MEMORY SCRIPTURE
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).
When we experience shortage of godly leaders, mentoring and empowering new leaders is crucial for a better future.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS
Mon. 3: Wanted: Dedicated And Reliable Believers (2 Tim. 2:1-2)
Tue. 4: Wanted: Valiant Soldiers Of Christ (2 Tim. 2:3-4)
Wed. 5: Wanted: First Partakers Of The Fruits (2 Tim 2:5-8)
Thur: 6:Wanted: Resilient Leaders (2 Tim. 2:9-14)
Fri. 7: Wanted: Skilled Interpreters Of The Truth (2 Tim.2:15-18
Sat. 8: Wanted: Vessels For Noble Purposes (2 Tim 2:19-26)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
God will not hesitate to hold accountable a leader who jeopardises H investment in the kingdom.
INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL SOURCE: 1 Samuel 8:1-10; 14:1-14; 18:1-4
Thanks be to God for another week of learning at the feet of Chris where His Word nurtures and brings us delight. Last week We explored the dearth of leadership in Israel, which led to the loss of God’s blessings. Samson’s failure, in contrast overshadowed there deliverance from the Philistines. May we not follow Such a path in Jesus name. Amen.
This week’s lesson, “The Dearth Leadership (lI),” builds upon last week, teachings with additional characters to enrich our understanding. Wew examine Samuel and his sons’ attitudes, which prompted the Israelitest demand a king, and Saul’s subsequent failure to govern effectively. Israek history reveals a pattern of deteriorating leadership, leading to chaos an ultimately enslavement by their enemies.
May we be able to grasp everything the Lord God has for us in this lesson Amen.
LESSON OUTLINE
- SAMUEL’S SONS IRRESPONSIBILITY – ‘GIVE US A KING’
- SAUL’S TERRIBLE FAILURE
LESSON EXPOSITION
SAMUEL’S SONS’ IRRESPONSIBILITY – ‘GIVE US A KING’ (8:1-10)
But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain took bribes, and perverted justice (v.3).
a) Before the demand for a king, Israel was led by YAHWEH -Theocracy (Exod.3:2-10;23:20-27; Num. 27:5ff).
b) vv. 1-3: Samuel entrusted leadership to his sons, thinking they would maintain spiritual integrity (cf. Psa. 22:30; Isa. 8:18), but they succumbed to corruption, violating the trust reposed in them (cf. Deut. 13:13; 1 Sam. 2:12ff).
c) vv.4-5: We aren’t certain what went wrong about Samuel and his home (cf. 1 Tim. 3:4,5). But his children disregarded his spiritual legacy and dishonoured his name (cf. Gal. 5:13).
d) v. 5: Result of failed leadership. Israel demanded a king, somehow shifting their trust from God to human authority. May our leadership lifestyles not lead people away from Christ.
e) Samuel’s sons almost rubbished his godly legacy. That is what happens when we fail to develop upcoming leaders aright (cf.Jdg.2:10).
SAUL’S TERRIBLE FAILURE (14:1ff)
And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath..(14:24a).
a) Providentially, Saul was directed to Samuel to be anointed as Israel’s firstking (9:1-2,17,26-27; 10:1).
b) Saul, mentored by Samuel and empowered by God’s Spirit (10:2-8; 11:6), tragically deviated from God’s will and became a tyrannical king who rejected divine guidance. He became paranoid and sought to control, or kill those around him (14:28-29).
c) Saul had the opportunity to positively influence David but botched it out of envy, anger and resentment. But for God’s intervention, David could have inherited wickedness from him.
d)14:1-23: Every sign points to a serious father-son bond between Saul and Jonathan. Saul’s monumental failure, both at home and as king ended Jonathan’s promisinglife (20:31; 23:17).
e) vv. 27-29,39: The resentment that triggered Saul’s words revealed a mix of love and contempt for Jonathan. He didn’t prepare Jonathan to be a great leader (cf. 20:30-31).
LESSONS DERIVED
- Check your attitudes before the upcoming generation, and examine if you are influencing them positively or otherwise
- Don’t take with levity the development of people around you today. You won’t know where they will get to tomorrow.
QUESTIONS
- Was Samuel’s sons’ waywardness enough reason for Israel to ask for a king to rule over them?
- King Saul didn’t influence the upcoming ones around him positively. Discuss
