Saturday, July 6, 2024

1 Samuel 11:12-13 Take the Credit

 ”Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is he who said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has accomplished salvation in Israel.”“

‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭11‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬


a. Who is he who said, “Shall Saul reign over us?” At this moment of great victory, the supporters of Saul wanted to expose and kill those who didn’t support him as king before (as described in 1 Samuel 10:27).


b. Not a man shall be put to death this day: Saul wisely knew this was no time to take revenge on his opponents. Satan, having failed in the attack through Nahash now tried to attack Israel – even in victory – by dividing the nation against each other. Satan will attack us in any way he can, and he often uses times of victory to attack.


c. Today the LORD has accomplished salvation in Israel: In 1 Samuel 11:3, the men of Jabesh Gilead wondered if there was one to save us. Saul was the man the LORD raised up to bring the victory, yet Saul himself knew that the LORD has accomplished salvation in Israel. It was the LORD who did the saving and Saul was humble enough to know it. At this moment of victory, it was all the more tempting to take the credit for himself.


Take The Credit 


Years ago while performing volunteer work as a chaplain at the Arizona State Veterans Home I visited a couple in the veterans room. He was in bed, in hospice and his wife was distraught. I prayed for them, anointed him with oil and prayed for healing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 


The following week when I returned he was sitting up in the common area eating a hamburger!

His wife attempted to give me the credit but I stopped her, explaining it was the Lord who saved him not me. I told her to cherish every second, minute, hour and day that the Lord has given them. She said she would. 

I firmly believe that the Lord gave them more time together so she could prepare and get her house in order. He lived another six months.

It was the Lord who did the saving and I was humble enough to know it. 


There are times we may be tempted to take the credit but we need to be careful not to give Satan a foothold.

Blessings 





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