Some of my best Bible studies, especially when reading the Old Testament, start with the question, “I wonder why…”
Going through 1 Samuel, I’m in chapter 16 where Samuel and God are communing about God’s rejection of king Saul. But before even getting past verse 1, I just find it intriguing that the first king the Israelites got (Saul) was not up to snuff. He wasn’t good enough. Another king was needed. I wonder why? Did God make a mistake in having Samuel anoint Saul as king in 1 Sam 10:1? I’ve learned that there is always a bigger picture in play in the telling of historical events. And, in the telling of history, there are glimpses of Jesus. I watch how things are worded. And I found something today I’ve never seen before. I hope you will see it with me.
1 Sam 16:1: And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
What’s going on historically is plain. No need to repeat. But what’s happening prophetically? It’s in the words. Compare the verses in the graphic and tell me if you see it.
I’ve long heard Bible teachers talk about how you can see Jesus in the Genesis story of Abraham offering Isaac. Partly you see that in the phrase “God will provide himself a lamb,” meaning He would be the lamb (in Jesus) prophetically. Well, that same thing applies to our passage. Through a prophetic lens, God was saying just what He said. “I have provided me a king…”
Go with me into God’s plan for the yet future. If you think what’s happening in the world today is mind boggling, just consider the tribulation when there will be a wicked king (the antichrist) the likes of whom no one has seen. He will start out exemplary, just like Saul did. To the Jews, the antichrist will be a welcome sight with his promise of peace for Israel. Saul was a welcome sight to the Israelites. They just wanted a king. Unfortunately, their king did not know the Lord. How do I know that? After Saul had sinned by not obeying God’s command to destroy everything of the enemy Amalekites, Samuel confronted Saul with his sin. He made excuses for his sin, revealing his disobedient lackadaisical heart. The prophet Samuel told Saul that God was done with him as king. Saul’s response was… ponderous. Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God. (1 Sam 15:30)
Have you heard the term “saving face?” That’s what’s going on in this verse. Saul admits to messenger prophet Samuel that he sinned. But he doesn’t want his honor as king stripped away. He asks Samuel to honor him in front of the people. Honestly. That’s what’s going on in this verse. Read it again. His face-saving request is to “worship the Lord thy God” in front of the people. He wants to keep up appearances. Hmm. And looking at every word, do you notice that Saul requests to worship “the Lord thy God?” I guess he figures he isn’t fooling Samuel anymore, so he doesn’t find it necessary to confess the Lord as his own God. It’s “thy God” he asks to “worship.”
And so we see the bigger picture in type. Saul, the antichrist—not the true saving king. The next king, Jesus, whom David pictures, will be right after the antichrist to wrap up the tribulation and return as King.
Let’s end with the turning of the page to 1 Samuel 16:1 again—and now read it with fresh eyes:
And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
(Isa 11:1) And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Learn to read the Old Testament through the lens of the future. You'll notice that God is the author of the concept "history repeats itself."
Tell me what you think.
Jody
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