King Saul – An “I” Problem

April 4, 2021

by Ross Ward Text: I Samuel 9-15 Looks to himself – at Gilgal I Samuel 13:5-14 – Saul offers sacrifice Samuel delayed Philistines prepared to attack Saul’s soldiers ran scared King Saul’s ‘I’ problem I saw, I said to myself, I have not, I forced myself I Samuel 12:24-25 – Samuel’s instructions for Israel I…

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Portraits of God’s Leaders

April 2, 2021

A series of lessons presented by Ross Ward of Des Moines, Iowa, April 4-9, 2021 King Saul – An ‘I’ Problem Saul relies on his own will and ability, ultimately refused to accept responsibility for his actions (I Samuel 8-16) Jesus – Humble Servant King Jesus is King but not according to the world’s standards…

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The Rule of Fear

October 23, 2020

by Matthew W. Bassford I suspect that the longer a preacher works with a congregation, the more the congregation gets used to the preacher and can identify his particular hobbyhorses. That being the case, I’m sure that some of you, at least, have figured out that I’m particularly interested in fear. In my time, I’ve…

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How could God allow the Gibeonites to kill seven of Saul’s sons?

October 15, 2019

Question: In II Samuel 21, it speaks of how David spared seven of Saul’s descendants for the Gibeonites to kill, and afterward, God answered prayers. That just doesn’t make sense. Did God justify that once upon a time? Answer: “Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year;…

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How did Saul break the commandment of the Lord in I Samuel 13:11-14?

September 21, 2015

Question: How did Saul break the commandment of the Lord in I Samuel 13:11-14? He was offering to God. Answer: Saul did make an offering to God, but he did not do it in the manner which God wanted offerings done. It did not matter that Saul felt he was compelled to make an offering…

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Did God cause Saul to commit suicide?

June 29, 2015

Question: There are two accounts of Saul’s death in the Old Testament. Both say he committed suicide (I Samuel 31:4-5 and I Chronicles 10:14) but the latter one also says that: “the LORD killed Saul because …” Why the difference? Answer: “So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because…

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Was the spirit that came to Saul at En Dor a fallen angel?

February 4, 2013

Question: Hi, Reading through your questions in 2011, on 01/13 you speak about the spirit who visited Saul. What was the spirit? I’ve often wondered myself and having checked various sites on the web, many actually favor a fallen angel. Why is that? What does the Bible account actually say? Answer: “And Saul perceived that it…

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Why did Saul ask whose son David was after his battle with Goliath?

November 4, 2011

Question: I’m reading in I Samuel 16:21. It says that David came into Saul’s service to play harp for Saul then became one of Saul’s armor-bearers.  Saul even sent word to Jesse saying to ‘allow David to remain in my service,’ so I would assume that Saul knew who David was.  However, in I Samuel…

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