Do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth

1 Samuel 20:1-23

But David took an oath and said, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself, ‘Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.’ Yet as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.” Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you.”

But show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” 

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.” And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.

But if I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, because the Lord has sent you away. And about the matter you and I discussed—remember, the Lord is witness between you and me forever.”

Why?

David and Jonathan made a covenant that even when the Lord has cut off David's enemies from the face of the earth, he will not cut off his kindness from Jonathan's family. David implemented this covenant a few years later.

Jonathan and David are faithful to each other and love each other.  This is a really gentle and righteous covenant.

The relationship between David and Jonathan is an example to us, could we have such good friend in this world? It is uneasy.

How?

Even Saul did many evil things but his son Jonathan did his best to keep his family safe. Jesus is my best friend in this world and forever!

If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed

1 Samuel 19:1-24

But an evil spirit from the Lord came on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the lyre, Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape.

Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.” So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats’ hair at the head.

So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

Why?

Saul envies the name of David greater than he worries he will be replaced in the position of king by David in Juda. So Saul tried to kill David.

Under the blessing of the Lord David is saved but he still needs to suffer the difficulty of Saul, and David knew Saul was anointed by the Lord so he could not kill him.

Under the blessing of the Lord doesn't mean everything is going smoothly, but there are many troubles and difficulties but with our effort and the help of the Lord we will be saved and in peace.

Saul acted evil, so his son Jonathan and daughter Michal helped David escape from Saul.

Because Samuel is walking with the Lord so everyone came with Samuel they also prophesied.

How?

No matter what happens before me, just go with the Lord and trust in the Lord

Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days

1 Samuel 18:17-30

But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.

Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.”

They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.”

When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.

When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.

The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.

Why?

For the Lord is with David, so no matter what evil strategy was done to David, it became success and won more respect from troops and people.

Under the blessing of the Lord, no one can hurt us like David. 

Even though we still suffer many difficulties and troubles in strengthening our faith in the Lord and experiencing the power of the Lord.

Battle success belongs to the Lord, not because of human strength or many. So our career success relies on the Lord instead of our wisdom or effort. 

How?

Fear the Lord and keep humble myself before men and the Lord. For I am a servant of the Lord.

Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul

1 Samuel 17:55-18:16

As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man? Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know. Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.  From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul. So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him. When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.

Why?

Because the Lord was with David and David everything was successful and won the hearts of Israelites. But Saul was afraid David, would take away his kingdom.

Jonathan loves David and gives David everything he has. They made a covenant to take each other.

Saul sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men and led the troops in their campaigns, Saul had this idea to let David be killed in the war, but because of the blessing of the Lord, David did everything had great success.

How?

When the Lord is with us we can do everything smoothly and be blessed and welcome by many people around us.

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves

1 Samuel 17:12-54

Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance[e] from them. They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.

Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 

When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”

“Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?”  He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.

Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.

So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand, he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.

Why?

This was not the war between the uncircumcised Philistines and Israelites but the Lord and the Philistines.

It is the Lord working with David and killing the Philistine giant.

The war is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord's.

How?

Praise the Lord Almighty, the triumph belongs to the Lord!

Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified

1 Samuel 17:1-11

A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.

Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 

On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

Why?

There was a terrifying situation for Goliath; strong had a bronze helmet and coat of scale armor of bronze.

Most of the Israelites and Saul's army were afraid to fight with Goliath.

The worst situation is arranged by the Lord to show the power of God's people. God does not watch the outside features but our hearts.

Because Goliath was like a giant, Saul, and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. All of us are looking at the outside feature.

How?

Keep the heart close to the Lord and fear the Lord, trust in the Lord, and the love of the Lord endure forever.

Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him

 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.

One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.

David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

Why?

Only the Spirit of the Lord can let the evil spirit leave. Because David has the Spirit of the Lord so David can relieve Saul from the evil spirit.

The evil spirit is under the authority of the Lord, for the Lord rejected Saul so let the evil spirit come upon Saul.

Saul needed David so he asked his father to let David remain in Saul's side to serve him. David was pleased by Saul. Can we be pleased with our brothers and sisters in church?

How?

Can I be a welcome person in my company, do I have the Spirit of the Lord to bless others around me? May my mind and my heart keep closer to the Lord!

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart

1 Samuel 16:1-13

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

Why?

Samuel mourned for Saul for he was chosen by the Lord as king of Israel, but he did not listen to the word of the Lord.

Samuel is concerned the danger of anointed another is needed, Saul will kill him.

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. So the Lord is more detailed to watch and judge everyone before Him. So we don't worry or sad about some misunderstanding, the Lord knows all of us.

Anointed David, then David has the Spirit of the Lord on him. This is the cover and love upon David.

Samuel finished his job before the Lord, Samuel anointed Saul and David to assign two kings to the Israelites.

Samuel is an honest servant and does his responsibility as he can before the Lord.

How?

All of us should learn the serving heart and listen to the word of the Lord like Samuel.

To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams

1 Samuel 15:17-35

Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?

But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.

Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”

Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Why?

To obey is better than sacrifice, so obeying and trusting in the Lord is better than worshiping the Lord and donating and attending the activities of churches.

Samuel mourned for Saul, but there was no way to return to the beginning.

Rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the evil of idolatry. 悖逆的罪與行邪術的罪相等；頑梗的罪與拜虛神和偶像的罪相同.

Arrogance: I thought I was better than anyone else and trusted myself more than others. Arrogance is promoting myself, so it is the same as the evil of idolatry, honor myself.

Rebellion from the word of the Lord is like sins of divination, it is a very severe sin.

How?

Obeying the word of the Lord and fearing the Lord is the basic foundation of a Christian.

Listening to the word of the Lord is more important than sacrificing to the Lord

1 Samuel 15:1-16

This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves[b] and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was angry, and he cried out to the Lord all that night.

Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”

Why?
Listening to the word of the Lord is more important than sacrificing to the Lord. Our Lord does not lack anything even the sacrifice. 

v 29 Also, the strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, and he should repent.

Here the Lord said to Samuel: "I regret that I have made Saul king", This is described as a man who has the emotion to mention this issue. The Lord felt sad that the Lord chose Saul as a king.

Serve the Lord and honor God's Holy name is obeying God's commands. Others how much devotion, and how many times worship the Lord are not important.

How?

We are chosen by the Lord and should do our best to serve the Lord and obey the word of the Lord, for God's love endures forever.

As surely as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God’s help

 1 Samuel 14:24-52

That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Mikmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted. They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood. Then someone said to Saul, “Look, the men are sinning against the Lord by eating meat that has blood in it.”

That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Mikmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted. They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood. Then someone said to Saul, “Look, the men are sinning against the Lord by eating meat that has blood in it.”

But the men said to Saul, “Should Jonathan die—he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God’s help.” So the men rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.

After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings[e] of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them. He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them.

Why?
Jonathan ate honey is better than eat meat with blood. Because the troops were hungry and tired because Saul asked them to make an oath and not eat anything during the war.

Unreasonable order makes more severe mistakes and causes his followers to faint.

This victory is begun from Jonathan so the men asked Saul "Never! As surely as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground. Saul makes decisions in his own way instead of the way of the Lord.

How?

Don't make the decision in a hurry but come down and ask the Lord!

for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, weather by many or by few

 1 Samuel 13:16-14:23

Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!” So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened.  So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.

Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.”

Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him.

And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even the raiders trembled, the earth quaked, and it became a very great panic.

So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven.

Why?

Comparing the Israelites and the Philistines, the Philistines were stronger than Saul, and Saul fear to fight with them. But Jonathan first went out to attack the Philistines and made panic among the camp of Philistine.

Because Jonathan braved attacked enemies and asked for the symbol from the Lord, under the blessing of the Lord they defeated the Philistines.

How?

There are not many or by few for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving. Praise the Lord!

I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor

 1 Samuel 13:1-15

Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-[b] two years.

Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.

“What have you done?” asked Samuel. 

Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”

“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

Why?
The problem is Saul had his mind, he couldn't wait for Samuel, could not wait for the Lord. He did not seek the Lord's favor. This is against the word of the Lord said by Samuel.

Samuel was late about seven days, Saul did not know what was going on and the enemies were in front of him, and many of his troops were scattered. Saul is afraid the time is late, he wants to do it by himself so he takes the mission of the High Priest, Samuel.

The situation may cause us to fear and try to find a way to solve it. But usually, there is not the way of the Lord.

I belong to the Lord, so in any circumstances, I must wait for the Lord and listen to God's word then take action.

Do our own job but don't do other's job which is not our responsibility or mission.

How?

Put my way and my hope on the Lord, my God can make better decisions than I do. I confess I am a sinner either and sometimes work like Saul.

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you

 1 Samuel 12:13-25

And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the Lord when you asked for a king.”

Then Samuel called on the Lord, and that same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the Lord and of Samuel.

The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”

 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols.

For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.”

Why?

Samuel let people know they had sinned under the evil of asking for a king, by the sign of thunder and rain on that day of the harvest season.

Samuel is the son of the Lord, a servant of the Lord, so Samuel can speak to the Lord directly.

Surviving way is to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all our hearts.

For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, so as we are chosen from many to be sons of the Lord.

How?

Let my heart fear the Lord, serve him faithfully with all my heart, and consider what great things he has done for us. Praise to the Lord.

even though the Lord your God was your king

 1 Samuel 12:1-15

“You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.” Samuel said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is witness,” they said.

But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the Lord your God was your king.

Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the Lord has set a king over you. If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good! But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.

Why?

The generation of Samuel will end, so Samuel declared the word to warn his people not to forget the Lord their God, and obey God's commands.

Their ancestors were against the Lord and suffered many troubles. Even the Lord listened to their cry and set Saul as their king, obeying the Lord is the essential rule of blessing.

But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors. This has always happened in the history of Israel, and this is the nature of human sins.

How?

The Lord is my leader, friend, shepherd, and king. Do everything to honor the Holy Name of the Lord. 

When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him

 1 Samuel 11:1-15

When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one. When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.’” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated. They said to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you like.”

When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. 

The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.”

Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.” So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.

Why?

For the Lord is with Saul so Saul can lead the whole Israelites and defeat Ammonites. Rescued Gilead and Samuel let Saul renew the kingship.

Because Saul led the Israelites to defeat the Ammonites, so more people subdued Saul and Saul became the king of Israel.

No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel and helped Saul conquer Ammonite, so even there were some scoundrels who said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. it is written in chap 10 verse 26.

How?

When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him. This is the power of the Lord with Saul so he can conquer the enemies.

Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen?

 1 Samuel 10:9-27

As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”

When Samuel had all Israel come forward by tribes, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot.

Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. So they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?”

They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes.

Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.

Why?

Because these words came from the Lord through Samuel told Saul, so everything happened as Samuel said.

Chosen leader of Israel taken by lot is more fair among the 12 tribes of Israel. And Saul was chosen. The result of the lot is in the hands of the Lord either.

Because Samuel's family is small and tribe Benjamin was a small tribe among Israelites, so some scoundrels despised Saul as their king.

When the Holy Spirit came upon Saul, he was changed. Saul has the capability of prophesying and some valiant men whose hearts God had touched accompanied Saul. Saul was not alone, more like a king.

How?

God's chosen is different from human eyes chosen. God's way is beyond our way either.