Study Desk

Saul quickly called his army together, then led them to the Philistine camp. By this time the Philistines were so confused that they were killing each other.

So the Lord helped Israel win the battle that day. Saul had earlier told his soldiers, "I want to get even with those Philistines by sunset. If any of you eat before then, you will be under a curse!" So he made them swear not to eat. By the time the fighting moved past Beth-Aven, the Israelite troops were weak from hunger.

Jonathan did not know about Saul's warning to the soldiers. So he dipped the end of his walking stick in the honey and ate some with his fingers. He felt stronger and more alert.

Saul called his army officers together and said, "We have to find out what sin has kept God from answering.

Saul told his army, "You stand on that side of the priest, and Jonathan and I will stand on the other side." Everyone agreed.

When Saul became king, the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, the Philistines, and the Amalekites had all been robbing the Israelites. Saul fought back against these enemies and stopped them from robbing Israel. He was a brave commander and always won his battles.

Saul was at war with the Philistines for as long as he lived. Whenever he found a good warrior or a brave man, Saul made him join his army.

One day, Samuel told Saul: The Lord had me choose you to be king of his people, Israel. Now listen to this message from the Lord :

Saul and his army let Agag live, and they also spared the best sheep and cattle. They didn't want to destroy anything of value, so they only killed the animals that were worthless or weak.

Early the next morning he went to talk with Saul. Someone told him, "Saul went to Carmel, where he had a monument built so everyone would remember his victory. Then he left for Gilgal."

"But I did listen to the Lord !" Saul answered. "He sent me on a mission, and I went. I captured King Agag and destroyed his nation.

Besides, the eternal God of Israel isn't a human being. He doesn't tell lies or change his mind."

Samuel went home to Ramah, and Saul returned to his home in Gibeah.

One day he said, "Samuel, I've rejected Saul, and I refuse to let him be king any longer. Stop feeling sad about him. Put some olive oil in a small container and go visit a man named Jesse, who lives in Bethlehem. I've chosen one of his sons to be my king."

then invite Jesse to the sacrifice. When I show you which one of his sons I have chosen, pour the olive oil on his head."

"Yes, it is!" Samuel answered. "I've come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord . Get yourselves ready to take part in the sacrifice and come with me." Samuel also invited Jesse and his sons to come to the sacrifice, and he got them ready to take part.

When Jesse and his sons arrived, Samuel noticed Jesse's oldest son, Eliab. "He has to be the one the Lord has chosen," Samuel said to himself.

Jesse told his son Abinadab to go over to Samuel, but Samuel said, "No, the Lord hasn't chosen him."

Next, Jesse sent his son Shammah to him, and Samuel said, "The Lord hasn't chosen him either."

Jesse had all seven of his sons go over to Samuel. Finally, Samuel said, "Jesse, the Lord hasn't chosen any of these young men.