Come Follow Me 25: 1 Samuel 8-10; 13; 15-18

 Come Follow Me Lesson 25: 1 Samuel 8-10; 13; 15-18

Introduction:

The Israelites wanted to be like the other nations and have a king to lead them in their battles. When Goliath of the Philistines challenged the Israelite Army, it wasn’t King Saul that saved them, but a humble little shepherd boy, who had faith in the Lord.

1 Samuel 17:47 Like David, and like all the missionaries of the California Redlands Mission, we need to know …The Battle is the Lord’s!

“And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.”

Personal Study 1 Samuel 8-10:

Chapter 8:

We should not look to have anyone as our King, but the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you allow the Lord to reign over you in your life? Do you let God prevail? 1 Samuel 8:7

How can you show that you want Jesus Christ to be your Eternal King?

Judges 8:22–23; Mosiah 29:1–36 Righteous leaders in the past have pointed people to Christ to be their King. (This actually includes George Washington)

Chapter 9:

God chose Saul and David to be kings through prophecy and revelation. Do you believe that your spiritual leaders have been called of God? Do you believe that you have been called by prophecy and revelation? Articles of Faith 1:5 What blessings come from being called and set apart by the Lord’s authorized servants?

Calling of Saul 1 Samuel 9:15–17 10:1–12 Calling of David 16:1–13

Family

Why did the Lord call Saul and David? David: “If we look at ourselves only through our mortal eyes, we may not see ourselves as good enough. But our Heavenly Father sees us as who we truly are and who we can become”(Elder Uchtdorf). 1 Samuel 16:7

What are some of the good qualities you see in each other?

Chapter 10:

Have you seen others blessed with spiritual power to fulfill their calling? Have you experiences that? verses 9–10

Readings: 1 Samuel 8-10:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/1-sam/8?lang=eng

Samuel’s sons take bribes and pervert judgment—The Israelites seek for a king to rule over them—Samuel rehearses the nature and evils of kingly rule—The Lord consents to give them a king.

Vs 6-7 The Lord will give us the desires of our hearts, even to our own detriment, when we rely on the wisdom of the world over following His will and His council.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/1-sam/9?lang=eng

Saul, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, is a choice and goodly person—He is sent to seek his father’s asses—The Lord reveals to Samuel the seer that Saul is to be king—Saul goes to Samuel and is entertained by him. He starts out right. Power often gets the better of appointed leaders.

Vs 2 Saul was a handsome, tall, and choice young man.

Vs 17-21,27 Samuel is the Lord's Seer. He recognizes that Saul is the one who should be anointed king. Saul does not yet understand Samuel favorable words to him.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/1-sam/10?lang=eng

Samuel anoints Saul to be captain over the Lord’s inheritance—Samuel manifests the gift of seership—Saul prophesies among the prophets, and the Lord gives him a new heart—He is chosen king at Mizpeh.

Vs 1 Samuel anointed Saul.

Vs 6, 9-10 Samuel provided many signs for Saul to witness and recognize in preparation for him to realize being called as a king in Israel. Saul also prophesied with the prophets.

Vs 22-24 Saul must have been very overwhelmed to be called as king. Some accepted his appointment. Others despised him.

Personal Study 1 Samuel 13; 15-18:

When have you found this to be true, that obedience is better than sacrifice? When does sacrifice show obedience?

What does it mean to feel little in your own sight? 1 Samuel 15:17 How can this feeling be helpful to us and how might it be hurtful? What happens when we become to full of ourselves?

How serious is pride (rebellion and stubbornness) to the Lord? 1 Samuel 15:23:
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

2 Nephi 9:28–29 Hearken to counsels of the Lord.

Helaman 12:4–5 Forego pride, and be quick to remember God and hearken to His counsels.

Doctrine and Covenants 121:39–40 Do not let a little power go to your head and ruin the integrity of your heart.

How does it help you to know that the Lord looketh on the heart? 1 Samuel 16:7

How does it help you to know that with the help of the Lord you can overcome any challenge? 1 Samuel 17

Goliath thought that it was an insulting joke for Israel to send David to fight against him. verses 8–10, 43–44

Eliab also thinks that David is a mere shepherd boy and asks why he came at all. verse 28

Saul tells David that he’s only a youth, and that the Philistine had been a man of war since his youth. verse 33

David: David acknowledges he is a youth. He also has a firm testament of the power of the God of Israel. He has been given a portion of that power in his young life in defending his sheep, etc. He has faith that God will bless him and Israel through him. “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied… And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.”

It doesn’t matter what odds are stacked against us, if the Lord is on our side and we are on His.

 

Family: Video David and Goliath

Video of Shepherd Boy David by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

 

David and Jonathan became the best of friends (even though Jonathan would not become king and David would). Jonathan loved David as himself. 1 Samuel 18:1–4

 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/1-sam/13?lang=eng

Saul offers a burnt offering—The Lord rejects him and chooses another captain over His people.

Vs 11-14: We are always blessed when we are obedient. Sometimes we don't understand why our sacrifices aren't accepted; but obedience is always the requirement.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/1-sam/15?lang=eng

Saul is commanded to smite and destroy the Amalekites and all that they have—He saves some animals to sacrifice—Saul is rejected as king and told that to obey is better than sacrifice—Samuel destroys Agag.

Vs 1 Samuel reminds Saul that the Lord chose him to be the king and Samuel anointed him. He tells him clearly to follow all that the Lord says.

Vs 9, 11 Saul ignored the strict commandments of the Lord and did things his own way.

Vs 13-15 Obedience is the best gift that we can give the Lord. With our limited understanding, we might reason that we can give Him something better; but, since everything already belongs to Him, that's impossible.

Vs 21-23 When we choose to following our own thinking and not the commandments of the Lord, we will lose out on many blessings. When have you done this yourself? What has kept you from fully following the directions of the Lord?

Vs 28-29 How often do we press upon the Lord for Him to change His mind, when it is really our mind and our hearts that need changing?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/1-sam/16?lang=eng

The Lord chooses David of Bethlehem as king—He is anointed by Samuel—Saul chooses David as his companion and armor bearer.

Vs 7 Samuel was sent to anoint the new king. He is receiving instruction and guidance from the Spirit. We should look for that too when we look for the Lord's will in His chosen leaders for His church.

Vs 12-13 A humble shepherd boy was anointed to be King of Israel.

Vs 21-23 David became Saul's armorbearer, and he played the harp to sooth Saul.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/1-sam/17?lang=eng

Israel and the Philistines engage in war—Goliath of Gath, a giant, defies Israel and challenges any Israelite to personal combat—David goes against him in the name of the Lord—David slays Goliath with a sling and a stone—Israel defeats the Philistines.

Vs 20-23 David obeyed his father and took provisions to his brothers. Then he heard what Goliath had to say and saw the fear of the armies of Israel.

Vs 26 David was fearless. Others were angry with him for his perceived naivety.

Vs 31-37 David has full confidence in the God of Israel and in His deliverance. Saul allows David to go against Goliath.

Vs 40 What the Lord has given us and blessed us with is more than enough for us to serve Him and His children.

Vs 42-44 Goliath feels mocked to have a boy come out to fight him. This is not the fight he was looking for.

Vs 45-47 David's confidence is in the Lord and the Lord's might, power, and strength. He knows that the Lord will deliver Him from Goliath and deliver Israel from the Philistines.

Vs 49-51 The Lord delivered Goliath into David's hands.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/1-sam/18?lang=eng

Jonathan loves David—Saul sets David over his armies—David is honored by the people, and Saul becomes jealous—David marries Michal, a daughter of Saul.

Vs 1-4 David and Jonathan become lifelong friends, even though the kingdom is given to David and not to Jonathan.

Even though Saul wanted David to die, Jonathan was willing to have David wear his royal clothes.