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MAY 4
Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard Psalm 55:16–23
this news, and his anger was greatly aroused. 16 As for me, I will call upon God,
7 So he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in And the LORD shall save me.
pieces, and sent them throughout all the terri- 17 Evening and morning and at noon
tory of Israel by the hands of messengers, say- I will pray, and cry aloud,
ing, “Whoever does not go out with Saul and And He shall hear my voice.
Samuel to battle, so it shall be done to his 18 He has redeemed my soul in peace
oxen.” from the battle that was
And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, against me,
8
and they came out with one consent. When For there were many against me.
he numbered them in Bezek, the children of 19 God will hear, and afflict them,
Israel were three hundred thousand, and the Even He who abides from of old.
9
men of Judah thirty thousand. And they said Selah
to the messengers who came, “Thus you shall Because they do not change,
say to the men of Jabesh Gilead: ‘Tomorrow, Therefore they do not fear God.
by the time the sun is hot, you shall have
help.’ ” Then the messengers came and 20 He has put forth his hands against
reported it to the men of Jabesh, and they those who were at peace
10
were glad. Therefore the men of Jabesh said, with him;
“Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you He has broken his covenant.
21
may do with us whatever seems good to you.” The words of his mouth were smoother
11 So it was, on the next day, that Saul put the than butter,
people in three companies; and they came into But war was in his heart;
the midst of the camp in the morning watch, His words were softer than oil,
and killed Ammonites until the heat of the day. Yet they were drawn swords.
And it happened that those who survived were 22 Cast your burden on the LORD,
scattered, so that no two of them were left And He shall sustain you;
together. He shall never permit the righteous to
12 Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is be moved.
he who said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring
23 But You, O God, shall bring
the men, that we may put them to death.”
13 But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to them down to the pit of destruction;
death this day, for today the LORD has accom- Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall
plished salvation in Israel.” not live out half their days;
14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let But I will trust in You.
us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.”
15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there
they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal.
There they made sacrifices of peace offerings 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD. The
before the LORD, and there Saul and all the word for “burden”implies one’s circumstances,
men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
one’s lot. The psalmist promises that the Lord
will uphold the believer in the struggles of life.

11:15 they made Saul king before the LORD. Proverbs 15:18–20
All the people came to crown Saul king that 18 A wrathful man stirs up strife,
day.The process of entering the kingship was But he who is slow to anger allays
the same for both Saul and David: 1) commis-
sioned by the Lord (9:1–10:16; 16:1–13); 2) contention.
confirmed by military victory (10:17–11:11; 19 The way of the lazy man is like
16:14; 2 Sam. 1:27); and 3) crowned (11:12–15; a hedge of thorns,
2 Sam. 2:4; 5:3). peace offerings. Sacrifices of But the way of the upright
thanksgiving (see Lev. 7:13). rejoiced greatly. is a highway.
Along with the victory over the Ammonites,
there was a great celebration over the nation 20 A wise son makes a father glad,
being united. But a foolish man despises
his mother.

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