LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF KING SAUL (PART 6)

TEXT

 "Rebuke publicly all those who commit sins, so that the rest may be afraid." (1st Timothy 5 verse 20,  Good News Translation).

Today, let's focus on the man Samuel. He was the priest and prophet of God whom the Lord used to fish out Saul as the one he should anoint to be captain over Israel (see 1st Samuel 9 verse 15 to 17). In 1st Samuel 10 verses 1 to 9, we see Samuel anointing Saul as king after which he prophesied, telling him the things that would happen to him thereafter.

     When Saul was anointed king, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him (1st Samuel 10 verse 6, 11 verse 6) and he did well before God, albeit, for a few years  (see 1st Samuel 13 verse 1). Soon after, he began to fumble and bungle in his relationship with the Lord. The major problem he had was with keeping to the Lord's instructions to him.

   It's worthy of note that at that time, God would instruct Saul through Prophet Samuel. We know that Samuel had told Saul that following the Spirit of God coming upon him, and with the signs given by Samuel coming to pass, he could do as occasion served him because it showed that God was with him (see 1st Samuel 10 verses 6 to 7). But it must be emphasized that when it came to express and clear instructions from God through prophet Samuel, Saul had no latitude, freedom or license whatsoever to do as occasion served him, but to obey the instructions given to him by Samuel.

     Unfortunately, Saul violated and goofed with respect to Samuel's instructions and God was not only angry with him, it was such that his disobedience cost him the kingdom. In 1st Samuel 15 verse 10, the Bible says,

"Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments"

   What has caught my fancy in the matter of Prophet Samuel and king Saul is how Samuel was down to earth, and rebuked Saul for his disobedience, though he was king of Israel and a man that commanded enormous power.  Samuel in rebuking Saul was bold and outrightly down-to-earth. He didn't mince words rebuking the king of Israel for his disobedience. Hear him in 1st Samuel 13 verses 13 to 15:

"And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. ..." (see also 1st Samuel 15 verses 16 to 23).

        How many Pastors today will be bold and courageous enough to do so? Do we not act among the flocks of God "with respect of persons" and thereby violate God's Word in James chapter 2 verses 1 to 4? Most times, do we not get "dismayed at their faces", like the Lord instructed Jeremiah not to do? (see Jeremiah 1 verse 17). When an influential member of the Church does something wrong, do we rebuke him the same way as we would do to an ordinary or lowly member of the congregation? Do we not show partiality, "preferring one before another"? (see 1st Timothy 5 verse 21)

     Brethren, Prophet Samuel is a good example for us to emulate, especially in these last days . Let's stop acting out of fear or favor when it comes to dealing with those that God has entrusted to us in ministry and it will be well with us, in Jesus name.

PRAYER:

Father, help me to be bold and not to show partiality, preferring one person to another as I relate to people in ministry and in life, in Jesus name.