From Eating with the Man of God to Eating with the Witch of Endor

Subject: From Eating with the Man of God to Eating with the Witch of Endor

Scripture Readings: 1 Samuel 9: 17 - 24 & 1 Samuel 10: 1 - 9

Memory Verses: 1 Samuel 9: 23 - 24  

Objective: Examining Saul’s spiritual decline to avoid a similar demise.

1.     How did Saul’s spiritual career begin? 1 Samuel 10: 1 - 10

2.     How did Saul handle his first test? 1 Samuel 13: 1 - 14

3.     Did he stop to examine his actions in an effort to do damage control? 1 Samuel 15: 1 - 3, 7 - 15. Having gone through the foregoing Scriptures, what is crystal clear about Saul’s ability to follow instructions?

4.     In Hebrews 12: 15, we are cautioned against the danger of bitterness. When did this begin to fester in Saul? 1 Samuel 18: 5 - 9. From that point, what was paramount on Saul’s agenda? 1 Samuel 18: 11, 1 Samuel 19: 1, 10

5.     Saul, driven by hatred and anger, ordered what atrocity to be carried out? 1 Samuel 22: 6 - 19

6.     What sobering counsel is penned in the scriptures to keep us in check? Isaiah 31: 1, Proverbs 14: 14, Proverbs 12: 15, Proverbs 15: 10, Proverbs 29: 1

7.     Where and how did it end for Saul? 1 Samuel 28: 7 - 11, 21 - 25, 1 Samuel 31: 1 - 6

Note: The truth is that Saul started out well. The Scripture stated that the Spirit of the Lord would come upon him and he would ‘be another man,’ and also that God was with him. 1 Samuel 10: 6 - 7. Saul, however, instead of being compliant, chose to rebel against God. This lesson is a timely reminder for us to maintain good works. Anybody can start something well, but it takes a made-up mind and a dedicated heart to see it through. With God, all things are possible, and those who want to honour Him will receive strength for the journey. May God help us to finish well; otherwise, our portion will be hell’s fire.