Advanced Level, Block 6—Struggling with a Kingdom
Week 58
Saul Refusing to Submit to God’s Choice
Point to Emphasize: Why do we refuse to give up the things our parents don’t want us to do?
Reference Reading: 1 Samuel 13; 20:30-31; 31:1-6; Life-study of Samuel, msgs. 10, 12
Memory Verse: Blessed is the man who always fears, / But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. (Proverbs 28:14)
Story Sample
Saul, as the first king given to Israel, pretended to be a person full of humility. But as he went on gaining victories in battles, his true person was revealed. Saul did not care for what God wanted. Saul’s real intention as a king was to build a kingdom (monarchy, empire) for himself. Saul thought it was possible to have his own kingdom and ignore what God wanted. But this was not possible. God knew what Saul’s true intentions were. Saul had rejected God and God rejected him. God anointed David to be the next king, someone who was according to God’s heart. But, Saul refused to accept God’s choice. His refusal to submit to God’s choice caused him a tragic end. I hope today’s story will help you all to see how important it is to accept God’s choice for us in everything.
While David waited to begin ruling as king, Saul was still the king. Saul knew God had appointed David to be the king, but he was unwilling to give up the throne. Saul had many opportunities to change his ways and agree with giving up his throne, but he was just unwilling. He then wanted his kingdom to be passed on to his son Jonathan rather than to David. The outcome of Saul’s refusing to give up his kingship even though God had chosen another king was the death of himself and his sons.
Saul had a tragic death. In a battle against the Philistines, the Philistines chased Saul and his sons. They struck down his three sons, including Jonathan. Saul himself was still alive but had been wounded badly by the archers. So he tried to make his armor bearer put a sword through him to finish him off, but his armor bearer would not do it. Then Saul took his sword and fell on it. Saul’s armor bearer fell likewise on his sword and died with him. Therefore, Saul, his three sons, and his armor bearer died that day together. What a TRAGIC ending!
Saul’s end did not have to be this tragic. Why would Saul not simply give up his throne? [Let the children answer. Guide them to see Saul was not humble, he was proud, he only cared for what he wanted, and he ignored God’s choice.] God, through the speaking of Samuel, told Saul that his kingdom will not continue and that He had appointed another ruler. Saul simply did not accept God’s choice. This story shows us how important it is to accept God’s choice. One way to accept God’s choice is by accepting your parent’s choice. When you are asked to give up or drop what you are doing because your parents do not approve of it, but you are unwilling, the outcome will never be a good one.
When I was growing up, there were different things that my parents did not approve of. My dad did not approve of me wearing spaghetti strap or crop tops at any time. We could wear pants but not to the meetings. There was not a rule in the church that prohibited girls from wearing pants in the children’s or young people’s meetings but my dad simply did not approve of it. It didn’t make him happy. To be honest with you all, it was VERY hard for me to wear a skirt and give up my pants to go to the meeting. One day, I left my house wearing a skirt and as soon as my dad dropped me off at the meeting hall, I went to the bathroom and changed into pants that I sneaked in my bag. This was against how my parents wanted me to dress. [Storyteller, insert your own story.]
Why is it that we refuse to give up the things our parents don’t approve of? [Let the children answer.] Maybe you think your parent’s way of thinking is old-fashioned. Maybe you think that your parents asking you not to play a particular game is unfair since others around you are allowed to play it. Maybe you think your parents “owe” you an explanation for asking you not to do something. Whatever your reasoning may be, you should be willing to give it up. You should submit to your parents.
I know when you are a child, you are likely to just complain when you are asked to stop what you are doing. But I have a question for you: have you ever thought of sitting with your parents and talked about it? Most of the time you already have your mind made up to do what you wanted to do. And when your parents ask you to give that up, you just complain by giving your reasons and excuses of why you don’t want to give that up. If you sit with them and are open to listen to what they have to say, this will help you keep your heart not harden but to keep it soft towards your parents and towards God.