WEBVTT 00:00:00.020 --> 00:00:06.640 God never breaks a promise. This is the LifeSpring One Year Bible Rewind and coming to you from 00:00:06.820 --> 00:00:12.960 Riverside, California and podcasting since 2004. I'm Steve Webb, your OG Godcaster. This is the 00:00:13.170 --> 00:00:16.800 podcast that comes to you every day and we're reading the entire Bible together in a year. 00:00:17.030 --> 00:00:23.040 I'm so glad you're here. Welcome. The website is lifespringmedia.com. Today is National Rubber 00:00:23.240 --> 00:00:28.460 Ducky Day. You know, the rubber ducky has survived trends, technology, and toddlers. 00:00:28.880 --> 00:00:30.160 You gotta respect that. 00:00:30.820 --> 00:00:31.780 And it's History Tuesday. 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:34.320 We'll read 1 Samuel 11 through 15. 00:00:35.080 --> 00:00:37.440 After my comments, we'll have on this date in church history. 00:00:37.540 --> 00:00:40.640 And remember that I'll be recording Wednesday's episode later today. 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:44.720 So if you have a praise report or a prayer request that you'd like to share, 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:50.640 stop this episode right now and go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com and fill out that form. 00:00:51.100 --> 00:00:53.580 Or email me at steve at lifespringmedia.com. 00:00:53.800 --> 00:00:58.800 Or call or text the Lifespring Family Hotline at 951-732-8511. 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:00.240 Okay, go do it now. 00:01:00.740 --> 00:01:01.980 I'll be here when you get back. 00:01:02.360 --> 00:01:04.180 All right, now that you're back, let's begin. 00:01:04.379 --> 00:01:08.020 Our Heavenly Father, as we read your word today, I pray God that you would teach us. 00:01:08.260 --> 00:01:09.000 Touch our hearts, Lord. 00:01:09.560 --> 00:01:12.320 Give us something to take with us and make a part of our lives. 00:01:12.660 --> 00:01:14.040 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:01:14.720 --> 00:01:14.820 Amen. 00:01:17.140 --> 00:01:18.759 1 Samuel chapter 11 00:01:20.500 --> 00:01:26.300 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh-Gilead, and all the men of Jabesh 00:01:26.540 --> 00:01:32.400 said to Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you. And Nahash the Ammonite answered 00:01:32.520 --> 00:01:37.740 them, On this condition I will make a covenant with you, that I may put out all your right eyes, 00:01:38.100 --> 00:01:44.100 and bring reproach on all Israel. Then the elders of Jabesh said to him, Hold off for seven days, 00:01:44.340 --> 00:01:47.020 that we may send messengers to all the territory of Israel. 00:01:47.940 --> 00:01:51.260 And then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you. 00:01:52.700 --> 00:01:56.720 So the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the news in the hearing of the people, 00:01:57.040 --> 00:01:59.460 and all the people lifted up their voices and wept. 00:02:00.380 --> 00:02:03.260 Now there was Saul coming behind the herd from the field, 00:02:03.720 --> 00:02:06.640 and Saul said, What troubles the people that they weep? 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:09.380 And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh. 00:02:10.179 --> 00:02:13.040 Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news, 00:02:13.460 --> 00:02:18.500 and his anger was greatly aroused. So he took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces, 00:02:18.940 --> 00:02:22.820 and sent them throughout the territory of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, 00:02:23.660 --> 00:02:28.380 Whoever does not go out with Saul and Samuel to battle, so it shall be done to his oxen. 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:32.540 And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. 00:02:33.600 --> 00:02:37.300 When he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, 00:02:37.720 --> 00:02:41.780 and the men of Judah thirty thousand. And they said to the messengers who came, 00:02:42.340 --> 00:02:47.640 Thus you shall say to the men of Jabesh-Gilead, Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall 00:02:47.880 --> 00:02:53.360 have help. Then the messengers came and reported it to the men of Jabesh, and they were glad. 00:02:54.160 --> 00:02:58.780 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do with us 00:02:59.020 --> 00:03:05.060 whatever seems good to you. So it was, on the next day, that Saul put the people in three companies, 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:10.219 and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and killed the Ammonites until the 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:15.700 heat of the day. And it happened that those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them 00:03:15.700 --> 00:03:22.160 were left together. Then the people said to Samuel, Who is he who said, Shall Saul rule over us? 00:03:22.680 --> 00:03:28.380 Bring the men, that we may put them to death. But Saul said, Not a man shall be put to death this 00:03:28.640 --> 00:03:35.700 day, for today the Lord has accomplished salvation in Israel. Then Samuel said to the people, Come, 00:03:35.860 --> 00:03:41.080 let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there. So all the people went to Gilgal, 00:03:41.560 --> 00:03:47.260 and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they made sacrifices of peace 00:03:47.430 --> 00:03:52.120 offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. 00:03:53.180 --> 00:03:57.660 1 Samuel chapter 12 Now Samuel said to all Israel, 00:03:58.290 --> 00:04:02.480 Indeed, I have heeded your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you. 00:04:02.880 --> 00:04:09.180 Now here is your king walking before you, and I am old and gray-headed, and look, my sons are with you. 00:04:09.920 --> 00:04:13.880 I have walked before you from my childhood to this day. Here I am. 00:04:14.520 --> 00:04:17.180 Witness against me before the Lord and before his anointed. 00:04:17.959 --> 00:04:22.420 Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I cheated? 00:04:23.260 --> 00:04:28.540 Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? 00:04:28.810 --> 00:04:29.940 I will restore it to you. 00:04:30.540 --> 00:04:36.200 And they said, You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man's hand. 00:04:36.920 --> 00:04:41.800 Then he said to them, The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:44.520 that you have not found anything in my hand. 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:46.600 They answered, He is witness. 00:04:47.900 --> 00:04:52.260 Then Samuel said to the people, It is the Lord who raised up Moses and Aaron, 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:54.980 and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:05:00.340 Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord concerning all the 00:05:00.510 --> 00:05:03.480 righteous acts of the Lord which he did to you and your fathers. 00:05:04.660 --> 00:05:10.000 When Jacob had gone into Egypt, and your fathers cried out to the Lord, then the Lord sent Moses 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:14.400 and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place. 00:05:15.260 --> 00:05:19.680 And when they forgot the Lord their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander 00:05:19.690 --> 00:05:24.159 of the army of Hazor, into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king 00:05:24.180 --> 00:05:30.040 of Moab, and they fought against them. Then they cried out to the Lord, and said, We have sinned, 00:05:30.280 --> 00:05:36.140 because we have forsaken the Lord, and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us from 00:05:36.150 --> 00:05:42.160 the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you. And the Lord sent Jeroboam, Bedan, Jephthah, 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:47.080 and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt in 00:05:47.420 --> 00:05:52.040 safety. And when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, 00:05:52.440 --> 00:05:56.360 No, but a king shall reign over us, when the Lord your God was your king. 00:05:57.280 --> 00:06:01.760 Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen, and whom you have desired. 00:06:02.540 --> 00:06:05.120 And take note, the Lord has set a king over you. 00:06:05.820 --> 00:06:11.120 If you fear the Lord and serve him, and obey his voice, and do not rebel against the commandment 00:06:11.220 --> 00:06:16.140 of the Lord, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:17.020 Lord your God. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:22.620 However, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:26.980 then the hand of the Lord will be against you, as it was against your fathers. 00:06:27.700 --> 00:06:32.440 Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes. 00:06:33.440 --> 00:06:34.960 Is today not the wheat harvest? 00:06:35.780 --> 00:06:39.000 I will call to the Lord, and he will send thunder and rain, 00:06:39.480 --> 00:06:42.480 that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, 00:06:42.660 --> 00:06:46.240 which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking a king for yourselves. 00:06:47.840 --> 00:06:53.180 So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people 00:06:53.460 --> 00:06:59.620 greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. And all the people said to Samuel, Pray for your servants to 00:06:59.700 --> 00:07:05.700 the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king 00:07:05.840 --> 00:07:12.360 for ourselves. Then Samuel said to the people, Do not fear, you have done all this wickedness, 00:07:12.780 --> 00:07:17.580 Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 00:07:18.200 --> 00:07:23.460 And do not turn aside, for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, 00:07:23.840 --> 00:07:24.440 for they are nothing. 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:28.700 For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake, 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:31.500 because it has pleased the Lord to make you his people. 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:37.880 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you, 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:40.480 but I will teach you the good and the right way. 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:46.980 Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with your heart, for consider what great things He has 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:53.160 done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king. 00:07:53.720 --> 00:07:55.320 1 Samuel chapter 13 00:07:56.920 --> 00:08:01.360 Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-two years. 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:07.979 Saul selected three thousand special troops from the army of Israel, and sent the rest of the men 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:14.020 home. He took two thousand of the chosen men with him to Michmash in the hill country of Bethel. 00:08:14.860 --> 00:08:19.320 The other thousand went with Saul's son Jonathan to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin. 00:08:20.700 --> 00:08:26.880 Soon after this, Jonathan attacked and defeated the garrison of Philistines at Geba. The news 00:08:27.100 --> 00:08:32.640 spread quickly among the Philistines. So Saul blew the ram's horn throughout the land, saying, 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:39.460 Hebrews, hear this, rise up in revolt. All Israel heard the news that Saul had destroyed the 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:44.720 Philistine garrison at Geba, and that the Philistines now hated the Israelites more than ever. 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:50.240 So the entire Israelite army was summoned to join Saul at Gilgal. 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:57.300 The Philistines mustered a mighty army of 3,000 chariots, 6,000 charioteers, 00:08:57.680 --> 00:09:01.100 and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:04.500 They camped at Michmash east of Beth-Avon. 00:09:05.620 --> 00:09:08.420 The men of Israel saw what a tight spot they were in, 00:09:08.880 --> 00:09:11.000 and because they were hard-pressed by the enemy, 00:09:11.460 --> 00:09:16.240 they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns. 00:09:17.160 --> 00:09:21.760 Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead. 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:27.000 Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear. 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:32.960 Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, 00:09:33.660 --> 00:09:35.580 but Samuel still didn't come. 00:09:36.680 --> 00:09:39.800 Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away, 00:09:40.800 --> 00:09:44.340 so he demanded, Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings, 00:09:45.280 --> 00:09:47.840 and Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself. 00:09:49.620 --> 00:09:53.420 Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. 00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:59.400 Saul went out to meet and welcome him, but Samuel said, What is this you have done? 00:10:00.660 --> 00:10:06.160 Saul replied, I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn't arrive when you said you would, 00:10:06.540 --> 00:10:11.840 and the Philistines are at Michmash ready for battle. So I said, The Philistines are ready to 00:10:11.940 --> 00:10:17.180 march against us at Gilgal, and I haven't even asked for the Lord's help. So I felt compelled 00:10:17.420 --> 00:10:23.420 to offer the burnt offering myself before you came. How foolish! Samuel exclaimed. 00:10:23.780 --> 00:10:29.460 You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have 00:10:29.680 --> 00:10:35.680 established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:41.080 out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, 00:10:41.540 --> 00:10:47.600 because you have not kept the Lord's command. Samuel then left Gilgal and went on his way, 00:10:47.930 --> 00:10:53.740 but the rest of the troops went with Saul to meet the army. They went up from Gilgal to Gibeah 00:10:53.760 --> 00:10:59.800 the land of Benjamin. When Saul counted the men who were still with him, he found only six hundred 00:10:59.850 --> 00:11:06.300 were left. Saul and Jonathan and the troops with them were staying at Geba in the land of Benjamin. 00:11:07.560 --> 00:11:13.540 The Philistines set up their camp at Michmash. Three raiding parties soon left the camp of the 00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:19.780 Philistines. One went north toward Aphra in the land of Shul, another went west to Beth-horon, 00:11:20.040 --> 00:11:24.040 and the third moved toward the border above the valley of Zeboiom near the wilderness. 00:11:25.220 --> 00:11:28.040 There were no blacksmiths in the land of Israel in those days. 00:11:28.670 --> 00:11:32.760 The Philistines wouldn't allow them for fear they would make swords and spears for the Hebrews. 00:11:33.680 --> 00:11:38.380 So whenever the Israelites needed to sharpen their plowshares, picks, axes, or sickles, 00:11:38.710 --> 00:11:41.000 they had to take them to a Philistine blacksmith. 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:43.400 The charges were as follows. 00:11:44.090 --> 00:11:48.020 A quarter of an ounce of silver for sharpening a plowshare or a pick, 00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:52.720 and an eighth of an ounce for sharpening an axe or making the point of an ox goad. 00:11:53.260 --> 00:11:57.220 So on the day of the battle, none of the people of Israel had a sword or spear, 00:11:57.940 --> 00:12:04.680 except for Saul and Jonathan. The pass at Michmash had meanwhile been secured by a contingent of the 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:11.640 Philistine army. 1 Samuel 14. One day Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:15.380 Come on, let's go over to where the Philistines have their outpost. 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:18.760 But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing. 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:23.680 Meanwhile, Saul and his six hundred men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:26.080 around the pomegranate tree at Migron. 00:12:26.800 --> 00:12:31.940 Among Saul's men was Ahijah the priest, who was wearing the ephod, the priestly vest. 00:12:32.800 --> 00:12:37.760 Ahijah was the son of Ichabod's brother Ahitab, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, 00:12:38.390 --> 00:12:40.800 the priest of the Lord who had served at Shiloh. 00:12:41.880 --> 00:12:45.460 No one realized that Jonathan had left the Israelite camp. 00:12:46.660 --> 00:12:52.640 To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs that were called 00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:58.980 Bozes and Sina. The cliff on the north was in front of Michmash, and the one on the south was 00:12:58.990 --> 00:13:05.320 in front of Geba. Let's go across to the outpost of those pagans, Jonathan said to his armor-bearer. 00:13:05.940 --> 00:13:11.219 Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:18.020 has many warriors or only a few. Do what you think is best, the armor-bearer replied. I am with you 00:13:18.280 --> 00:13:24.380 completely, whatever you decide. All right then, Jonathan told him. We will cross over and let 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:30.840 them see us. If they say to us, stay where you are or we'll kill you, then we'll stop and not go up 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:37.299 to them. But if they say, come on up and fight, then we will go up. That will be the Lord's sign 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:42.400 that he will help us defeat them. When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, 00:13:42.900 --> 00:13:48.360 Look, the Hebrews are crawling out of their holes. Then the men from the outpost shouted to Jonathan, 00:13:48.880 --> 00:13:54.260 Come on up here and we'll teach you a lesson. Come on, climb right behind me, Jonathan said to his 00:13:54.420 --> 00:14:00.600 armor-bearer, for the Lord will help us defeat them. So they climbed up using both hands and feet, 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:06.060 and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed those who came behind them. 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:11.580 They killed some twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre. 00:14:12.560 --> 00:14:17.160 Suddenly, panic broke out in the Philistine army, both in the camp and in the field, 00:14:17.760 --> 00:14:20.280 including even the outposts and raiding parties. 00:14:21.040 --> 00:14:24.400 And just then an earthquake struck, and everyone was terrified. 00:14:25.780 --> 00:14:29.240 Saul's lookouts in Gibeah of Benjamin saw a strange sight. 00:14:29.560 --> 00:14:33.420 The vast army of Philistines began to melt away in every direction. 00:14:34.560 --> 00:14:37.260 Call the roll and find out who's missing, Saul ordered. 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:42.020 And when they checked, they found that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were gone. 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:46.400 Then Saul shouted to Ahijah, Bring the ephod here. 00:14:46.880 --> 00:14:50.620 For at that time Ahijah was wearing the ephod in front of the Israelites. 00:14:51.900 --> 00:14:53.980 But while Saul was talking to the priest, 00:14:54.420 --> 00:14:57.680 the confusion in the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. 00:14:58.460 --> 00:15:01.780 So Saul said to the priest, Never mind, let's get going. 00:15:02.640 --> 00:15:07.920 Then Saul and all his men rushed out to the battle and found the Philistines killing each other. 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:10.500 There was terrible confusion everywhere. 00:15:11.550 --> 00:15:14.920 Even the Hebrews, who had previously gone over to the Philistine army, 00:15:15.300 --> 00:15:19.320 revolted and joined in with Saul, Jonathan, and the rest of the Israelites. 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:24.420 Likewise, the men of Israel, who were hiding in the hill country of Ephraim, 00:15:24.880 --> 00:15:27.780 joined the chase when they saw the Philistines running away. 00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:34.660 So the Lord saved Israel that day, and the battle continued to rage even beyond Beth-Avon. 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:40.760 Now the men of Israel were pressed to exhaustion that day, because Saul had placed them under an 00:15:40.890 --> 00:15:47.780 oath, saying, Let a curse fall on anyone who eats before evening, before I have full revenge on my 00:15:48.040 --> 00:15:54.359 enemies. So no one ate anything all day, even though they had all found honeycomb on the ground 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:59.860 in the forest. They didn't dare touch the honey because they all feared the oath they had taken. 00:16:01.280 --> 00:16:06.340 But Jonathan had not heard his father's command, and he dipped the end of his stick into a piece 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:12.640 of honeycomb and ate the honey. After he had eaten it, he felt refreshed. But one of the men 00:16:12.900 --> 00:16:18.499 saw him and said, Your father made the army take a strict oath that anyone who eats food today 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:25.260 will be cursed. That is why everyone is weary and faint. My father has made trouble for us all, 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:31.980 Jonathan exclaimed. A command like that only hurts us. See how refreshed I am now that I have eaten 00:16:32.140 --> 00:16:37.100 this little bit of honey. If the men had been allowed to eat freely from the food they found 00:16:37.170 --> 00:16:43.379 among our enemies, think how many more Philistines we could have killed. They chased and killed the 00:16:43.400 --> 00:16:49.240 Philistines all day from Michmash to Aijalon, growing more and more faint. That evening they 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:54.680 rushed for the battle plunder and butchered the sheep, goats, cattle, and calves, but they ate 00:16:54.700 --> 00:17:00.640 them without draining the blood. Someone reported to Saul, Look, the men are sinning against the 00:17:00.640 --> 00:17:07.199 Lord by eating meat that still has blood in it. That is very wrong, Saul said. Find a large stone 00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:12.240 and roll it over here. Then go out among the troops and tell them, Bring the cattle, sheep, 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:18.280 and goats here to me. Kill them here and drain the blood before you eat them. Do not sin against 00:17:18.290 --> 00:17:23.959 the Lord by eating meat with the blood still in it. So that night all the troops brought their 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:29.960 animals and slaughtered them there. Then Saul built an altar to the Lord. It was the first of 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:36.799 the altars he built to the Lord. Then Saul said, Let's chase the Philistines all night and plunder 00:17:36.820 --> 00:17:43.800 them until sunrise. Let's destroy every last one of them. His men replied, We'll do whatever you 00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:52.460 think is best. But the priest said, Let's ask God first. So Saul asked God, Should we go after the 00:17:52.560 --> 00:17:59.500 Philistines? Will you help us defeat them? But God made no reply that day. Then Saul said to the 00:17:59.600 --> 00:18:05.720 leaders, Something's wrong. I want all my army commanders to come here. We must find out what 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:11.720 sin was committed today. I vow by the name of the Lord who rescued Israel that the sinner will surely 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:17.960 die, even if it is my own son Jonathan. But no one would tell him what the trouble was. 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:24.580 Then Saul said, Jonathan and I will stand over here, and all of you stand over there. 00:18:25.600 --> 00:18:32.260 And the people responded to Saul, whatever you think is best. Then Saul prayed, O Lord, 00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:38.680 God of Israel, please show us who is guilty and who is innocent. Then they cast sacred lots, 00:18:39.300 --> 00:18:44.760 and Jonathan and Saul were chosen as the guilty ones, and the people were declared innocent. 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:50.560 Then Saul said, Now cast lots again and choose between me and Jonathan. 00:18:51.760 --> 00:18:57.720 And Jonathan was shown to be the guilty one. Tell me what you have done, Saul demanded of Jonathan. 00:18:58.460 --> 00:19:03.900 I tasted a little honey, Jonathan admitted. It was only a little bit on the end of my stick. 00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:11.700 Does that deserve death? Yes, Jonathan, Saul said. You must die. May God strike me and even 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:16.980 kill me if you do not die for this. But the people broke in and said to Saul, 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:24.160 Jonathan has won this great victory for Israel. Should he die? Far from it. As surely as the Lord 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:29.760 lives, not one hair on his head will be touched, for God helped him do a great deed today. 00:19:30.670 --> 00:19:36.860 So the people rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death. Then Saul called back the army from 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:43.580 chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines returned home. Now when Saul had secured his 00:19:43.910 --> 00:19:49.740 grasp on Israel's throne, he fought against his enemies in every direction—against Moab, 00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:56.920 Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he turned, he was victorious. 00:19:57.720 --> 00:20:02.920 He performed great deeds and conquered the Amalekites, saving Israel from all those who 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:11.020 had plundered them. Saul's sons included Jonathan, Ish-bosheth, and Melchishua. He also had two 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:18.180 daughters, Merab, who was older, and Michael. Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. 00:20:18.900 --> 00:20:23.400 The commander of Saul's army was Abner, the son of Saul's uncle Ner. 00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:30.140 Saul's father, Kish, and Abner's father, Ner, were both sons of Abiel. 00:20:31.340 --> 00:20:35.640 The Israelites fought constantly with the Philistines throughout Saul's lifetime. 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:42.020 So whenever Saul observed a young man who was brave and strong, he drafted him into his army. 00:20:42.780 --> 00:20:44.419 1 Samuel 15 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:51.660 Then Samuel said to Saul, I was the one the Lord sent to anoint you as king over his people Israel. 00:20:52.290 --> 00:20:56.040 Now listen to what the Lord says. Here is what the Lord of hosts says. 00:20:56.800 --> 00:21:01.880 I carefully observed how the Amalekites opposed Israel along the way when Israel came up from 00:21:01.970 --> 00:21:08.359 Egypt. So go now and strike down the Amalekites. Destroy everything that they have. Don't spare 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:15.380 them, put them to death, man, woman, child, infant, ox, sheep, camel, and donkey alike. 00:21:16.560 --> 00:21:21.320 So Saul assembled the army and mustered them at Talaim. There were two hundred thousand foot 00:21:21.540 --> 00:21:26.860 soldiers and ten thousand men of Judah. Saul proceeded to the city of Amalek, where he set 00:21:26.860 --> 00:21:33.380 an ambush in the wadi. Saul said to the Kenites, Go on and leave. Go down from among the Amalekites, 00:21:33.800 --> 00:21:35.660 Otherwise I will sweep you away with them. 00:21:36.100 --> 00:21:39.400 After all, you were kind to all the Israelites when they came up from Egypt. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:42.820 So the Kenites withdrew from among the Amalekites. 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:48.740 Then Saul struck down the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, which is next to Egypt. 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:55.500 He captured King Agag of the Amalekites alive, but he executed all Agag's people with the sword. 00:21:56.060 --> 00:22:02.600 However, Saul and the army spared Agag, along with the best of the flock, the cattle, the fatlings, and the lambs, 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:07.280 as well as everything else that was of value. They were not willing to slaughter them, 00:22:07.760 --> 00:22:10.600 but they did slaughter everything that was despised and worthless. 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:17.700 Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel, I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away 00:22:17.850 --> 00:22:24.260 from me and has not done what I told him to do. Samuel became angry and cried out to the Lord all 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:31.259 that night. Then Samuel got up early to meet Saul the next morning, but Samuel was informed, Saul 00:22:31.280 --> 00:22:36.500 has gone to Carmel, where he is setting up a monument for himself. Then Samuel left and went 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:42.460 down to Gilgal. When Samuel came to him, Saul said to him, May the Lord bless you. I have done 00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:49.380 what the Lord said. Samuel replied, If that is the case, then what is the sound of sheep in my ears 00:22:49.600 --> 00:22:55.300 and the sound of cattle that I hear? Saul said, They were brought from the Amalekites. The army 00:22:55.540 --> 00:23:00.019 spared the best of the flocks and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord our God, but everything 00:23:00.040 --> 00:23:06.380 else we slaughtered. Then Samuel said to Saul, Wait a minute. Let me tell you what the Lord 00:23:06.560 --> 00:23:13.520 said to me last night. Saul said to him, Tell me. Samuel said, Is it not true that when you were 00:23:13.780 --> 00:23:19.920 insignificant in your own eyes, you became head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord chose you as king 00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:26.160 over Israel. The Lord sent you on a campaign, saying, Go and exterminate those sinful Amalekites. 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:28.560 Fight against them until you have destroyed them. 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.500 Why haven't you obeyed the Lord? 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:33.640 Instead, you have greedily rushed upon the plunder. 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:36.300 You have done what is wrong in the Lord's estimation. 00:23:37.760 --> 00:23:38.980 Then Saul said to Samuel, 00:23:39.790 --> 00:23:40.880 But I have obeyed the Lord. 00:23:41.280 --> 00:23:43.360 I went on the campaign the Lord sent me on. 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:48.260 I brought back King Agag of the Amalekites after exterminating the Amalekites. 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:51.660 But the army took from the plunder some of the sheep and cattle, 00:23:52.040 --> 00:23:53.800 the best of what was to be slaughtered, 00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:56.480 to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal. 00:23:57.520 --> 00:23:58.560 Then Samuel said, 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:04.520 Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as He does in obedience? 00:24:05.540 --> 00:24:08.020 Certainly obedience is better than sacrifice. 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:11.280 Paying attention is better than the fat of rams. 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:17.140 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and presumption is like the evil of idolatry. 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:22.020 Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king. 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:24.340 Then Saul said to Samuel, 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:29.780 I have sinned, for I have disobeyed what the Lord commanded in what you said as well, 00:24:30.340 --> 00:24:33.220 for I was afraid of the army, and I followed their wishes. 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:35.560 Now please forgive my sin. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:38.240 Go back with me so I can worship the Lord. 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:40.740 Samuel said to Saul, 00:24:41.470 --> 00:24:44.760 I will not go back with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord, 00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:48.040 and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel. 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:53.300 When Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed the edge of his robe and it tore. 00:24:54.520 --> 00:24:59.680 Samuel said to him, The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day, and has given it to 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:04.680 one of your colleagues who is better than you. The preeminent one of Israel does not go back on his 00:25:04.820 --> 00:25:11.080 word or change his mind, for he is not a human being who changes his mind. Saul again replied, 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:16.960 I have sinned, but please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel. 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:23.500 Go back with me so I may worship the Lord your God. So Samuel followed Saul back, 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:29.980 and Saul worshipped the Lord. Then Samuel said, Bring me King Agag of the Amalekites. 00:25:30.590 --> 00:25:35.460 So Agag came to him, trembling, thinking to himself, Surely death is bitter. 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:42.680 Samuel said, Just as your sword left women childless, so your mother will be most bereaved 00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:48.040 among women. Then Samuel hacked Agag to pieces there in Gilgal before the Lord. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:53.200 Then Samuel went to Ramah, while Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. 00:25:54.260 --> 00:25:57.380 Until the day he died, Samuel did not see Saul again. 00:25:58.280 --> 00:26:04.000 Samuel did, however, mourn for Saul, but the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel. 00:26:06.600 --> 00:26:08.820 Let's take a closer look at chapter 12, shall we? 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:15.500 Have you ever sinned in such a way that you felt that God would be so disappointed in you that he would turn his back on you? 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:28.100 Have you felt that you just couldn't come to him for forgiveness because you knew going in that what you were about to do was sin, but you did it anyway, and you were just too ashamed to ask God for his forgiveness? 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:30.640 I think probably most of us have. 00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:34.240 Well, that's what Israel did when they asked for a king. 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:39.140 Samuel told them that this was a bad thing that they were doing, but they wanted it anyway. 00:26:40.020 --> 00:26:41.120 Well, you know how it went. 00:26:41.560 --> 00:26:47.220 God told Samuel to go ahead and grant their request because they were rejecting God, not Samuel. 00:26:48.260 --> 00:26:53.600 So here in chapter 12, Samuel reminds Israel of all the good things that God had done for Israel, 00:26:54.060 --> 00:26:59.060 how he had delivered them so many times, and he reminded them that in asking for a king, 00:26:59.300 --> 00:27:03.920 they had sinned. This caused them to plead to Samuel that he would pray for them, 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:08.939 that they would not die because of their sin. And Samuel's response is what I want to bring 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:15.080 to your attention today. Here's what he said. Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness, 00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:20.840 yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:25.940 not turn aside, for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:31.400 for they are nothing. And then here's the important part. For the Lord will not forsake 00:27:31.520 --> 00:27:37.600 his people for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you his people. 00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:45.220 So what Samuel is telling them is that God decided to make them his people. And because of that 00:27:45.360 --> 00:27:51.240 decision, he will not forsake them. He made a covenant, a promise. If he forsook them, 00:27:51.570 --> 00:27:55.360 it would be breaking that promise. And God never breaks a promise. 00:27:56.380 --> 00:28:02.739 When you became a follower of Jesus, you became one of God's family. I don't have time to go into 00:28:02.760 --> 00:28:09.180 details, but what He did when you became a Christian was a legal, formal adoption. You became His, 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:15.180 and He will no more forsake you when you sin than He would forsake Israel when they sinned. 00:28:15.820 --> 00:28:21.480 So move forward. Forsake your sin, follow the Lord, and serve Him with all your heart. 00:28:22.040 --> 00:28:28.180 You are His son or daughter. Rest in that. Don't let the enemy convince you of the lie that you 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:31.140 have gone too far astray. You haven't. 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:37.920 1 Samuel 12.20 00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:40.260 Then Samuel said to the people, 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:41.340 Do not fear. 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:46.020 You have done all this wickedness, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:48.480 but serve the Lord with all your heart. 00:28:49.080 --> 00:28:50.760 1 Samuel 12.20 00:28:55.879 --> 00:29:00.840 On this date in church history, January 13th, I've got three things for you. 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:05.080 First, in the year 367, Hilary of Poitiers died. 00:29:05.520 --> 00:29:10.220 He lived during the fierce Aryan controversy when the Church wrestled with the identity 00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:11.220 of Jesus Christ. 00:29:12.020 --> 00:29:14.840 While many leaders compromised, Hilary refused. 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:20.440 He defended the full divinity of Christ and the doctrine of the Trinity, even when it 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.500 cost him exile. 00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:27.880 Later generations would call him the Athanasius of the West, which is a reminder that clarity 00:29:28.040 --> 00:29:30.280 about Christ is always worth the cost. 00:29:31.080 --> 00:29:38.740 And second, in 1691, George Fox died in England. Fox challenged what he saw as empty religious 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:44.680 formalism, and he emphasized a living, personal obedience to Jesus through the work of the Holy 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:49.760 Spirit. His ministry led to the founding of the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, 00:29:50.080 --> 00:29:54.100 who are known for their commitment to integrity, to simplicity, and peace. 00:29:54.780 --> 00:30:00.680 And finally, born on this date in 1928, Henry M. Morris would later become a central figure 00:30:01.040 --> 00:30:05.820 in the modern creationist movement. He was trained as an engineer, and he argued that 00:30:05.820 --> 00:30:12.480 the opening chapters of Genesis deserved serious consideration and that views on creation shape 00:30:12.620 --> 00:30:18.080 how Christians understand Scripture itself. I mean, think about it. If Genesis 1 is true, 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:23.679 then any following miracle in the Bible is possible. His work sparked conversation about 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:28.120 faith and science that continue today. And when I worked in the Christian bookselling industry, 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:31.700 we sold a lot of Morris books. Most of them are still available today. 00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:40.680 As I said at the top of the show, if you have a praise report or a prayer request that you'd like 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:46.100 to share, stop the episode right now and go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com and fill out that form. 00:30:46.190 --> 00:30:49.959 I know you thought about doing it before, but do it now. Or you can email me at steve 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:54.260 at lifespringmedia.com or call or text the LifeSpring Family Hotline right here. 00:30:54.420 --> 00:31:01.100 LifeSpring Family Hotline, 951-732-8511. 00:31:01.760 --> 00:31:04.420 If you enjoy the show, tell someone. 00:31:14.820 --> 00:31:19.680 Beloved, our reading today reminds us that belonging to God doesn't remove responsibility. 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:26.960 but it does remove despair. Obedience matters. Repentance matters. And God's covenant faithfulness 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:32.380 to believers in Christ holds us even when we stumble. Until tomorrow, may God bless you 00:31:32.520 --> 00:31:40.080 richly. Thank you so much for being here. I'm Steve Webb. Bye. All the programs in the LifeSpring 00:31:40.320 --> 00:31:45.080 Media family are made possible by your value for value support. Thank you. 00:31:47.100 --> 00:31:54.580 The Lifespring One Year Bible Rewind is a Lifespring Media production hosted by Steve Webb, the OG Godcaster, since 2004.