{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Christ Covenant Church","title":"A Tale of Two Kings: Saul","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3882,"description":"1Sa 2:1-10 - Similar to Charles Dickens’ intro to his famous book “A Tale of Two Cities”, Hannah’s prayer provides for us a preview and an intro to the themes present in 1st  & 2nd Samuel. In these two books, we are told the life-stories of Israel’s first two kings, Saul & David.\n1. Saul had all the potential to be a great king. \n9:1-2 = Rich upbringing & physical presence\n10:1-10 = God’s blessing, confirmation, & guidance\n10:17-24 = The approval of most of the people\n11:1-2, 5-8, 11-15\n- Saul was Israel’s yearbook selection for “Most likely to succeed”\n- Think of this from their perspective and the way Scripture lays it out\n2. Saul’s life falls apart because he refuses to change his character flaws.\n2.1. Impulsive = 1Sa 13:5-14 – Saul’s wrong sacrifice\nNotice Saul’s arrogance to take it on himself to sacrifice. (e.g. Uzziah doing the same becomes a leper for taking priestly duties upon himself 2Ch 26 – too big for your britches syndrome)\nNotice Saul makes excuses for why he did it (I feared b/c the people were scared, and the Philistines were bearing down on me)\nVERY interesting, v. 12 – word for “forced” is typically “Restrain, or control yourself”, Saul does the opposite by “restraining” his conscience and acting anyway. Rom 14:23\n2.2. Impulsive, rash & arrogant = Saul’s vow. 1Sa 14:24, 27-33, 38-46, 52\nSaul creates a far worse situation by taking a vow that no one required. One he didn’t think through and resulted in further wrongdoing (eating w/ the blood). Pro 19:2/Pro 15:28\n2.3. Impulsive, inattention to detail, arrogance, and fear of man = 1Sa 15:1-3, 7-9, 10-24, 25-31\nNotice Saul still believes he did it correctly. V.13 & TRIPLES down on doing it the right way in the face of God’s messenger (e.g., Mat7; God’s present-day messengers = pastors). Saul makes excuses for what he did, doesn’t take ownership. Usually when people are zealous about taking ownership, it’s there BEFORE doing something wrong. Instead, getting Saul to own anything is like stapling...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/UXGjftzm8Yw--IISwUKe6A6-CX1YtARptisfLmFJFoI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81Zjc4/MmNmNTMxZjNmOTgw/YjA1NWRhYmMxMTNl/YmE1Zi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}