Fourth Sunday in Lent, Morning Worship, March 15, 2026
Sermon Series: It’s Complicated
Sermon: How Long Will You Grieve?
Accompanying Scripture: 1 Samuel 16 : 1 – 13
How Long Will You Grieve?
I Samuel 16:1-13
3/15/2026
‘When Samuel was dedicated to God by his mother Hannah, he was just a
boy. He clearly heard God’s voice at an early age, and he and God
embarked on a unique relationship together. Samuel seemed able to
almost read God’s mind. That’s how close they were.
Eventually, the people of Israel grew tired of being ruled by judges. They
wanted; no they demanded a king. They wanted to be like the other
countries around them who were ruled by kings. I wonder if Samuel
asked the age-old question of parents everywhere: “If the other countries
jumped off a cliff, would you follow suit?”
What Samuel said was, “no.” It was a bad idea. Rule by a king leads to
heavy taxation, and constricted labor. God didn’t want this for them.
That evening, in prayer, god changed Samuel’s mind. “But, Lord,” he said.
“This is a terrible idea! Do you realize the ramifications?”
“Do it anyway. Anoint a king for them. I’ll tell who.”
God’s selection for the first king of Israel was a man named Saul. Samuel
anointed him and he went straight to work. He wasn’t very good at
leadership. His decisions lacked consistency. It has been noted that he
could have used antidepressant therapy. He needed Prozac.
God decided that Saul wasn’t going to work out. It was time to call a new
king. And this is where our text begins today. It begins with Samuel not
being ready.
He grieved Saul and his failures. He had opposed this entire idea of
having kings rule Israel. And now look at the mess they were in! Samuel
wasn’t ready for yet more change.
I suspect that you, too, have opposed a plan only to accept it later and
become attached to it. What was new, is now normal. God steps in and
works a change. We resist with the phrase, “That’s the way we’ve always
done it!” The seven last words of the dying church.
Change creates an emptiness called grieving. Our spiritual visiton
becomes cloudy; we can’t recognize that God is doing a new thing.
The kingdom that Saul led was in chaos. His leadership was inconsistent;
he decisions lacked imagination. The commonwealth of Israel needed
strong, consistent leadership with vision. Either Saul lacked the skills
required for the job or was too afraid to recognize the gifts he had.
Samuel is tired. He’s old, he’s trying to retire. Why do things have to
change? He wonders.
We can talk about change all we want, but the bottom line is death. An
idea or a concept dies. That’s what we grieve: the loss of what we once
knew to be normal and safe.
God has new normal to offer. It’s an opportunity for growth. It’s an
opportunity to step in line with God to help bring the kingdom into our
mdist.
As adventurous as I may seem, I’ve had moments of deep misgivings
around change. It was fine the way it was – sort of. It’s taking up too
much energy – it could take less if we simply accepted it. I feel as I’m in
the wilderness – maybe you are. Hang out for a while and see what God is
up to.
What God is up to in our scripture passage today is turning the rules
upside down. God sends Samuel on a risky journey to Jesse’s home.
Samuel takes one look at the eldest son and says to himself, “This is the
one.” God says, no. “You’re looking on the outside. I’m looking on the
inside.” One by one, Jesse’s son are paraded before Samuel, who quickly
realizes that none of them God’s choice.
“Do you have any more sons?” he asks. They send for David. They treat
him like the runt of the litter. He’s the shepherd out in the field, no
invited to dinner. He’s just a kid. Why would God choose him? All he does
is sing and play his harp. He’s a dreamer, for heaven’s sake!
But, he’s the one. God’s choice for the next King of Israel. Samuel
anoints him and they sit down to eat.
It’ll be several years before David takes over as ruler of Israel. Saul will
continue to rule and David will grow into a fine young man. He will
secretly support Israel’s battles and will tease Saul to distraction. His
dedication to God will set examples for others to follow.
As king, he will unite Israel into one kingdom and build Jerusalem as the
capital city. The borders will be sound, and his decisions will be
consistent. He will also commit date rape, adultery, and murder. The end
of his rule will be marked with family tragedy. He will die a broken man.
Out of this dysfunctional family, though, will come Israel’s next ruler:
Solomon, the wise.
The Old Testament is filled with stories of men and women who
accomplish great things with God’s help. None of them is a saint. They
are all flawed human beings like you and me.
That’s the Good News of this text today. God calls us young and old, rich
and poor, to serve in the kingdom. With God’s help, we make a difference
in the world.
All glory and honor be to God.
Amen.