Day 99-11

VII The Reign of Saul - 1065-1025 B.C. ~ cont.

A. Events in Saul's reign prior to David's acceptance as king (35 years) ~ cont.

2. Confirmed as king

a. Victory over Ammonites at Jabesh-Gilead - 1 Samuel 11:1-14
b. Public acceptance at Gilgal - 1 Samuel 11:15
c. Defeats Hagarites - 1 Chronicles 5:10, 18-22
3. Samuel's instruction at Gilgal - 1 Samuel 12:1-25
4. First war with Philistines - 1 Samuel 13:1-7, 19-23
5. Saul's first rejection as king - 1 Samuel 13:8-18

{pages 435 - 439}

And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.  (1 Samuel 11:6)

That phrase 'Spirit of God came upon' is only used 5 times.  Worth sharing:

And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.  (Numbers 24:2)

I was pondering upon that...Balaam spoke the Word truthfully as it concerned Israel, but then turned around and tried to ensnare them with the Moabite women.  He eventually was slain by the sword...as was Saul.  If the Spirit of God came upon them, it would *appear* that they were chosen.  But were they?  Did they have eternal life?  Or where they just used of God for a season to bring about His desired plan?

And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.  (1 Samuel 10:10)

Again, prophetic utterances, but from a truly born again chosen vessel?

And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:   (2 Chronicles 15:1)

 And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.  (2 Chronicles 24:20)

came - H1961 - A primitive root (compare H1933); to exist, that is, be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary).  (Num 24:2, 2 Chron 15:1)

came - H6743 - A primitive root; to push forward, in various senses (literally or figuratively, transitively or intransitively). (1 Sam 10:10, 11:6)

came - H3847 - A primitive root; properly wrap around, that is, (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively.  (2 Chron 24:20)

What is the difference between came upon versus filled with?

There are 9 verses which have the words filled and Holy Ghost:  John the Baptist ~ Elisabeth ~ Zacharias ~ those gathered together at Pentecost ~ Peter ~  Peter, John and their own company ~ Saul/Paul ~ disciples.

filled - G4130 - A prolonged form of a primary word πλέω pleō (which appears only as an alternate in certain tenses and in the reduplicated form of πίμπλημι pimplēmi to “fill” (literally or figuratively [imbue, influence, supply]); specifically to fulfil (time).

filled - G4137 - From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.

• G4134 - From G4130; replete, or covered over; by analogy complete.

With King Saul, the Spirit of the Lord rested upon him, but God also withdrew it...so not an eternal infilling/calling?  A temporary manifestation to work out Father's plan?  Was Saul 'chosen' of God for eternal life?  Or, like Balaam, given an outward ability to fulfill a temporary calling?

Perplexing...Lord, I do not grasp all of what I have pondered upon this day, nor completely comprehend the difference between 'the Spirit of God coming upon' someone versus the 'infilling of the Holy Ghost' beyond what I have postured thus far.  I know that You have an answer and will give me an understanding about it, in Your timing.

Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.  (1 Samuel 12:17)

Not being a farmer, I wondered about this passage.  It would seem that dry would be the preferred climate when harvesting wheat (or other grains) to keep them from mildew or mold.  Gill's commentary:

Is it not wheat harvest today?.... Of the time of wheat harvest; see Gill on 1Sa_6:13. Rain usually fell in Judea only twice a year, called the former and the latter rain; and from the seventeenth of Nisan or March, to the sixteenth of Marchesvan or October, it was not usual for rain to fall, and so not in harvest, at that time especially, see Pro_26:1. R. Joseph Kimchi says, in the land of Israel rain never fell all the days of harvest; and this is confirmed by Jerom, who lived long in those parts; who says (o), at the end of the month of June, and in the month of July, we never saw rain in those provinces, especially in Judea. And Samuel not only by putting this question would have them observe that it was the time of wheat harvest in general, but on that day in particular the men, were at work in the fields reaping the wheat, &c. and so was not cloudy, and inclining to rain, but all serene and clear, or otherwise they would not have been employed in cutting down the corn; all which made the following case the more remarkable: 


I will call unto the Lord, and he shall send thunder and rain; in a miraculous and preternatural way, there being nothing in nature preparatory thereunto, and this purely at the prayer of Samuel: 


that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking you a king; was attended with aggravated circumstances, and highly offensive to God, though he had gratified them in it, of which this violent storm would be an indication, and might serve to convince them of their folly, as well as of their wickedness, and that they had no need of a king, since Samuel their judge could do as much or more by his prayers than a king could do by his sword; and of which they had had sufficient proof before this, and that in the same way, 1Sa_7:10. 

I googled all the different ways to ask, but did not find a conclusive answer to my question.  I still wonder if it ravished the harvest?