Saul: Israel’s first King

Copyright © Simon G. Harris 2011Scripture quotations taken from the

HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

Used by permission

You can have EVERYTHING and still not FIND what you are

LOOKING for.

We are searching for something .....

1 Samuel 9:1-21 Samuel 9:1-2There was a Benjamite, a There was a Benjamite, a

man of standing, whose man of standing, whose name was Kish son of name was Kish son of

Abiel, the son of Zeror, Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the the son of Becorath, the

son of Aphiah of son of Aphiah of Benjamin. Benjamin. 2 He had a son 2 He had a son

named Saul, ...named Saul, ...

Saul

- good heritage - good heritage

1 Samuel 9:1-21 Samuel 9:1-2 2 He 2 He had a son named Saul, an had a son named Saul, an

impressive young man impressive young man without equal among the without equal among the

Israelites--a head taller Israelites--a head taller than any of the others. than any of the others.

Saul

- good heritage - good heritage

- greatly handsome - greatly handsome

1 Samuel 11:151 Samuel 11:15 So all the people went to So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of as king in the presence of

the Lord. the Lord.

Saul

- good heritage - good heritage

- greatly handsome - greatly handsome - grand honour - grand honour

1 Samuel 10:221 Samuel 10:22 So they inquired further So they inquired further

of the Lord, "Has the man of the Lord, "Has the man come here yet?" And the come here yet?" And the

Lord said, "Yes, he has Lord said, "Yes, he has hidden himself among the hidden himself among the

baggage." baggage."

Saul

Saul is hiding!Saul is hiding!

He hides for the reasons we hide:He hides for the reasons we hide:

- not sure he’s good enough - afraid of being found out - feeling guilty or ashamed - afraid of failing - can’t believe he’s chosen

- not sure he’s good enough - afraid of being found out - feeling guilty or ashamed - afraid of failing - can’t believe he’s chosen

1 Samuel 16:211 Samuel 16:21 Surely I have acted like a Surely I have acted like a

fool and have erred fool and have erred greatly." greatly."

Saul

Saul is hiding!Saul is hiding!

He hides for the reasons we hide:He hides for the reasons we hide:

- not sure he’s good enough - afraid of being found out - feeling guilty or ashamed - afraid of failing - can’t believe he’s chosen

- not sure he’s good enough - afraid of being found out - feeling guilty or ashamed - afraid of failing - can’t believe he’s chosen

1 Samuel 13:141 Samuel 13:14 But now your kingdom But now your kingdom

will not endure; the Lord will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man has sought out a man

after his own heart and after his own heart and appointed him leader of appointed him leader of his people, because you his people, because you have not kept the Lord's have not kept the Lord's

command." command."

A new way to live

We all need God to fill that spaceWe all need God to fill that space

Living like Saul needs to give way to living like David

Living like Saul needs to give way to living like David

Psalm 23:1Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd, The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not be in want. I shall not be in want.

A new way to live

We all need God to fill that spaceWe all need God to fill that space

Living like Saul needs to give way to living like David

Living like Saul needs to give way to living like David

Psalm 23:1Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd, The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not be in want. I shall not be in want.

A new way to live

I can have nothing but have EVERYTHING

I can have nothing but have EVERYTHING

Matthew 13:44-46Matthew 13:44-46““The kingdom of heaven The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in is like treasure hidden in

a field. When a man a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and then in his joy went and sold all he had and and sold all he had and

bought that field. bought that field.

45“Again, the kingdom of 45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant heaven is like a merchant

looking for fine pearls.  looking for fine pearls.  46When he found one of 46When he found one of

great value, he went great value, he went away and sold everything away and sold everything

he had and bought it. he had and bought it.

A new way to live

I can have nothing but have EVERYTHING

I can have nothing but have EVERYTHING

Have you found what

you are looking for?

Luke 19:10Luke 19:10For the Son of Man came For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what to seek and to save what

was lost." was lost."

Jesus has come for all those who are hiding away

Jesus has come for all those who are hiding away

Revelation 3:20Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the Here I am! I stand at the

door and knock. If anyone door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and hears my voice and

opens the door, I will opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, come in and eat with him,

and he with me. and he with me.