1 Samuel Chapter 9 Verses 1 – 2

· Ok, I’m just going to make a point here that is a little bit silly but notice, Saul is like no other in terms of his looks. He’s tall, (overrated – HA!), and described as more handsome than anyone in the world (being a bit dramatic for a purpose). And yet, ladies pay attention, and yet, guys listen up, and yet he causes nothing but problems for the nation!

· What attracts us and what we actually want are sometimes not in agreement with one another. A beautiful man friend or woman friend, take your breath away kind of looks, coupled with a heart of self-seeking, self-protection and self-focus is one of the most tragic traps of life. Good looks fade as a self-serving heart is exposed. And likewise, it will be amazing how extreme beauty is revealed as a humble and grace-filled heart is encountered…

· If being a good king was all about looks and image and appearance then Saul was destined to be the best there ever was… Most certainly not the case. His name, Saul, literally means “requested one,” as he was the king requested by the people, not ordained by God… What we read of him here is that he came from a good family, he had money, looks, and impressive appearance. What we do not read is that he loved the Lord, put others first, had the strength of character to admit when he was wrong, or served the people around him before himself.

· In this case, and really in most cases, perceiving what was not there was far more important than seeing what was there…

1 Samuel Chapter 9 Verses 3 – 4

· Does anyone else find it ironic that the destined people’s choice king is led to their throne by following a bunch of donkeys? An unclean animal! Known for their stubbornness and wandering? It’s just all too ironic!

1 Samuel Chapter 9 Verse 5

· I think this is revealing concerning Saul’s character. It’s not that what he says here is not reasonable or even right… The thing is (at least to me) he is ready to give up on what his father has asked him to do without fulfilling the request. I find that interestingly uncaring. Disrespectful. His father could have sent for him. And until that happened, Saul should have stayed on course… I think we find out in a moment why Saul was really done with this search…

1 Samuel Chapter 9 Verses 6 – 7

· Big boys out of food. In my judgy pants I’m seeing that’s why he wanted to go home… Notice, Saul’s servant knew about the man of God, Saul did not… Perhaps his servant would have made a better king… Turns out a future servant of Saul does end up making a better king!

1 Samuel Chapter 9 Verses 8 – 9

· That’s an interesting side note. Samuel was judging Israel at the time and this is a hint at perhaps one of the changes Samuel instituted. Seers of spirits under the worship of false gods…, but under the guidance of God Most High, Samuel had commanded to be called a prophet as he served the One True God.

1 Samuel Chapter 9 Verses 10 – 14

· Ok I want to teach you a principle that perhaps is controversial and certainly not accepted by all, and that is ok. Whether you accept this as good and right or silly and insignificant, you choose. It says here that the people of the city, not Samuel’s city, the people of their own city, will not eat until the invited prophet of God blesses the meal…

· Here is the principle, take it or leave it…, its simply a principle of proper respect and etiquette, taken from Biblical principle…, when you have a meal, whether at your house, in a restaurant, wherever, it is proper to have the senior servant of God bless the meal. I know that sounds odd, and that’s ok, but it is a humble offering of respect and reverence towards the order and anointing of God.

· If I have Pastor Dave Love, or Pastor Sam Park, or Pastor Dave Pierce to my house for a meal, even though it is my house, there is no way I am just going to pray for the meal. I know that messages a disregard for them in the Lord. I will always ask them to pray for the meal to convey honor toward them, towards the Lord, and in so doing, in my house I deliver humility as a sacrifice to the Lord.

· It not only honors the Lord but it strengthens my own heart in bond with theirs. Jesus said in Luke 14:10, “When you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.” What greater joy than to give honor to my guest of honor who is indeed a prophet to me in my life?

· So many times I have been invited to a meal with someone, and the person who is paying, or the person whose house it is, just breaks off in prayer when it comes time and in that moment I sense a message that they may or may not be aware that they are sending. So, take it or leave it…, now you know.

1 Samuel Chapter 9 Verses 15 – 17

· I love to read how God speaks to Samuel. Some days I hear God just like this, other days, I’m in the flesh. Some days God speaks in my ear, just like He did with Samuel. Other days I’m chasing donkeys to hear from Him… I read this and this is what I want…

· God speaks to Samuel one day in his ear and then on the next day, God confirms again with even greater detail what He said yesterday…

1 Samuel Chapter 9 Verses 18 – 20

· Samuel knew about Saul’s problem without Saul telling him. Saul said he was seeking a seer, not his donkeys. But Samuel was understanding not only by what he saw and heard but by revelation from God. And this was alarming to Saul…

1 Samuel Chapter 9 Verse 21

· A rare moment of humility from Saul…, although not entirely truthful. Verse 1 told us that Saul’s father was a man of power…

1 Samuel Chapter 9 Verses 22 – 27

· It says there that on the top of the house there at dawn that Samuel spoke with Saul. We aren’t given what Samuel said in that conversation… I wish we were. Samuel no doubt spoke life into Saul. That Saul would need the Lord in order to fulfill what he is called to do well…

· Guzik points out a powerful illustration, “Queen Victoria reigned over Great Britain for 64 years. When she was 11 years old, her governess showed her a list of the kings and queens of England with her name added at the end. When she understood what it meant she burst into tears. Then she controlled herself and said solemnly, “I will be good.” Here, Samuel gave Saul the opportunity to say within his heart, “I will be good.””

1 Samuel Chapter 10 Verses 1 – 6

· This is a fantastic word from Samuel. He says that when the Spirit comes upon him and he begins to prophecy, he begins to speak truth, Saul will become another man. Notice, its upon, not within. There is a three-fold distinct ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. Three different types and different times ministries. His first ministry is that He is with everyone, all the time. Saved and unsaved alike. If saved, it’s the ministry of revelation, of helps, of comfort, of guidance. If unsaved it is testimony… Telling at all times of the truth of Jesus Christ… Some ears grow dull to what has been heard many times and also ignored many times…

· John 14:15-17, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you…, and will be in you.” The second ministry of the Holy Spirit. To be within the heart of hearts of a person… This is the moment of salvation. An open heart to receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

· John 20:21-22, “So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”” Many Christians stop here, but there is clearly Biblically a third ministry, separate and distinct of the other two, of the Holy Spirit… Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” So, the Holy Spirit, His three-fold and complete ministry and purpose, is to be with you, to be in you, and then to come upon you!

· His first ministry is given by grace. His second ministry is given by faith. His third ministry is given by demand. For those that have given their hearts and minds over to the things of the Lord and all you want is more of Him so you seek Him. You walk with Him. You press into Him, and the reward is this supernatural conversion from a sheep in the fold to a son or daughter, a king or queen, in the kingdom of God!

· Samuel said that Saul would be turned into another man. That word for turned in the Hebrew is literally overthrown! Who he was will be entirely consumed by who he becomes. That is the power of the coming upon of the Holy Spirit!

· He was a donkey seeker and, in a moment, he becomes a prophet of God and a king of a nation. Do you beg God to overthrow you, changing you into one of His own? If not then it won’t happen… That is the position one must be in for the Holy Spirit to come upon you… You get to the point that you want more of Him and less of you…

· This Hebrew phrase is so telling. Saul, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be overthrown in totality, into another, the Hebrew word for another is “further,” and the Hebrew word for man is uncommon, it is the word servant champion… It’s the word husband…, it is someone who is a servant and a champion at the same time. One who protects, serves and takes responsibility for those around him. You become like Jesus!

1 Samuel Chapter 10 Verses 7 – 9

· God gave him another heart? Why? No doubt Saul pondered what Samuel had said and lifted his own heart to God. That’s how it works! There is a receiving of the good news, a heart then opens to the things of God and God does the rest! The pattern is clear. Good news is shared. Heart is open. God gives a new heart. God’s Word comes to pass… And the Holy Spirit comes upon!

1 Samuel Chapter 10 Verses 10 – 27

· God does a great work of grace in the life of Saul and some despise him for it. Just comes with the territory. Look what despising looks like… They threw rocks. Nope. They spit at him. Nope. That’s what we think despising is… Not in God’s eyes. It says here they spoke against him and they brought him no presents… You think you are walking in righteousness…, the truth is if you aren’t serving someone, you’re despising them… That’s the reality in the eyes of God. Those that have not the Holy Spirit upon them don’t see it that way and readily disagree with that in their attitudes and behaviors. Extremely telling…

· But Saul held his peace. He is a different man now. He could have corrected them or rebuked them or called for Samuel to do it, but he has a smidge of wisdom now. Better to rebuke the drywall… You’ll get the same result without additional hate. Wickedness is hardly effectively rebuked by the righteous… Prayer and peace are far more effective…