1 Samuel 15:24-35 (HCSB)24 Saul answered Samuel, “I have sinned. I have transgressed the Lord’s command and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them. 25 Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the Lord.”26 Samuel replied to Saul, “I will not return with you. Because you rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord has rejected you from being king ov...  Read More

1 Samuel 15:10-23  (HCSB)10 Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel, 11 “I regret that I made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions.” So Samuel became angry and cried out to the Lord all night.12 Early in the morning Samuel got up to confront Saul, but it was reported to Samuel, “Saul went to Carmel where he set up a monument for himself. Then...  Read More

1 Samuel 15:1-9 (HCSB)Saul Rejected as King15 Samuel told Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you as king over His people Israel. Now, listen to the words of the Lord. 2 This is what the Lord of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them along the way as they were coming out of Egypt. 3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything ...  Read More

ISRAEL'S FIRST KINGJudge others, especially leaders, by their character, not by their outward appearance.KEY TRUTH: Leaders Should be Judged by Their Character(1 Samuel 9:1-2; 16:6-13)KEY TRUTH: Believers Look to God for Direction, Not to the World(1 Samuel 9:3-10:4)KEY TRUTH: Believers Should be Filled With the Spirit and Submit to God’s Will (1 Samuel 10:5-24)...  Read More

1.  In 1 Samuel 10: 3-8, Samuel gives Saul a list of several very specific things and events that are to happen. Has God ever laid out a plan for you that was very specific? Why do you think sometimes He lays it out very plain, and sometimes it seems like a “learn as you go” plan?2. We talked earlier in the week about how lots of times in our lives our anointing is “secret” and not public or “flas...  Read More

Saul Received as King17 Samuel summoned the people to the Lord at Mizpah 18 and said to the Israelites, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the power of the Egyptians and all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ 19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions. You said to Him, ‘You ...  Read More

1 Samuel 10:9-16  (HCSB)9 When Saul turned around to leave Samuel, God changed his heart, and all the signs came about that day. 10 When Saul and his attendant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God took control of him, and he prophesied along with them. 11 Everyone who knew him previously and saw him prophesy with the prophets asked each other, “What has happened t...  Read More

1 Samuel 9:27-10:8 (HCSB)27 As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the attendant to go on ahead of us, but you stay for a while, and I’ll reveal the word of God to you.” So the attendant went on. 10 Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it out on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Hasn’t the Lord anointed you ruler over His inheritance? 2 Today when you leave m...  Read More

1 Samuel 9:22-26 (HCSB)22 Samuel took Saul and his attendant, brought them to the banquet hall, and gave them a place at the head of the 30 or so men who had been invited. 23 Then Samuel said to the cook, “Get the portion of meat that I gave you and told you to set aside.” 24 The cook picked up the thigh and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, “Notice that the reserve...  Read More

1 Samuel 9:1-21  (HCSB)Saul Anointed King 9 There was an influential man of Benjamin named Kish son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, son of a Benjaminite. 2 He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man. There was no one more impressive among the Israelites than he. He stood a head taller than anyone else. 3 One day the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish wandered off. Kish sai...  Read More

GOD CALLS US TO SERVEBe willing to serve the Lord in response to all He has done for you.KEY TRUTH: God is Looking for a Willing Heart (1 Samuel 3:1-10)KEY TRUTH: God is Looking for a Pure Heart (1 Samuel 3:11-14)KEY TRUTH: God is Looking for a Courageous Heart (1 Samuel 3:15-21)...  Read More

1. What are the consequences (positive and negative) of obedience or disobedience found in our passages this week? What are the consequences (positive and negative) in your own life from obedience and disobedience to God’s instructions to you?2. At what point in God’s call to you do you take action? Do you need all the answers first or do you begin to move obediently despite your confusion? Do you...  Read More