1. Tragedy in Jabesh Gilead (1-5)

Saul did not act like a king. He still plowed his father's oxen. Then something happened. The Ammonites besieged Jabesh. The men of Jabesh were powerless to defend themselves against the militant and sadistic Ammonites. They could only surrender--but the terms of surrender were terrible. As a last resort, they sent messengers throughout Israel asking for help.

2. Saul burns with anger (6-15)

Israel was a loose confederation of tribes; they didn't know how to help each other. When the people of Israel heard about Jabesh, they wept in helpless rage. But when Saul heard, he burned with anger; the Spirit of God came on him. His family-centered life ended. He summoned Israel in a dramatic way to follow him to battle; the terror of the Lord fell on them all and they gathered as one man, fought and completely defeated the Ammonites.

Application: Lord, give us burning anger at unrighteousness and evil.
One Word: A man filled with God's Spirit