Up until this point we’ve had various characters called to lead God’s people, whether out of comfort, out of slavery, through a famine that threatens their survival, into battle, and into the promised land. Once they got to the promised land people began to live however they wanted, and elevated Self to the highest authority. They “did whatever was right in their own eyes.”

We’re told that’s because Israel didn’t yet have a King.

Then the people envied the surrounding nations and longed for a king just like all the others. Their first king Saul lived for himself first, doing whatever was right in his own eyes.

Samuel anointed Saul as king, against his better judgment. From youth he had heard from God, who spoke to him and made him the last of the judges and the next great prophet. The boy was dedicated to God and lived in His presence at the temple. When God spoke, Samuel listened and obeyed all the way. Notice how different the faithful prophet was from the new king.

Saul prayed like this: God please do this thing that would make me happy!

Samuel prayed like this: What would make you happy, oh LORD? 

EPIC Samuel & Saul

Message title: Samuel & Saul: Living in God’s Presence
Week 13 of EPIC series (following the Hero of God’s Story)
Scripture: 1st Samuel 1-3
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 4/6/14

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Scripture readings: 

1st Samuel 1:21-28

21 The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow.22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.” 23 Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. 24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”

And he worshiped the Lord there.

1st Samuel 3:1-14

3:1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.

At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.

Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.

And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”

See related message God Finally Speaks: Not One Word Falls to the Ground (on 1st Samuel 3)

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