20 - Saul and David_ 1 Sam. 16-31

Context: Discussions on scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Participants: Professors Terry Ball, Keith Wilson, and Ray Huntington from Brigham Young University.

Context of 1 Samuel: Israelites are battling the Philistines; chapter 8 introduces issues that lead Israel to desire a king.
Samuel's Sons:
- Samuel's sons are noted to be wicked, similar to Eli's sons, prompting a demand for a king.

Eli's Approach:
- Eli did not hold his sons accountable for their wickedness, implying negligence in parental responsibility.
Samuel's Approach:
- Samuel holds his sons accountable, refusing to allow them to continue judging, demonstrating a contrast in leadership and responsibility.

Israel's Request for a King:
- Found in 1 Samuel 8:20: "that we may also be like all the nations."
- This request stems from a desire to conform to cultural norms rather than remaining unique as God's chosen people.
Implications of Wanting a King:
- Rejection of God: This request signifies a rejection of God's authority: 1 Samuel 8:7 indicates the Lord states "they have rejected me that I should not reign over them."
- Covenantal Violation: Their desire for a king violates the covenantal relationship with God, who is their heavenly king.

God's Warning through Samuel (1 Samuel 8:10-18):
- God outlines the consequences of having a king:
- Taking Sons and Daughters: Sons will serve in the military, daughters will serve as bakers, etc.
- Taking Resources: Kings will take fields, seeds, and resources, leading to societal ruin.
- People's Response: Despite the warning, the people insist on having a king (1 Samuel 8:19).
Societal Risks: The adoption of monarchy may lead to a ruinous society, highlighting the idea that excessive power can corrupt rulers ("absolute power corrupts absolutely").

Reference to Mosiah 29:
- Warns against the dangers of having a wicked king and the consequences faced by the people under poor leadership.
God's Choice of King: God selects Saul, a strong leader and capable individual, to teach Israel a lesson about monarchy.

Saul's Description (1 Samuel 9:2, 9:6):
- Saul is physically impressive: tall and handsome, chosen for his potential as a ruler.
Saul's Initial Humility:
- Despite his selection, Saul expresses feelings of unworthiness (1 Samuel 9:21).
Anointing by Samuel:
- Samuel anoints Saul with oil, establishing the monarchy as a divine institution (1 Samuel 10:1).

Spirit of the Lord:
- 1 Samuel 10:6 states that the Spirit will change Saul into a new person, mirroring the potential for all individuals to change with God's help.
Saul's Struggles with Leadership:
- Initially timid and insecure, he is transformed into a charismatic leader during a conflict helping Jabesh Gilead against the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11).

Disobedience:
- Chapter 13: Saul unlawfully offers sacrifices, violating God's instructions, leading to the prophecy of his downfall.
- Chapter 15: Saul disobeys God's command to destroy the Amalekites completely, leading to God's rejection of Saul as king.
- Samuel's insistence that obedience to God is more important than sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:22).

Rebellion: Samuel labels Saul as a rebel for his continuous disobedience (1 Samuel 15:23).
True Repentance?: When confronted by Samuel, Saul's repentance appears to lack sincerity, focused on maintaining appearances rather than seeking true forgiveness.

David's Anointing (1 Samuel 16):
- God instructs Samuel to anoint David as king, marking a turning point in Israel's leadership.
God's Value System:
- 1 Samuel 16:7 emphasizes that God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances.

The Challenge:
- David faces Goliath, representing personal and societal challenges.
Key Principles from the Encounter:
- Fear diminishes faith; fear and faith cannot coexist (1 Samuel 17:11).
- Youth can accomplish significant acts of faith (1 Samuel 17:29).
- David’s righteous actions and confidence in God leads to victory over Goliath, setting him on the path to kingship.