placed his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths, and they fastened his body to the wall of the city of Beth-shan.

How to Step out of God’s Favour

• Have a Deceitful Heart– 1Sa 15:19-24 NLT Why haven't you obeyed the LORD? Why did you

rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the LORD's sight?" 20 "But I did obey the LORD," Saul insisted. "I carried out the mission He gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. 21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal." 22 But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, He has rejected you as king." 24 Then Saul admitted to Samuel, "Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD's command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.

Next Week

The Characteristics of a Deceitful Heart