Tuesday, December 30, 2008

A Sad History


1. Saul had attractive appearance and natural talents (1 Samuel 9:1-2). 有一個便雅憫人,名叫基士,是便雅憫人亞斐亞的玄孫,比歌拉的曾孫,洗羅的孫子,亞別的兒子,是個財主。他有一個兒子,名叫掃羅,又健壯、又俊美,在以色列人中沒有一個能比他更俊美的;身體比眾民高過一頭。

2. Saul had some successes and attracted some followers (1 Samuel 14:52). 掃羅在世的一切日子,與非利士人有猛烈的爭戰;掃羅遇見有能力的人或勇士,都招募了來跟隨他。

3. Saul was selfish, competitive and ambitious (1 Samuel 20:30-31). 掃羅向約拿單發怒,對他說,你這邪僻悖逆之婦人的兒子!我豈不知道你選擇耶西的兒子,自取羞辱,並且使你母親露體蒙羞麼?耶西的兒子若在地上活著,你和你的國必站立不住。現在你要打發人去,將他捉拿交給我;他是該死的。

4. Saul was controlling (1 Samuel 22:7). 掃羅對左右侍立的臣僕說,便雅憫人哪,你們要聽我的話:耶西的兒子能將田地和葡萄園賜給你們各人麼?能立你們各人作千夫長和百夫長麼?

5. Saul was rebellious toward God (1 Samuel 15:22-23). 撒母耳說,耶和華喜悅燔祭和平安祭,豈如喜悅人聽從祂的話呢?看哪,聽從勝於獻祭;聽命勝於公羊的脂油。悖逆與行邪術的罪相等;頑梗與拜虛神和家神相同。你既厭棄耶和華的話,耶和華也厭棄你作王。

6. Samuel rejected Saul because God has rejected Saul (1 Samuel 15:35). 撒母耳直到死的日子,再沒有去看掃羅;但撒母耳為掃羅悲傷。耶和華也後悔立掃羅為以色列的王。

7. Conclusion: We should take this failure seriously. Don't repeat the same mistake.

No comments: