Lesson #13

1 SAMUEL 13
Lesson #13
FACING A STRONG ENEMY

• Memory verse: Proverbs 15:8

• Read 1Sam 13:1-7 Saul’s First Sin
• A year after becoming king, Saul raised an army to fight Israel’s enemies.
• After Saul had been king for two years, we come to Saul’s first sin as King.
• The Locations of this event:
• Michmash (currently called Mukhmas)
• This city is 7 minutes north of Jerusalem, and 2,000 feet above sea level on a mountain pass on the way from Bethel to Jericho.
• Gibeah (Gebaa or Jeba)
• This city is 1 ½ miles southwest of Michmash across a deep ravine.
• Gilgal
• This city lies about 15 miles to the east near the Jordan river.
• The Situation:
• Saul was at Michmash with 3000 men.
• Jonathan was at Gibeah with 2,000 men.
• Jonathan attacked and defeated the Philistines at Gibeah in an initial battle..
• Then Saul left Michmash and went to Gilgal while the Philistines regrouped and threatened west of Michmash.
• Saul engaged in minor skirmishes with other weaker enemies like the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, etc.
• The Philistines had 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen.(5)
• The people were so frightened at another pending attack from the Philistines that they fled Michmash toward Gilgal and over the Jordan river.
• What was Saul’s first sin?
• Saul’s sin was pride. He took credit for winning the battle at Gibeah that Jonathan had won.
• Read 1Sam 13:8-14 Saul’s Second Sin
• Saul had an agreement to meet Samuel at Gilgal for worship. (1Sam 10:8)
• Remember that God tests for obedience after leadership is bestowed.
• =1= However, Saul did not go to Gilgal to meet Samuel after he became king. He waited for 2 years until their enemy was about to overcome them. He knew he was in trouble and decided to be obedient.
• Many Christians do exactly the same thing. They come to know Jesus Christ as their savior, and then they do not move forward with the Lord until they face some great crisis in their life.
• Therefore, King Saul is an example of the carnal Christian.
• =2= When he did not immediately find Samuel at Gilgal, he offered the burnt offerings and peace offerings without a priest.
• A small disobedience and neglect of God led to Saul’s second sin as king.
• Saul’s second sin was presumption which is a deeper spiritual pride.
• Why was this so serious a sin?
• Only a priest of Levi was supposed to perform the animal sacrifices.
• God in His great wisdom separated the offices of prophet, priest, and king. One man was not to hold all three offices because Jesus Christ will be the one to hold all three offices.
• What was Saul’s response to being caught in this sin? (11-12)
• Saul responded with expedience and rationalization instead of repentance.
• We all do this…my way, my timing. However a sacrifice is acceptable only when it is accompanied by obedience.
• What were the consequences to Saul’s sin?
• Samuel prophesies that Saul’s reign will not continue, but be cut short. (14)
• Read 1Sam 13:15-23 The Strength of the Philistines
• Notice that Saul’s troops decreased from 3,000 (2) to 600 (15).
• Why were the Philistines such a powerful enemy when their population was not that extensive?
• Their strength came from the use of iron weapons before others around them had iron weapons. In fact in peaceful times, the Israelites depended on the Philistines to sharpen and repair their agricultural tools.
• The Israelites had weapons of bronze which were inferior to the iron weapons of the Philistines.
• The only iron weapons among the Israelites were those of Jonathan and Saul. (22)
• The Spoilers:
• One group was in the northeast, another in the northwest, and another in the south.
• These groups of spoilers would steal and maraud on all sides.
• The purpose of the spoilers was to gradually weaken Israel on all sides.
• Discussion

: What are some parallels in this Philistine battle that relates to the Christian’s life battles against our enemy, Satan?

• The Christian is told that it is necessary to engage in Spiritual warfare. Why? (Eph 6)
• The personal reason:
• Now that the believer has Christ living in him, there is an internal conflict between the old flesh nature and the new nature of Christ. (Rom 7:15-8:2)
• The positional reason:
• Because the believer belongs to Christ, Satan, the enemy of Christ is our enemy as well.(1Pet 5:8-9)
• The preparational reason:
• We are being prepared to rule and to reign with Christ in His millennial kingdom. (2Tim 2:12)
• The battle is against whom?
• The prince of this world (Joh 12:31) and against his throne.
• The god of this age (2Cor 4:4) and against his worship.
• The prince of the power of air (Eph 2:2) and against his authority.
• Satan’s methods and activities:
• He blinds men’s spiritual eyes (2Cor 4:4)
• He changes into an angel of light (2Cor 11:14-15)
• He makes men disobedient (Eph 2;2)
• He accuses believers (Rev 12:10)
• He deceives men (Rev 12:9)
• Sometimes the enemy seems stronger that we are, just as the Philistines seemed stronger than Israel.
• Eph 6:12-17
• Read 1Pet 5:8
• What do you do when the enemy seems stronger?
• Know who you are in Christ and stand on the promises of God in prayer.

HOMEWORK
1 SAMUEL 14
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Application of 1Sam 13
• If you have not been doing spiritual warfare in your prayer time, consider what battles Satan is winning in your life because you have not taken up defense. Write down what battles in your life that need fighting!
• Preparation for 1Sam 14
• Read 1Sam 14:1-15
• Read Heb 13:1
• What do you think the difference is between faith and presumption?
• Read 1Sam 14:16-23
• Why does Saul send for the Ephod? (see Exo 28)
• Read 1Sam 14:24-46
• Why did Saul command such a foolish order?
• Analyze the father/ son relationship.
• Why was Jonathan guilty of sin when he did not know of Saul’s order until after he had eaten the honey?
• Read 1Sam 14:47-52
• What are the characteristics Saul looks for in choosing men to promote?
• What primary characteristics should he have been looking for in order to build a strong kingdom?
• Memory Verse: Romans 8:31