Study 13: 1 Samuel 11:1-15 : Trent Evans

This sermon, drawn from 1 Samuel 11, guides listeners through Israel’s transition from God as their direct king to the appointment of Saul as the first earthly king. It emphasizes the danger of making compromises with the enemy—illustrated through Nahash’s demand to gouge out the right eyes of the people of Jabesh Gilead—and highlights the spiritual lesson that any deal with the enemy leads to distorted vision and disgrace. The message invites believers to see how God, through His Spirit, empowered Saul to act in deliverance, reflecting God’s sufficiency and faithfulness. Ultimately, it calls the church to remember their own “Gilgal”—a place of first love and God’s demonstrated faithfulness—and challenges listeners to examine whether they’ve experienced true spiritual transformation and deliverance through Christ.

Sermon Outline

1️⃣ Introduction and Context

⏱️ 00:00–03:00

• Opening prayer and focus on God’s Word.

• Context: Transition from God as king to Saul as Israel’s first king.

• 📖 1 Samuel 10–11

2️⃣ Israel’s Rejection of God as King

⏱️ 03:00–05:30

• Samuel reminds Israel of God’s past deliverance at Mizpah.

• They demand a human king, rejecting God’s kingship.

• 📖 1 Samuel 10

3️⃣ Saul’s Insecurity and the Baggage Scene

⏱️ 05:30–08:20

• Saul hides among baggage when chosen as king.

• His insecurity surfaces—a foreshadowing of future failures.

• Key insight: Moving him physically didn’t change his heart.

4️⃣ Nahash the Ammonite’s Threat

⏱️ 10:00–14:30

• Nahash (meaning serpent) besieges Jabesh Gilead.

• Demands gouging out the right eye to disgrace Israel.

• Spiritual warning: Deals with the enemy distort vision.

• 📖 1 Samuel 11:1–3

5️⃣ The Enemy’s Goal: Distorted Vision

⏱️ 14:30–18:45

• Analogy: Enemy delights in spiritual distortion—so we can’t see God, His Word, or ourselves correctly.

• 📖 1 Samuel 11:2–3

6️⃣ Jabesh Gilead’s History and Cry for Help

⏱️ 21:00–24:00

• Historical tension: Jabesh Gilead once failed to help Israel (Judges 21).

• Now they hope for mercy despite past failures.

• 📖 Judges 21; 1 Samuel 11:3–4

7️⃣ Saul’s Response: Spirit-Empowered Leadership

⏱️ 26:45–30:00

• Spirit of God comes upon Saul; he acts with righteous anger.

• Mobilizes 330,000 men through bold leadership.

• 📖 1 Samuel 11:6–8

8️⃣ God’s Deliverance

⏱️ 30:15–38:00

• Saul leads Israel to victory, fulfilling the promise of deliverance.

• The enemy is scattered; no two remain together.

• Saul deflects glory to God.

• 📖 1 Samuel 11:11–13

9️⃣ Renewal at Gilgal

⏱️ 41:00–45:00

• Samuel leads Israel to Gilgal to renew the kingship and remember God’s faithfulness.

• Gilgal: site of first Passover in the Promised Land, memorial stones, end of manna.

• 📖 1 Samuel 11:14–15; Joshua 4–5

🔟 A Call to Remember and Return

⏱️ 46:00–55:00

• Reflection on our own “Gilgal”—when God showed mercy and faithfulness.

• Invitation: Return to first love or receive Christ for the first time.

• Personal application: Have you had your “Gilgal”?

Scripture References

1️⃣ 1 Samuel 10

⏱️ 03:00–05:30

• Context of Saul’s selection as king; Samuel reminds Israel of their rejection of God as king at Mizpah.

• Used to frame Israel’s transition from divine to human leadership.

2️⃣ 1 Samuel 11:1–3

⏱️ 10:00–14:30

• Story of Nahash the Ammonite besieging Jabesh Gilead, demanding the right eyes of the people.

• Central text for the sermon’s theme of enemy oppression and spiritual distortion.

3️⃣ Genesis 19:38

⏱️ 11:20–12:00

• Reference to the origin of the Ammonites as descendants of Lot and his youngest daughter.

• Used to explain the ancestral opposition between Ammon and Israel.

4️⃣ Judges 19, 21

⏱️ 21:00–24:00

• Describes the earlier sin of the Benjamites and Jabesh Gilead’s failure to respond, leading to their near destruction.

• Context for why Jabesh Gilead might fear abandonment now.

5️⃣ 1 Samuel 11:6–8

⏱️ 26:45–30:00

• Saul, empowered by the Spirit, leads Israel’s army to defend Jabesh Gilead.

• Highlights Saul’s Spirit-led leadership.

6️⃣ 1 Samuel 11:9–11

⏱️ 30:15–38:00

• Saul promises deliverance and leads Israel to victory over the Ammonites.

• Fulfillment of God’s promise of rescue.

7️⃣ 1 Samuel 11:12–13

⏱️ 38:00–40:30

• Saul deflects praise to God, emphasizing that the Lord delivered Israel.

• A moment of humility and proper glory to God.

8️⃣ 1 Samuel 11:14–15

⏱️ 41:00–45:00

• Samuel leads Israel to Gilgal to renew the kingship.

• Symbolic return to remember God’s faithfulness.

9️⃣ Joshua 4–5 (implied)

⏱️ 41:00–45:00

• Gilgal as the site of memorial stones, first Passover in Canaan, circumcision, and end of manna.

• Used to illustrate the importance of remembering God’s provision.

10️⃣ Ephesians 2:10 (implied)

⏱️ 24:00 / alluded in tone

• Mentioned in relation to doing good works prepared by God, though more explicitly connected in the Church of God belief materials.

• Reflects calling to action through faith.

1️⃣1️⃣ Hebrew: Yasha / Yeshua

⏱️ 24:30–25:00

• Hebrew root for “rescue” (Yasha), linked to the name of Jesus (Yeshua).

• Highlights Jesus as the ultimate deliverer.

Word Study

1️⃣ Rescue / Deliver

• Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)

• Original Word: יָשַׁע (Yasha)

• Strong’s Number: H3467

• Pronunciation: yaw-SHAH

Simple Definition:To save, deliver, or give victory.

Extended Definition (from Strong’s / BDB):To be open, wide, or free; by implication, to be safe; to deliver or help; to preserve, rescue, bring salvation, get victory.

Synonyms:

• נָצַל (natsal) — to snatch away, deliver (H5337)

• פָּלַט (palat) — to escape, deliver (H6403)

Antonyms:

• עָזַב (azab) — to forsake, abandon (H5800)

• שָׁבָה (shabah) — to take captive (H7617)

Other Key Uses:

• Exodus 14:30 — “That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians.”

• Judges 3:9 — “But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer...”

• Psalm 20:6 — “Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed.”

Reflection:The use of Yasha deepens the sermon’s theme of God as the true rescuer. Saul’s military action reflects God’s deliverance—not merely human effort. The word links to the name Yeshua (Jesus), reminding us that ultimate deliverance comes through Christ. The sermon invites believers to trust not in treaties with the enemy, but in God’s power to save.

2️⃣ Covenant / Treaty

• Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)

• Original Word: בְּרִית (Berith)

• Strong’s Number: H1285

• Pronunciation: ber-EETH

Simple Definition:A pact, alliance, agreement.

Extended Definition:A formal agreement between two parties; can be between God and man (divine covenant) or between humans (treaty, alliance). In biblical context, often involves obligations and blessings/curses.

Synonyms:

• חֹק (choq) — statute, ordinance (H2706)

Antonyms:

• בָּגַד (bagad) — to act treacherously, break covenant (H898)

Other Key Uses:

• Genesis 9:9 — God’s covenant with Noah.

• Genesis 15:18 — God’s covenant with Abram regarding the land.

• Exodus 19:5 — Covenant at Sinai.

Reflection:Nahash demanded a perverse “covenant” to enslave and disgrace Israel. This contrasts starkly with God’s covenants, which bring life and blessing. The sermon calls believers to reject unholy agreements and cling to God’s faithful covenant.

3️⃣ Spirit

• Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)

• Original Word: רוּחַ (Ruach)

• Strong’s Number: H7307

• Pronunciation: ROO-akh

Simple Definition:Breath, wind, Spirit.

Extended Definition:Refers to God’s Spirit as a dynamic force empowering, creating, sustaining. Also used of human spirit (mind, disposition).

Synonyms:

• נְשָׁמָה (neshamah) — breath (H5397)

Antonyms:

• בָּשָׂר (basar) — flesh (H1320), as a symbol of human weakness

Other Key Uses:

• Genesis 1:2 — “The Spirit of God hovered over the waters.”

• Judges 6:34 — “The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon.”

• Isaiah 11:2 — “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him...”

Reflection:Saul’s victory was only possible through Ruach — God’s Spirit empowering him. The sermon points us to reliance on God’s Spirit for victory over spiritual enemies, not human strength.

4️⃣ King

• Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)

• Original Word: מֶלֶךְ (Melek)

• Strong’s Number: H4428

• Pronunciation: MEH-lek

Simple Definition:King, ruler.

Extended Definition:One who reigns over a people. In Israel’s case, intended to act under God’s authority.

Synonyms:

• נָגִיד (nagid) — prince, leader (H5057)

Antonyms:

• עֶבֶד (ebed) — servant, slave (H5650)

Other Key Uses:

• Deuteronomy 17:14-20 — Guidelines for Israel’s king.

• Psalm 2:6 — “I have installed my King on Zion.”

Reflection:Israel’s desire for a human king reflected their rejection of God as King. The sermon’s focus on Saul’s kingship points listeners to the need for submission to the true King, God Himself.

Reflection Questions

💡 On Trust and Deliverance

1️⃣ When facing spiritual or personal battles, do I tend to look for human solutions (like Israel desiring a king) or do I first seek God’s deliverance?➡ What might it look like for me to trust God more fully in those moments?

2️⃣ The sermon pointed out that Nahash’s demand aimed to distort vision (symbolically and literally).➡ In what areas of my life might the enemy be trying to distort my vision of God, His Word, or myself?

💡 On Compromise and Covenant

3️⃣ The people of Jabesh Gilead were tempted to make a deal with the enemy for survival.➡ Are there places where I’ve tried to “cut deals” with the world, sin, or the enemy instead of trusting in God’s covenant promises?

4️⃣ How do I experience the difference between God’s faithful covenant and the world’s empty promises?➡ What Scripture reminds me of God’s true covenant with me?

💡 On the Spirit’s Power

5️⃣ Saul’s courage and victory came only after the Spirit of God came upon him.➡ Am I trying to fight spiritual battles in my own strength, or am I inviting the Holy Spirit to lead and empower me?

6️⃣ Can I identify moments in my life when I sensed the Spirit’s power helping me act in ways I couldn’t on my own?➡ What happened, and how did I respond?

💡 On Remembering God’s Faithfulness

7️⃣ The sermon called us to return to our “Gilgal”—that place of remembering God’s first great acts of mercy and faithfulness in our lives.➡ What is my “Gilgal”? When has God shown Himself faithful to me in undeniable ways?

8️⃣ How might intentionally returning in my heart and mind to that place of first love renew my gratitude and trust today?

💡 On Jesus, the True King

9️⃣ The people celebrated Saul, but Saul pointed the glory back to God.➡ Do I point praise and credit back to God when He works through me, or am I tempted to keep some of it for myself?

10️⃣ The sermon reminded us that Jesus is our ultimate King and Deliverer.➡ In what ways do I need to submit more fully to His kingship in my life right now?