1 Samuel

1 Samuel 13: A man after the LORD’s heart

Begin in prayer

Before we see Saul rush ahead of the LORD's word at Gilgal, and learn that the LORD seeks a man after His own heart, let us pray together. Ask Him to teach us to wait, and to show us Jesus.

Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way

Psalm 37:34

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You rule Your people, and help us to wait on You and to obey You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he chose three thousand men, with Jonathan leading a thousand at Gibeah. Jonathan struck the Philistine garrison at Geba, and the Philistines gathered a great army against Israel. The people were distressed, and many hid in caves, thickets, rocks, tombs, and pits. Saul waited seven days at Gilgal, as Samuel had said, but Samuel did not come, and the people began to scatter. Saul offered the burnt offering himself, and when Samuel arrived, Saul blamed the people and said he had forced himself to do it. Samuel said Saul had acted foolishly and his kingdom would not continue, because the LORD had sought a man after His own heart.

As you read 1 Samuel 13, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD takes the kingdom from a king who disobeys, and He seeks a man after His own heart.

Jonathan struck the Philistine garrison at Geba, and the Philistines came up in great numbers (verses 3 to 5). They had thirty thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and soldiers like the sand on the seashore (verse 5). The Israelites hid in caves and pits, and those who followed Saul trembled (verses 6 and 7). Samuel had told Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal until he came to offer the sacrifices (verse 8). Samuel did not come in time, the people began to scatter, and Saul offered the burnt offering himself (verses 8 and 9). He said he was afraid the Philistines would come before he had sought the LORD's favor, so he forced himself (verses 11 and 12). Samuel called it foolish, because Saul had not kept the LORD's commandment, and the kingdom would not continue (verses 13 and 14). Saul was to wait for the LORD's word, and he trusted his own plan when the word seemed late. The LORD had sought a man after His own heart, and He had already appointed him prince over His people (verse 14).

How does 1 Samuel 13 show us that the LORD takes the kingdom from a king who disobeys, and seeks a man after His own heart?

Saul did not wait for the LORD’s word.

Samuel had told Saul to wait seven days for him at Gilgal (verse 8). The Philistines had thirty thousand chariots, and the people hid in caves and pits (verses 5 and 6). When Samuel did not come, the people began to scatter (verse 8). Saul said he forced himself to offer the burnt offering (verse 12).

The LORD removes a king who disobeys Him.

Samuel told Saul he had done foolishly and had not kept the LORD's command (verse 13). Saul blamed the people and the delay (verses 11 and 12). The LORD would have established his kingdom over Israel forever, but now it would not continue (verses 13 and 14).

The LORD seeks a man after His own heart.

The LORD had sought for Himself a man after His own heart and had appointed him prince over His people (verse 14). Saul's rule would end, but the LORD would not leave His people without a king. Paul later said God raised up David, and from his offspring brought Israel a Saviour, Jesus (Acts 13 verses 22 and 23).

Memorise

Yahweh has sought for himself a man after his own heart

1 Samuel 13:14

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, when I rush ahead of God, who can forgive my sin?

Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly.” Saul would not wait for the LORD's word, and the LORD sought a man after His own heart.

We rush ahead of God too, and take matters into our own hands when He seems slow. That is sin, and it deserves the judgment Saul heard. Jesus waited on the Father in every hour, even in Gethsemane, and obeyed to the death of the cross. There He bore the punishment that rebels like us have earned. God raised Him on the third day, and no one can add to His obedience.

Do not trust your own plans. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. Whoever believes in Him has forgiveness, and He gives that person a heart to follow Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD looks for hearts that wait on Him, and that Jesus never failed to obey the Father. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He seeks a man after His own heart, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength.

Isaiah 40:31

Father, teach us to wait on You and not to rush ahead. Thank You that Jesus always did what pleased You. Turn us from our own way, and help us to trust Him with our fear. Give us hearts that please You this week. Amen.