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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Saul is Anointed as the First King of Israel


Printed Version

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

God will show His people the paths they should follow.

God will show His people the leaders they should follow.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Expect support and opposition if you are God’s chosen leader.

QUESTIONS

Describe how Saul met Samuel from the human perspective and from the divine perspective.

Why were people anointed with oil in Old Testament times?

Review the three signs God gave Saul through the prophet Samuel.

Was it God’s perfect will for Israel to have a king?

How should elders and church leaders be chosen today?

ANSWERS

From the human perspective, Saul was looking for his lost donkeys, but from the divine perspective, God was sending Saul to Samuel to be anointed as the first king of Israel.

To symbolize that the person was set apart for divine service

a. Two men would meet him at Rachel’s tomb and tell him the lost donkeys had been found. b. Three men would meet Saul at the Oak of Tabor, carrying three young goats, three loaves of bread, and a jug of wine. They would give him two loaves of bread. c. When Saul came to Gibeah, a group of prophets would meet him and the Spirit of the Lord would come upon him and he would prophesy.

No, God wanted to be their ruler. But God allowed them to have a king and even chose a king for them.

Elders and church leaders should not be chosen by popular vote. God raises up His chosen leaders and they will be known and shown by the work they are doing. It is the responsibility of God’s people to recognize the leaders that God has raised up.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

The way the Lord lead Saul is generally the way He leads His people today. Not with shooting stars or voices from heaven, but through normal events that confirm the direction we are going as we seek to walk with the Lord, serve Him, and follow His plan for our lives. The three signs God gave Saul can be divided into three categories: a. Circumstances b Needs supplied c Counsel of godly Believers How has God used these ways to show you the path that you should follow.

CHALLENGE

Some valiant men supported King Saul, while other men opposed him. If God has called you to be a spiritual leader in some ministry, don’t quit because there is opposition. Expect support and opposition if you are God’s chosen leader.

KEY VERSES

“Is it not because the LORD has anointed you commander over His inheritance?” 1 Samuel 10:1

“You have today rejected your God, who Himself saved you from all your adversities and your tribulations; and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us!’” 1 Samuel 10:19