06/23/2026
for those that missed Adult Sunday school class on June 21, this is what you missed
The dark path: Saul's journey into darkness
06.17.2026
How did I become what I became,
Looking backwards I am not the same,
The person that I used to be,
I can no longer within me see.
The path is convoluted that led me here,
Fraught with anguishes and misunderstood fears.
Never once along the path did I believe this is where it ends,
Where did my descent into darkness begin?
Vision made clear when all is finally lost,
Let me inform you of the true cost
Of accepting a destiny that should have never been mine
And the toll of chasing the fleeting sands of time.
It began many years ago,
When Samuel could not his children control
And when the people had grown tired,
A change demanded in their souls fired.
A king the people demanded so they could be
Just like everyone else they could see.
Samuel talked with God and God chose me, why?
Minding my own business, never the thought entertained to try,
Suddenly the meek was the center of attention made,
And the simpler life for kingship I did trade.
But I was naive and understood nothing of the subtle of rule,
Each step forward my boldness and brashness by position was fueled.
I saw the kings round about
And the power they had without doubt.
Had whatever the heart did desire,
I was now a king, something ignited my fire.
I had seen rituals performed by Samuel before we went to war,
I didn't understand what they were actually for,
And since Samuel was running as usually late,
I didn't think I had any time left to wait
So I began to do what the priest was expected to do,
I never realized that a priest could be so angry true,
He started spouting nonsense which I did not care about,
He would eventually get over it, I had little doubt.
But I never guessed that I would be cursed because of it
And my lineage because of it would take a hit.
I think it may have been about that time
God's presence walked away, left me with no rhyme
And then only the music from David comforted the soul,
His presence at the court became my goal.
As time moved forward, I gave him my daughter to be my son
Then to learn
That Samuel had long ago anointed him as future king,
I could not let him an end to my lineage bring,
I sought to kill the future slayer of my destiny,
Could I have anywhere in the past averted this version of me?
Power placed in the hands of the ill equipped,
My compassion for others was from me ripped
Everything and everyone sacrificed to keep
The crown placed on my head each night to sleep.
In my arrogance I believed myself to be,
The vessel of God's future kingdom, was me.
I learned at the end that I was wrong,
I had long ago betrayed God's song
And when I had nothing left, despair only faced
I finally could the full extent of my path of darkness trace.
As the sword does into my body slip
Bringing about the end of my mortal trip,
What would my life have been
If I would have allowed David his reign to begin?
Stepping aside, not fighting for the intoxicating power that corrupts,
Why didn't I allow someone my obsession to disrupt?
[End of Poem]
Setting the stage:
Ruled by judges for hundreds of years, what caused Israel to want a change to a king?
I Samuel 8: 1-22
Samuel made his corrupt sons judges, they took bribes, and did things to enrich themselves, perverting judgment.
Elders wanted a change, and wanted to be like all other nations – a king.
Why a king? Why not demand the removal of the sons? Could it have been a pretext? Elders already had some power over the people, could this have been a play to increase the power they wielded. If a king was chosen he might be easier to deal with than a judge?
Samuel chats with God, and God says give them what they want and tell them what it will actually cost. When He says it is not against you but Me that they do this does that reveal that the people were intentionally moving away from God. Yes, He says in effect that.
So what is the cost Samuel explains to the people? In effect the king will make everything that is yours to be used at his disposal. And when you grow tired of it and cry out to the Lord, he will not hear because this is what you asked for. The response: we want a king.
