Monday Devo
Scripture:
1 Samuel 10:1-16
10 Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession. 2 When you leave me today, you will see two men beside Rachel’s tomb at Zelzah, on the border of Benjamin. They will tell you that the donkeys have been found and that your father has stopped worrying about them and is now worried about you. He is asking, ‘Have you seen my son?’
3 “When you get to the oak of Tabor, you will see three men coming toward you who are on their way to worship God at Bethel. One will be bringing three young goats, another will have three loaves of bread, and the third will be carrying a wineskin full of wine. 4 They will greet you and offer you two of the loaves, which you are to accept.
5 “When you arrive at Gibeah of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is located, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They will be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre, and they will be prophesying. 6 At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person. 7 After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you. 8 Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. You must wait for seven days until I arrive and give you further instructions.”
Samuel’s Signs Are Fulfilled
9 As Saul turned and started to leave, God gave him a new heart, and all Samuel’s signs were fulfilled that day. 10 When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, they saw a group of prophets coming toward them. Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he, too, began to prophesy. 11 When those who knew Saul heard about it, they exclaimed, “What? Is even Saul a prophet? How did the son of Kish become a prophet?”
12 And one of those standing there said, “Can anyone become a prophet, no matter who his father is?” So that is the origin of the saying “Is even Saul a prophet?”
13 When Saul had finished prophesying, he went up to the place of worship. 14 “Where have you been?” Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant.
“We were looking for the donkeys,” Saul replied, “but we couldn’t find them. So we went to Samuel to ask him where they were.”
15 “Oh? And what did he say?” his uncle asked.
16 “He told us that the donkeys had already been found,” Saul replied. But Saul didn’t tell his uncle what Samuel said about the kingdom.
10 Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession. 2 When you leave me today, you will see two men beside Rachel’s tomb at Zelzah, on the border of Benjamin. They will tell you that the donkeys have been found and that your father has stopped worrying about them and is now worried about you. He is asking, ‘Have you seen my son?’
3 “When you get to the oak of Tabor, you will see three men coming toward you who are on their way to worship God at Bethel. One will be bringing three young goats, another will have three loaves of bread, and the third will be carrying a wineskin full of wine. 4 They will greet you and offer you two of the loaves, which you are to accept.
5 “When you arrive at Gibeah of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is located, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They will be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre, and they will be prophesying. 6 At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person. 7 After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you. 8 Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. You must wait for seven days until I arrive and give you further instructions.”
Samuel’s Signs Are Fulfilled
9 As Saul turned and started to leave, God gave him a new heart, and all Samuel’s signs were fulfilled that day. 10 When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, they saw a group of prophets coming toward them. Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he, too, began to prophesy. 11 When those who knew Saul heard about it, they exclaimed, “What? Is even Saul a prophet? How did the son of Kish become a prophet?”
12 And one of those standing there said, “Can anyone become a prophet, no matter who his father is?” So that is the origin of the saying “Is even Saul a prophet?”
13 When Saul had finished prophesying, he went up to the place of worship. 14 “Where have you been?” Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant.
“We were looking for the donkeys,” Saul replied, “but we couldn’t find them. So we went to Samuel to ask him where they were.”
15 “Oh? And what did he say?” his uncle asked.
16 “He told us that the donkeys had already been found,” Saul replied. But Saul didn’t tell his uncle what Samuel said about the kingdom.
Commentary:
10:16 Saul confines his response to Samuel’s disclosure that the donkeys have been found. He suppresses the momentous information about becoming king. This might reflect the secrecy with which Samuel acted (9:27), even though he had not imposed any such requirement on Saul. This also might be humility or caution on Saul’s part, as he adjusts to all that has happened this day. Most probably it indicates his reluctance regarding the role thrust upon him. He does not yet want to talk about it, especially to a close relative, who might force his hand. Certainly Saul takes no action regarding the Philistine garrison—something Samuel indicated was desirable.
John L. Mackay, “1-2 Samuel,” in 1 Samuel–2 Chronicles, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. III, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019), 119.
John L. Mackay, “1-2 Samuel,” in 1 Samuel–2 Chronicles, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. III, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019), 119.
Questions:
Before Saul stood before the people of Israel, Samuel took him aside for a private conversation. In 1 Samuel 10:1, Samuel poured oil over Saul’s head, kissed him, and told him that the Lord had chosen him to lead Israel. Nobody was there to celebrate Saul’s appointment. There was no crowd to impress or reputation to build. God was setting Saul apart for a role he had not yet stepped into. Saul’s calling began in private, but his faithfulness would eventually be tested in public.
We can know the right answers, show up at church, and look like we’re doing well spiritually while our hearts are drifting from God. We can care more about how other people see us than what is actually happening in our relationship with Jesus. We might be quick to talk about faith around other Christians but slow to obey God when it costs us something or nobody else will know the difference.
God is not looking for a version of us that impresses other people. He wants our hearts. Jesus shows us what this kind of life looks like. Throughout His ministry, He made time to withdraw from the crowds and pray to His Father. His life was not driven by the need to impress people. He knew the Father and remained faithful to the work He had been sent to do.
We cannot build a faithful life on appearances alone. We need daily time with Jesus, honesty about our sin, and a willingness to obey Him even when nobody else sees it. And when we recognize the gap between the faith we profess and the way we live, we don’t have to hide from God. Through Jesus, we can confess our sin, receive His grace, and begin walking with Him again.
We can know the right answers, show up at church, and look like we’re doing well spiritually while our hearts are drifting from God. We can care more about how other people see us than what is actually happening in our relationship with Jesus. We might be quick to talk about faith around other Christians but slow to obey God when it costs us something or nobody else will know the difference.
God is not looking for a version of us that impresses other people. He wants our hearts. Jesus shows us what this kind of life looks like. Throughout His ministry, He made time to withdraw from the crowds and pray to His Father. His life was not driven by the need to impress people. He knew the Father and remained faithful to the work He had been sent to do.
We cannot build a faithful life on appearances alone. We need daily time with Jesus, honesty about our sin, and a willingness to obey Him even when nobody else sees it. And when we recognize the gap between the faith we profess and the way we live, we don’t have to hide from God. Through Jesus, we can confess our sin, receive His grace, and begin walking with Him again.
- When you think about your life outside of church and Christian community, where is it hardest to live out your faith consistently? What tends to compete for your attention or pull your heart away from Jesus in those moments?
- Jesus regularly stepped away from the crowds to spend time with His Father. What does His example teach us about the connection between time with God and faithfulness in everyday life? How does knowing that Jesus welcomes us by grace, rather than asking us to prove ourselves, change the way we approach Him?
- Where have you been more concerned with how others see you than with faithfully following Jesus? What needs to change in your private life, and what practical step could help you make room for God in that area this week?
Prayer Topics:
- Thank God that He sees every part of your life and invites you to know Him honestly.
- Confess the ways you have cared more about other people’s approval than faithfulness to Jesus.
- Thank Jesus for His grace and ask Him to help you bring your struggles into the light instead of hiding them.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to shape your private thoughts, habits, and attitudes so that your everyday life reflects your devotion to Jesus.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
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