1 Samuel 9,10
Leaders Prep Section
Watch this video, read these notes, and send the pre-written email (below) to your group 2-3 days before you meet.
Notes
God’s people have chosen they don’t want God to be their king. They want to be like other nations…ruled by men.
Group Guide Starts Here
Context of scripture
Over a period of roughly 100 years, God rescued the Israelites out of captivity, gave them a nation, and helped them secure it (to the extent they were willing to secure it). Now, in their ultimate wisdom, the people of God have rejected God as their king and asked for a man to rule them. Over the next 450 years, Israel will be torn apart from all angles. In the end, they will ultimately be surrounded by an army, starve for two years inside their own walls, their king will have his eyes ripped out, and they will be slaves. This is how it all begins.
Read 1 Samuel 9: 1-6, 15-27
The Hebrew word used to describe Saul’s role is “ruler,” which is different from the word for “king.” Saul’s role is more like a captain, meaning he is executing a plan on behalf of a higher power.
To BE a leader, how important is it to LOOK LIKE a leader?
We do not know who the 30 guests were, whether they were supporters of Samuel, future lobbyists waiting for a king, or something else.
Notice God’s role in all of this. The people have rejected God as their king, but God is spearheading the effort to find them a new one. Saul, on the other hand, is doing absolutely nothing to pursue power. He is simply obeying.
What is your definition of leadership? And are leadership qualities enough to have, or should a man aspire to actually lead other people?
Remember early in Samuel’s life, Samuel came to know the “word” of God. He has now passed this onto Saul (v27). From the beginning, there is an opportunity for the people to have a human ruler, but that ruler to act on God’s behalf.
Read 1 Samuel 10: 1-16
It is at this point that Saul is king, although no one knows it yet.
Samuel and Saul are both men and both knowledgeable of the word of God. The only difference is everyone (including Samuel) sees Samuel as a prophet and everyone (including Saul) will see Saul as a ruler.
If you were somehow forced to be a king, what would be your biggest regret about it?
Read 1 Samuel 10: 17-27
Notice the irony: the people have rejected God, but are told they need to present themselves before God to receive a king…and they do. Then, when they can’t find their king, they ask God to help them find him.
Casting lots were often done with stones as a way of selecting one option among many. It’s a visible sign of “what should be” similar to the way we use “heads or tails” today.
Saul, who has a new heart from God and knows the “word” of God, is hiding from being recognized as the new ruler. We do not know whether he is scared, believes that the people are making a mistake by rebelling against God, or something else.
Do you believe Saul wants to be, or is even honored to be king?
Is there a conflict of interest in someone who aspires to hold a position in government yet believes all people should look to God for direction?