How does 1 Samuel 11:3 demonstrate the importance of seeking godly counsel? 1 Samuel 11 : 3 – the verse itself “Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to deliver us, we will surrender to you.” (1 Samuel 11 : 3) Setting the scene • Nahash the Ammonite has surrounded Jabesh-gilead and threatens to gouge out every right eye (vv. 1–2). • The elders are under crushing pressure, yet they pause instead of agreeing to immediate surrender. • Their request for seven days gives them time to consult the wider covenant community and, by extension, the Lord who watches over that community. What the elders model about godly counsel • Humility – they admit they don’t have all the answers or resources on their own. • Community awareness – they know Israel is one people under God; isolation is dangerous, consultation is wise. • Practical faith – seeking help from the people of God is tantamount to seeking help from the God of those people (compare Deuteronomy 20 : 4). • Patience under pressure – instead of panicking, they carve out time for deliberate, collective discernment. • Hope of deliverance – the very request implies confidence that somewhere in Israel the Lord has a deliverer ready. Scripture’s wider witness on counsel • “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11 : 14) • “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15 : 22) • Saul himself becomes the human instrument of rescue after the messengers reach him (1 Samuel 11 : 6-11), proving the wisdom of seeking help. • The early church followed the same pattern—seeking collective discernment before major decisions (Acts 15 : 22-29). • God invites His people to ask for wisdom directly as well (James 1 : 5), yet He often supplies that wisdom through other believers. Why this matters for us today • Pressures still come; so does the temptation to make snap, solitary choices. • The pattern in 1 Samuel 11 : 3 encourages: – Tell trusted believers what’s happening. – Allow time for prayer, Scripture reflection, and shared counsel. – Expect God to raise up help in ways we can’t foresee. • Ignoring counsel courts spiritual and practical disaster (Proverbs 24 : 6). Heeding it opens the door for God-sent deliverance. Practical take-home points • Keep relationships strong so that, in crisis, “messengers” already exist. • When a big decision looms, resist “deadline panic.” Build in prayerful breathing room. • Seek counsel that is rooted in Scripture, not merely in opinion. • Remember that waiting on God’s people is often a way of waiting on God Himself. |
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