JUL 28

1 Samuel 13
Memorise 1 Samuel 15:22
“The LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart”

The book of 1 Samuel gives us the transition from the period of the Judges to the period of the Kings (or kingdom). This is an interesting book of contrasts and characters, as we see three main people featured in this book – Samuel, Saul and David. They are three very famous and significant individuals in the history of Israel. Samuel would be remembered as the last judge and first prophet of Israel; Saul the first king but also a failed king who was the last of his line; and David who was God’s choice as successor, the noblest of all the kings of Israel and the line from which the Messiah would come forth. In this book we see the wonderful account of Samuel’s mother, Hannah, praying for his birth, followed by the early years of Samuel. We also read of how Israel clamoured for a king, and the rise and eventual fall and death of the first king, Saul. We also see how the humble shepherd boy, David, rose to prominence and the subsequent persecution that he suffered at the hands of King Saul.

One chapter where we see all three mentioned together is 1 Samuel 13. In this chapter, we are given an interesting insight into what sort of person the three are, and why God approved of or rejected them. God’s rejection of Saul happened early in his reign, not long after he had entered into office. While waiting for Samuel to come to conduct the offerings before the battle, Saul became impatient and decided to take matters into his own hands. As he conducted the offering, Samuel arrived and questioned why he had done so, for as a king he had no right to administer the sacrifices, as that could only be done by the priests. Saul shifted the blame from himself and lied in response. Thus Samuel denounced him: ‘thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God’ (1 Samuel 13:13). God rejected Saul, and His judgment was that the kingdom would be taken from him and given to another. It is at this juncture that David is introduced for the first time, as ‘a man after his (God’s) own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14). In stark contrast to Saul, David would be one who would keep the commandments of God, and seek after Him. Thus we see that Saul was not a true follower of God, and from subsequent accounts of him, he turned out to be a self-seeking wicked murderer.

Dear teen, what sort of person do you strive to be? – One after God’s own heart like David and a faithful prophet like Samuel, or a self-seeking betrayer and unrepentant sinner like Saul?

Thought: Am I a disappointing appointment like Saul?
Prayer: Lord help me to never disappoint You in my service to You.