Study 15: 1 Samuel 12 : Trent Evans
- Trent Evans
- Jul 5
- 6 min read
This sermon on 1 Samuel 13 walks through Saul’s unraveling as king, revealing how pride, fear, and impatience erode obedience to God. Listeners are led verse by verse through the text to understand how Saul's insecurity leads him to claim credit for his son’s victory, offer unauthorized sacrifices, and shift blame rather than take responsibility. The teaching emphasizes the consequences of disregarding God's commands, the danger of letting fear drive decisions, and the vital need to wait on God's timing. The message calls believers to examine where they run when afraid, inviting them to find their hiding place in the Lord and trust Him—even when trembling. This study podcast guides listeners into deeper faith by illuminating both the scriptural context and personal implications of obedience, humility, and spiritual leadership.
Sermon Outline
1. Introduction & Prayer for Clarity
⏱️ 00:00–02:36
Key Point: Ask God to clear our minds and reveal truth through His Word.
Focus Verse: 1 Samuel 13:1
Application: Prepare your heart and mind to hear Scripture without distraction.
2. The Challenge of Translation
⏱️ 02:36–15:48
Key Point: Discussion of textual difficulties in 1 Samuel 13:1 and why translations differ.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:1, Acts 13:21
Insight: Not all translations are perfect; trust the inspired message, not the form.
3. Jonathan’s Bold Faith vs. Saul’s Insecurity
⏱️ 15:48–22:19
Key Point: Jonathan defeats the Philistines, but Saul takes the credit.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:2–4
Warning: Pride often stems from insecurity and misrepresents truth.
4. Hiding in the Wrong Places
⏱️ 22:19–28:11
Key Point: The Israelites flee and hide, but not in the Lord.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:5–7, Psalm 32:7
Application: Examine your "hiding places." Are they of God or self-made?
5. When Fear Becomes the Driver
⏱️ 28:11–34:32
Key Point: Fear isn’t inherently bad—but it becomes sin when it governs our decisions.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:8–10
Quote: “Fear can be a reasonable passenger in the car of life, but not the driver.”
6. Saul’s Disobedience and Rationalization
⏱️ 34:32–40:38
Key Point: Saul offers an unlawful sacrifice and blames others.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:9–12
Truth: 99% obedience is still disobedience.
7. Accountability Before God
⏱️ 40:38–42:02
Key Point: God doesn’t ask for excuses—He asks what you have done.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:11–12
Challenge: Will you take responsibility for your spiritual choices?
8. Compelled by Self, Not the Spirit
⏱️ 42:02–45:10
Key Point: Saul claims he was “compelled” to act—but by himself, not by God.
Word Study: Hebrew for “compelled” means a force from within oneself.
Question: Who or what compels your decisions—self or Spirit?
9. The Cost of Foolishness
⏱️ 45:10–47:54
Key Point: Foolishness is defined as disobeying God’s commands.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:13–14
Reflection: Small acts of disobedience disqualify us from greater stewardship.
10. Trusting While Trembling
⏱️ 47:54–end
Key Point: God may remove our crutches to draw us into deeper trust.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:15–23; 1 Samuel 14:6
Closing Image: “Even if I tremble, let it be in His bosom.”
Scripture References
1. 1 Samuel 13:1
⏱️ 02:36–15:48
Context: Introduced the textual difficulties in various Bible translations.
Use: Highlighted the importance of textual integrity and careful Bible study.
2. Acts 13:21
⏱️ 13:49–14:51
Context: Used to support the idea that Saul reigned for 40 years.
Use: Cross-referenced to explain how translators arrive at certain numbers.
3. 1 Samuel 13:2–3
⏱️ 17:18–20:03
Context: Jonathan wins a battle, but Saul takes the credit.
Use: Introduced the unraveling of Saul’s character through pride and insecurity.
4. 1 Samuel 13:4–5
⏱️ 20:03–22:19
Context: Saul makes himself the hero; the Philistines prepare to attack.
Use: Emphasized the danger of self-promotion and misattributing God's work.
5. Psalm 32:7
⏱️ 27:07–27:55
Context: Contrasted hiding from fear with hiding in God.
Use: Urged believers to make God their refuge rather than worldly substitutes.
6. 1 Samuel 13:6–7
⏱️ 26:00–27:55
Context: The people of Israel hide in fear as the Philistines advance.
Use: Paralleled to modern believers hiding in harmful or insufficient places.
7. 1 Samuel 13:8–10
⏱️ 32:04–34:32
Context: Saul offers a burnt offering instead of waiting for Samuel.
Use: Demonstrated the consequence of fear-driven disobedience.
8. 1 Samuel 13:11–12
⏱️ 38:43–40:38
Context: Saul rationalizes his actions when confronted by Samuel.
Use: Illustrated blame-shifting and self-justification in spiritual failure.
9. 1 Samuel 13:13–14
⏱️ 45:10–47:01
Context: Samuel declares Saul has acted foolishly and lost his kingdom.
Use: Defined foolishness as disobedience and explained its consequences.
10. 1 Samuel 13:15–23
⏱️ 47:54–50:20
Context: Saul is left with 600 men, but Samuel and Jonathan remain faithful.
Use: Showed how God’s presence, not numbers, determines victory.
11. 1 Samuel 14:6
⏱️ 50:52–51:49
Context: Quoted by Jonathan: “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
Use: Reinforced the power of faith and trust over visible strength.
Word Study
1. Pride
Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)
Original Word: גָּאוֹן (ga’own)
Strong’s Number: H1347
Pronunciation: gaw-ohn’
Simple Definition: Arrogance, swelling pride, or majesty (depending on context).Extended Definition (from Strong’s / BDB): A sense of rising up, exaltation, or haughty self-confidence; can be used positively (as in majesty) or negatively (as in prideful arrogance or rebellion).
Synonyms:
to be high, exalted (H1361) — גָּבַהּ (gabah)Antonyms:
to be humble (H6035) — עָנָו (anav)
Other Key Uses:
Proverbs 16:18 — “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Isaiah 2:12 — “The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty…”
Reflection: The word ga’own reveals the inner posture of Saul’s heart—seeking exaltation through self-promotion. By claiming Jonathan’s military victory as his own, Saul demonstrates the kind of pride that Scripture says leads to destruction. This word highlights the sermon’s warning: spiritual leadership must be rooted in humility, not image or applause.
2. Fear
Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)
Original Word: יָרֵא (yare’)
Strong’s Number: H3372
Pronunciation: yaw-ray’
Simple Definition: To fear, be afraid, revere.Extended Definition (from Strong’s / BDB): To stand in awe, to be morally reverent, or to be afraid. Can describe both godly fear (awe) and faithless fear (panic or dread).
Synonyms:
to dread (H6342) — פָּחַד (pachad)Antonyms:
to trust (H982) — בָּטַח (batach)
Other Key Uses:
Proverbs 1:7 — “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”
Isaiah 41:10 — “Fear not, for I am with you…”
Reflection: Saul’s fear of public failure and military defeat leads him to disobey God’s command. Understanding yare’ deepens the message that fear—when left unchecked—can push us to take control instead of waiting on God. The sermon teaches that fear must submit to faith if we are to follow God with integrity.
3. Foolishness
Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)
Original Word: נָבָל (nabal)
Strong’s Number: H5036
Pronunciation: naw-bawl’
Simple Definition: Fool, senseless, spiritually defiant.Extended Definition (from Strong’s / BDB): Describes moral decay, willful disregard for God’s authority, or a brutish rejection of wisdom and truth.
Synonyms:
fool (H191) — אֱוִיל (ewil)Antonyms:
wise (H2450) — חָכָם (chakam)
Other Key Uses:
Psalm 14:1 — “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”
1 Samuel 25:25 — “As his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him.”
Reflection: Samuel calls Saul’s disobedience “foolish.” The use of nabal reminds us that God defines wisdom not by cleverness but by obedience. This term reveals how Saul’s failure wasn’t just impulsive—it was spiritually reckless, showing a heart not aligned with God’s ways.
Reflection Questions
Where in your life are you tempted to take matters into your own hands instead of waiting on God?
Read: 1 Samuel 13:8–10; Psalm 27:14
How does Saul’s impatience challenge you to trust God's timing, even when circumstances feel urgent or uncertain?
What “crutches” might God be removing from your life to lead you into deeper dependence on Him?
Read: Judges 7:2–7; Psalm 20:7
Consider how God often reduces human strength so His power is more clearly seen. What might He be inviting you to surrender?
Are there areas where pride is masking insecurity or spiritual disobedience in your walk with God?
Read: Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6
Reflect on whether you're seeking approval or control in ways that God is asking you to release. How can humility realign your heart?
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