1 Samuel 17:12

1 Samuel 17:12 says, Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.  While the armies of the Philistines and Israel were facing off against each other, and Goliath was taunting the army of Israel,  David was tending his father's sheep.  Jesse was old at this time and was somewhat reliant on his eight sons, of whom David, the anointed king, was the youngest.  Jesse's three oldest sons had gone to join Saul, so there was likely  even more responsibility falling on David, but he didn't use his appointed position to shirk his responsibility, just as we as Christians should not use our called position of authority, if we have one, to lord it over other Christians.   Verse thirteen adds, And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.  The three eldest sons of Jesse who followed Saul to the battle are named here.  They had followed Saul to the battle, but so far there was no battle.  They were there while Goliath was issuing his challenge, but they had not accepted it.  We may be ready to join the battle against evil today until we see what seems to be a giant standing before us.  Verse fourteen continues, And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.  We are told again that David was the youngest of the brothers.  We may be younger spiritually than those around us, and they may already be technically foighting the war against evil today, but that doesn't make us less qualified as long as we are obedient to God.  Verse fifteen continues, But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.  David had evidently had gone home at some point from serving Saul, because he was needed to feed his father's sheep.  We need to remember our everyday responsibilities in the church as Christians, and not just get caught up in waiting for the coming big battles.  Verse sixteen states, And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.  Goliath had been issuing his challenge for forty days, and no one answered it, including Saul and David's three brothers.  We need to do more than be looking at the challenges confronting us as fo)lowers of Christ today.  We need to engage in the battle.  Verse seventeen adds, And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren.   Jesse became concerned about his three sons, and called, on David to carry them some parched corn and bread, and also to check on their welfare.  We should always be concerned about the welfare of our fellow Christians and may need to help them materially at times.  Verse eighteen continues, And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.  Jesse also sent some cheese to those over his sons.  He did not just limit his providing provisions to his family, and neither should we limit our providing help to those in need to our immediate family.  

 .

1 Samuel 17:1

1 Samuel 17:1 says, Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. The Philistines had invaded Israel, something Matthew Henry says wouldn't have happened if the people of Israel had remained faithful to God.  We as the church are God's people today, and we cannot afford to allow the world to invade us.  If we begin to turn away from any of God's teachings, we are in danger of allowing this to happen.   Verse two adds, And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.  Saul and the army of Isreal were armed for battle against the Philistines across a valley.  Saul had evidently gotten over being totally controlled by the evil spirit at this time and was ready to lead Israel, but God still wasn't with him. People today who have been depressed, who don't have a personal relationship with God, may get better by some method, and Matthew Henry says it may have been David's playing the harp that improved Saul’s disposition, but they will never be truly happy and satisfied.  He also says that instead of remaining around the palace as Saul’s armor bearer, that even though David had been anointed king, he went back home to tend his father’s sheep.  David had not gotten puffed up with his own importance, and neither should we.  Verse three continues, And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.  As stated, the army of the  Philistines and the army of Israel faced off against each other across a valley.  We need a dividing line between the people of the world and us as Christians today, as we will always be at war with them spiritually.  What we need to pray for is that we will always be acting under God's direction and by His power as we battle against evil in the world.   Verse four states, And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.  The Philistines sent out a champion to challenge the people of Israel.  He was a giant, that I have always heard was around nine feet tall, but Matthew Henry says he was almost twelve feet tall.  Either way, he towered over any of the Israelites, even Saul himself.  We may face challenges that seem like giants today, but if we are faithful to God, they will never be more powerful  than we are.  Verse five adds, And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.  Verse six continues, And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.  Goliath was heavily armored, and had to have been an imposing figure standing tall before the army of Israel.  We may face imposing looking challenges today, some which even defy us to put our faith in God, but God will always be bigger if we will just remain faithful to Him.  Verse seven continues, And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.  Not only was Goliath armor clad, but he also had some impressive weapons, both offensive and defensive, with him.  Looking from simple physical view, he would have seemed undefeatable to the people of Israel.  We may face what seems to be impossible odds today physically or materialistically, but if God is with us, we don't need to be concerned, because He has already ensured us the ultimate victory.   Verse eight declares, And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.  Goliath issued a challenge to the people of Israel.  He was a Philistine and they were a part of Saul's army, so instead of the forces of the armies fighting, why did they not send out a man to face him one-on-one.  If we are presented a challenge to face what seems to be impossible odds today as we fight against evil in the world, as a follower of Christ, are we willing to face the challenge?  Verse nine adds, If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. Goliath proposed a winner take all battle, with the losers serving the winners.  We actually are in a winner take all battle against the world today, but as Christians, we have God on our side if we are obedient to Him.  Verse ten continues, And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.  Goliath issued a defiant challenge to the army of Israel, asking them to send out a man too face them.  I believe we often face similar challenges today, though we may not have a physical giant standing before us.  We are challenged to stand before what often seem to be impossible odds as the world fights against God today.  Verse eleven concludes, When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.  When Saul and his army heard this, they were greatly dismayed and were afraid.  They at this time were not God's army, but Saul’s army, and they had evidently forgotten about the power of God.  If we begin to rely on our own power and forget about God and His power, we may be afraid to face the giants that we encounter. 

1 Samuel 16:14

1 Samuel 16:14 says, Btt the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.  God's Spirit departed from Saul, and it says he was troubled by an evil spirit from the LORD, but I don't believe that God actually sends evil spirits to people.  I believe that it would be more accurate to say that because God was no longer with Saul because of Saul’s actions and not God abandoning him, that Saul’s spirit toward God became evil.  If God is responsible for our doing evil things, He cannot condemn us for doing them and still be a just God, but He doesn't and He is.  Veres fifteen adds, And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.  Saul’s servants even recognized that he was becoming troubled by an evil spirit, though they accredited the evil spirit to God sending it and not to Satan, the true source.  We should never attempt to hold God responsible for the evil in the world in general or our life in particular.  Verse sixteen continues, Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.  They suggested sending for someone who could play the harp well to come and sooth Saul’s soul  with music when the evil spirit was upon him.  Music always seemed to play a big role in the lives of God's people, and though it cannot relieve us from the responsibility of sin, it can make life easier to deal with at times, especially if it is music dedicated to God.  Verse seventeen states, And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.  Saul told his servants to find a man who could play well and bring him to him.  Saul did not thank them for their suggestion, nor ask that they see if they could find someone willing to come and play, but he acted more as a tyrant than a loving king, I believe.   He also did not express any desire to repent and make things right between God and himself.  If someone is attempting to help us in times of trouble today, we should be thankful to them and not act as though they owe us their help.  Verse eighteen adds, Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. On of the servants said he knew of such a man, who was not only cunning in playing the harp, but was a valiant man of war who was prudent in all matters and a nice looking man, whom God was with.  He was a son of Jesse from Bethlehem, and though the servant hadn't said so yet, his name was David.  The servant had suggested David, whom God had chosen as Saul’s successor as king, come and help ease Saul’s spirit.  David really checked all the boxes that would be expected in the king of Israel, especially the fact that God was with him.  Those who will not obey God often fail to recognize that there are better people around them that God has in place to replace them, especially if they are involved in the leadership of the church.  Verse nineteen continues, Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.  Again, Saul did not send a messenger to Jesse and ask if David, who is now identified, could come, but simply demanded that he be sent.  Knowing that God had already ordained David to be the king, I have to wonder if he thought about telling Saul this at that time.  Sometimes, God may lead us to simply wait and be obedient to Him as we deal with other people, including those in power over us, even though we know that Jesus Christ is already the only King.  Verse twenty says, And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.  Jesse sent an gift along with David to Saul, who was as yet the king in the view of the people of Israel.  Jesse did not attempt to force a change in leadership, but left it up to God.  We also need to wait on God to carry out His plan today instead of attempting to force it on people.  Verse twenty-one adds, And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.  Though David had been anointed to be the new king of Israel, he came to Saul willing out of love for him as king and became Saul’s armourbearer.   David did not come in arrogance stating that Saul should serve him, but came with respect and humility, waiting on God to tell him when the time was right for him to assume the position of king.  We also must never get ahead of God's plan, especially if we are acting out of self-pride and arrogance.  Verse twenty-two continues, And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.  Saul did ask Jesse to allow David to remain with him, because David had found favor in his sight.  If Saul had only known who David really was, the outcome might have been different, but he still saw David as only someone to serve him. I believe that if people really knew Who Jesus Christ is, they would treat Him differently, but too many people feel that they or some god they serve are superior to Him.  Verse twenty-three concludes, And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.  When Saul was under the influence of the evil spirit, David would play the harp for him and he would be refreshed.   We would likely say that Saul was depressed and that David cheered him up with music.  I believe that if we as Christians are depressed today that it is because we have allowed an evil spirit of the world to control us. As followers of Christ, saved forever by God's mercy and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross in our place, we really have nothing to be depressed about, no matter how bad things may be in this world.  This is not to say that depression is not a reality in the life of Christians, but that the source of overcoming it is allowing God to take the burden by our faith in Him.

1 Samuel 16:6

1 Samuel 16:6 says, And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.  When  Samuel was looking at the sons of Jesse to find and anoint the new king, when he saw Eliah he said that surely he was God's anointed.  He was looking at physical attributes, but that is not the way that God calls His leaeders.  Verse seven adds, But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.  God told Samuel that he was not to look on physical attributes, because God had refused Eliah.  Saul had looked very much like we would think it king should look, but he turned out to be all wrong, because he would not follow God.  We may see people today who look very much like we think a preacher should look, and yet they will be all wrong because they aren't called byGod.  God told Samuel that He looked on the heart and not physical attributes, and He still does today.  Verse eight states, Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.  Jesse began to call his other sons, calling Abinadab next.  Samuel said that God also rejected him, or this as the KJV says.  Verse nine adds, Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.  Next, Jesse had Shammah pass before Samuel, and Samuel gave the same response.   We have to assume that after Eliah that Samuel began to rely on God to direct him to the correct son of Jesse instead of relying on their physical appearance, and God was still telling them that he had seen the right one yet.  We can never grow impatient in selecting the right person for a role of leadership in the church today, but must wait for God to lead us to the right person.  Verse ten continues, Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.  Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said that God had not chosen any of them.  Since God had told Samuel that he was going to select His king from Jesse's house, I believe they both may have been getting frustrated by this time, and his sons may have been disappointed.   Still, we must never become frustrated as we wait on God to reveal His will in any situation.   Verse eleven says, And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.  Samuel asked Jesse if these were all his children, and he said the youngest remained keeping the sheep.   He evidently was left to work while the others were at the feast.  He was the youngest, serving as a lowly shepherd.  From the standpoint of the Jews, he would have been very far down from the inheritance aspect, so was easily overlooked.  Those that God calls to serve in the church today, especially as leaders in the church, might be easily overlooked because of their physical looks or worldly qualifications.   Jesus Himself would not even be considered by many larger churches today to be their pastor, because His resume would never even get Him consideration.  Samuel told Jesse to send for this last son, and said they would do nothing else until he was there.  Verse twelve continues, And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.  When Jesse's youngest son came before Samuel, we are told that he was of beautiful  countenance, and God told Samuel to arise and anoint him, because he was the one God had chosen.  Still, he was not chosen because of his looks, but because of his heart for God, as should our leaders in the church be chosen today.  Yet, I believe that we too often look at worldly qualifications.  Verse thirteen concludes, Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.  Samuel anointed David to be the new king in the midst of his brothers, and then he returned to Ramah. We are told that the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.  He had been anointed as the king of Israel, but there was no immediate transfer of power.  God has called each of us to a place of service in the church today, if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, and once we have, the Holy Spirit indwells us from that day forward.  We like David may not immediately fill the position that we are called to, but we need to place our life in God's hands as He prepares us to serve in our called position. 

1 Samuel 16:1

1 Samuel 16:1 says, And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.  God then asked Samuel how long he was going to mourn for Saul, since He had rejected him.  If God has rejected a leader today, we don't need to continue to mourn about losing them.  God then told Samuel to go to Bethlehem to the house of Jesse, because He had chosen one of his sons to be the new king.  God will never leave Himself without leaders in the church today, as long as we as followers of Christ are willing to listen to Him.  Verse two adds, And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.  Samuel questioned God, asking how he could go, since Saul would kill him if he tried to.  God instructed Samuel to take a heifer and tell Saul that he was going to make a sacrifice to God.  This was not a lie, since it was a part of Samuel anointing David to be king.  When God is guiding us to do something, we don't necessarily have to tell people everything that is involved in what we are doing.  We simply have to obey and do it and leave the rest up to God.  We might think Samuel would have had enough faith in God to just do as God directed him to do, but sometimes even people of faith will have moments of doubt.  Verse three continues, And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.  God then instructed Samuel to invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and then God would show him who to anoint.   Samuel had to put aside his fears and act on God's instructions, and so must we today.  This is especially true when we feel uneasy or even afraid to do what God is calling us to do, I believe.   We must put our faith into action no matter what.  Verse four states, And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?  When Samuel came to Bethlehem, the elders were afraid and asked him if he came in peace.  The elders were afraid because they feared that Samuel had come to announce a curse against them, which would indicate that there might have been something that they were doing that they knew was wrong.  As long as we remain obedient to God, we have no reason to fear His judgment of our actions.  Verse five adds, And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.  Samuel told them that he came to offer a sacrifice to the LORD and invited them to come.  Samuel also sanctified Jesse and his sons and called them to the sacrifice.  Though his specific purpose was to anoint one of Jesse's son as king, all the elders were invited to the sacrifice.  Even in worship services for a specific purpose, all Christians should be welcomed to attend, and so should lost people.  Everyone should always be welcome at God's house and at services where we worship Him.

1 Samuel 15:27

1 Samuel 15:27 says, And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. When Samuel turned to leave Saul after telling him that the kingdom was going to be removed from him, Saul grabbed hold of him so tightly that he tore Samuel's garment.  We cannot physically force God to bless us by grabbing hold of His people today and demanding that they bless us.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.  Samuel used the tearing of his garment as a way to illustrate God's taking the kingdom away from Saul.  Just as Saul had torn his garment, God had torn the kingdom away from Saul and had given it to one who was better than him.  This did not mean physically better, but spiritually better.  We may be the best physically to do what God needs done, but if we are not the best spiritually, He will call someone who is.  Verse twenty-nine continues, And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.  Samuel told Saul that the Strength of Israel, God Himself, would not lie, so Saul could be certain that what Samuel was telling that God had revealed to him would certainly come to pass.   As God's word says, "Heaven and earth may pass away, but God's word is eternal."   Samuel also said God did not repent, because He had no reason to.  What He had decided about Saul and his kingship was nothing that needed Him to change His mind about.  God does not make mistakes that He later has to change His mind about, nor will He ever be guilty of anything He needs to repent for.  Verse thirty states, Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.  Saul at least acknowledged that he had sinned, but it was more of an attempt to get Samuel to stand before God for him than a genuine repentance I believe.  He also referred to God as Samuel's God and not as his God.  We cannot repent to a God Who is not our God.  Verse thirty-one adds, So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.  Samuel turned again after Saul, and Saul worshipped the LORD.  Matthew Henry says this may have been more to appease the people of Israel than out of a real concern for Saul.  I don't believe Samuel  compromised God's direction in order to do this though.  The new king, David, was not yet ready to assume the throne, and God had said He would give them a king, and He did not go back on His word.  When God tells us He will do something He will always do it, even if He is doing it to show us that we were wrong in what we asked for.  Verse thirty-two declares, Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.  Samuel sent for Agag, who was already supposed to have been killed, and Agag came to him meekly and said that surely the bitterness of death was past.  He was hoping to continue to be spared.  Sometimes those who have treated Christians the worst, if they find themselves in a bad situation, will call out to those same Christians for help, saying surely you don't still hold me responsible for my past actions.   Verse thirty-three adds, And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.  Samuel said that just as Agag and those who followed him had made women childless by the sword, likewise Samuel was going to make Agag's mother childless by the sword, and he cut Agag into pieces before the LORD.   Samuel did not attempt to hide what he was doing, but did so openly before the LORD, which I believe implied that he had God's blessing in doing so.  Anything that we as followers of Christ are doing today, we should be able to do it openly in front of God and His people,.  Verse thirty-four continues, Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.  After that, Samuel and Saul parted ways.  Samuel had anointed Saul and then had to tell him what God had said about the kingdom being taken from Saul, so there was little left to keep them together.  Sometimes, we may have to let certain people go from our life, because they are toxic to our relationship with God.  Of course,I believe that we should do this only after a lot of prayer asking God's guidance in the situation.   Verse thirty-five concludes, And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.. Samuel no longer came to Saul, but he continued to pray for him in sorrow.  Saul could have been a great king had he been faithful to God.  We may have to part company with someone for Godly reasons, but we should never stop praying for them.  We are told God repented of making Saul king, not because God had been wrong, but because Saul did not obey Him. If God calls us to a position today, if we fail, it won't be because God made a mistake in calling us,but because we failed to be obedient to His will for us.  God didn't call Saul for him to fail, but because He acknowledged Saul’s potential to be a good king.

1 Samuel 15:22

1 Samuel 15:22 says, And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  We need to understand and live by this today.  As Samuel told Saul, what God wants from us as followers of Christ is our obedience to His word.  Any offering that we bring Him is already His.  Of course, having said this, being obedient to His word also means bringing Him our tithes and offerings, but not as an act of obligation, but of love and obedience.  Verse twenty-three adds, For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.  Samuel added that rebellion against God’s word was as bad as witchcraft and stubbornness against obeying His word is as bad as iniquity and idolatry.  We may profess to put our faith in God, but if we at the same time resist doing as He commands or calls us to do, we need to heed this warning.  Samuel then told Saul, who had just recently been anointed king, that because of his attitude toward God, his rejecting His word, that God had rejected Saul as the king of Israel.   Verse twenty-four states, And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.  Saul again attempted to put the responsibility for his sin on his fear of the people he was king over.  He said because he feared them, he obeyed their voice.  As Christians, we can never allow our fear of anyone or anything in this world to keep us from being obedient to God’s word.  Verse twenty-five adds, Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.  Saul asked Samuel to forgive him and turn to him again so that he might worship the LORD, but we are not told that he confessed to God and turned to Him by faith.  No one in this world can restore our relationship to God but us.  I believe that Saul was more interested in continuing to be king than he was in following God, and some people today want God to bless what they are doing more than they want to be obedient to His word.  Verse twenty-five declares, And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.  Samuel refused to do as Saul asked, even though Saul was the appointed king of Israel, and therefore technically in a position of power over Samuel.  Samuel told Saul that since he had rejected God’s word, that God had rejected him as the king of Israel.  Of course, we know that there is but One King of God's people, and that is Jesus Christ, but God does call us to service in His kingdom as followers of Christ, and we need to obey His calling by faith, and we can never change His word because we are afraid of those around us.