11 - Chapter 11 shows how terrible conditions had become in Israel. Nahash allows the men of Jabesh- Gilead to make an appeal for help, clearly believing none will come (verse 3). Saul is found plowing (verse 5), showing that no one was treating him like a royal dignitary. His proclamation as king in chapter 10 seems to have meant little. He will have to show the people he can be a leader. This is exactly what happens (verse 11). Note how Saul gives God credit for the victory and even shows mercy (verse 13). Sadly, that will change too.

12 - Chapter 12 contains Samuel’s farewell address. Samuel acknowledges the transfer of power from himself to Saul (verse 2), while reminding the people that a king will “take” (remember chapter 8) much from them. Verses 6-12 defend God’s actions, showing God as the real leader of the Israelites. He has constantly delivered them, but they want a king instead. Verse 13 is the hinge verse: everything has changed now, but Samuel clarifies that even with a king the issue is still faithfulness. If Israel is not faithful to God a king won’t help them. Verse 17’s sign is time-dependent. Wheat harvest is in June, a time when it is very dry and there is no rain. Rain and thunder during the dry season would be very unusual, and perhaps even a threat to their crops. Verses 24-25 are keenly prophetic of the rest of Israel’s history under kings.

13 - Chapter 13 begins Saul’s reign in earnest. Though the next several chapters will detail some military victories it becomes quickly apparent that Saul is not the right man for the job (note 15:35). His basic problem is illustrated in this chapter: Saul will not submit to God’s instructions as given through Samuel the prophet (note 1 Chron 10:14). Verse 1 reads differently in different translations because the Hebrew here is very difficult and uncertain. Acts 13:21 gives his reign as forty years. What begins as a small victory sud- denly leads to a full-scale war with Philistia, something Israel seems ill-prepared for (verses 6-7). This is Saul’s first real crisis. What will he do? Unfortunately, he blows it - recklessly charging ahead and violating Samuel’s instructions (verses 8-12). What exactly was Saul’s sin? It is not the offering of the sacrifice. The text may mean Saul had a priest to do it (one was there, 14:3). Samuel was not a priest and he offered (7:9); other kings did so also (David, 2 Sam. 24:25, Solomon, 1 Kings 3:15). His sin was his failure to obey the prophet, a sin he commits again in ch. 15. Saul proves that he doesn’t consider himself bound by God’s in- instruction, or subservient to the prophet who speaks for God. David isn’t any less sinless than Saul, but he always obeys prophetic instructions. The chapter concludes by noting how poorly equipped the Israelite army is (verses 19-23). What will happen to Saul’s outnumbered and empty-handed forces? Chapter 14 holds the answer!

Psalm 38

A penitential psalm is a special kind of lament, where the author is appealing to God for help because he has sinned. The help he needs is forgiveness. There are not many of these penitential psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143 compose the usual list). The psalmist begins by saying he is in God’s cross-hairs (verses 1-2) but then reveals it is because of his own doing: he has sinned (verse 3). The result is he is sick (verses 4-8). His sin has isolated him from his companions (verses 10-11). Verse 12 reveals that enemies are plotting against him. In all that is going on, though, David waits on the Lord to forgive, to save and to help (verses 15-22). The psalm ends in confidence, as he openly confesses his sin (verse 18) that God will answer his prayer and “be not far from me!” (verse 21).

9 - Don’t miss the significance of this story to Luke. He tells it three times in this book (chs. 9, 22, and 26). It is a powerful record of how one truly seeking God can make a dramatic change when he realizes he is wrong. Verse 13 finds Ananias (obviously not the Ananias struck dead in ch. 5) arguing with God! God’s patience is amazing. Galatians 1:15-24 tells us that there is a three year time period in between verses 25 and 26. The ability of the church to make a mistake with brethren is also well illustrated in verses 26. Once again Barnabas appears, encouraging and helping (verse 27).