SAMUEL MEETS SAUL

PROCLAMATION

“And when Samuel saw Saul, The Lord said unto him, ‘Behold the man whom I spake to thee of.  This same shall reign over My people.’  Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, ‘Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.’  And Samuel answered Saul, and said, ‘I am the seer …’ ”  1 Samuel 9:17-19 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  There was a young Benjamite whose name was Saul the son of Kish.  Saul was sent to find his father’s lost donkeys.  He and a servant went through the country of Ephraim, around the area of Shalisha, into the district of Shaalim and did not find them.  When they reached the district of Zuph, they decided to seek the advice of the man of God, who in those days was called a seer. (1 Samuel 9:1-9)  As they approached the town they inquired where the seer was and they were given directions.  When they entered the city, there was Samuel coming towards them. (1 Samuel 9:10-14)  Now on the day before The Lord God had revealed to Samuel: “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man … Anoint him ruler over My people Israel …” (1 Samuel 9:15-16)  When Samuel saw Saul, The Lord said to him, this is the man that I spoke to you about.  As Saul drew near him he asked Samuel where the seer’s house was, and Samuel answered him and said, “I am the seer ...” (1 Samuel 9:17-19)  Saul and Samuel conversed and Samuel invited him to dine with him.  They conversed even more after they ate. (1 Samuel 9:20-27)

 

APPLICATION

Everyone who comes into our live is there for a purpose.  They are there as a blessing, as a lesson, or as a test.  No one that we meet is by accident, by chance, or by luck, it is all by the providence of God.  Our reasons for coming to a particular place may be different, but the outcome of our meeting will be according to the will of God.  Remember, all things work together for the good of them that love The Lord. (Romans 8:28)

 

WE ARE WHERE WE ARE FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

PROCLAMATION

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your family’s family will perish.  And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:14 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

After Queen Vashti was banished from the kingdom, King Xerxes decreed that a search be conducted for all the beautiful young virgins in the kingdom in order to find a replacement for Vashti. (Esther 2:1-4)  Esther, who had been raised by her Jewish cousin Mordecai, was one of many young women brought to the king’s palace and placed under the care of Hegai, who was the eunuch in charge of the king’s harem. (Esther 2:5-8)  After twelve months of beauty treatments each woman would go in and spend the night with the king.  Afterwards she would return to another part of the harem under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines and stay there until summoned by the king. (Esther 2:8-14)  Esther pleased the king more than any of the other virgins and he made her the new queen to replace Vashti. (Esther 2:17-18)  At that time, Mordecai angered Haman, who had the highest position of honor among the king’s nobles, because he would not kneel down to him and he wanted to kill Mordecai and all of the Jews. (Esther 3:1-6)  Haman convinced the king to issue a decree to kill all of the Jews on the same day and he sent couriers out to proclaim this in all provinces. (Esther 3:8-15)  When Mordecai learned of this, he requested Esther’s help to plead for the king’s mercy to save the Jews, but she initially refused. (Esther 4:1-11)  Then Mordecai told her, “who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? 

APPLICATION

All things happen for a reason.  Each of us has a sphere of influence, a person, or a group of people whose behavior we can affect.  These people will listen to us and they will do what we say or suggest.  We may not all have a title, but we are still in a position of influence.  It is by the providence of God that we are where we are at any given time.  Let us be careful regarding the advice which we give to others.  We do not want to be the one who causes someone to stumble and fall into sin. (Malachi 2:8)  We especially do not want to cause a child of God to go the wrong way. (Mark 9:42 and Luke 17:2)  Let us pray that our words and advice will always be given with grace and be helpful to those who receive them. (Colossians 4:6)