How does 1 Samuel 15:28 connect with God's sovereignty in Romans 13:1? Setting the Scene in 1 Samuel 15:28 • Samuel confronts Saul after Saul’s partial obedience concerning the Amalekites. • “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you.” (1 Samuel 15:28) • Key truth: God Himself removes Saul; the transfer of power is not a human coup but a divine act. The Principle Declared in Romans 13:1 • “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been appointed by God.” (Romans 13:1) • Paul states that every earthly ruler owes his position to God’s appointment. • Sovereignty is comprehensive—covering kings, governors, emperors, presidents, and even local officials. Connecting the Dots: One Story, One Sovereign 1. Same Author, Same Authority – The LORD who “tore” Saul’s throne is the same LORD who “appoints” every ruler in Paul’s day. – Scripture presents a consistent picture: God actively places leaders in office and removes them at will. 2. Sovereignty Expressed Negatively and Positively – 1 Samuel 15:28 shows God’s negative act: removing a disobedient king. – Romans 13:1 shows God’s positive act: installing and sustaining governing powers. – Together, they show both sides of His rule—He gives and He takes away (Job 1:21). 3. Accountability and Submission – Saul loses the throne because he ignored God’s command, proving rulers are accountable to the Sovereign above them (cf. Psalm 2:10-12). – Subjects must submit to authorities (Romans 13:1-2) because resisting them is ultimately resisting God, who ordained them. – God’s supremacy means both ruler and ruled live under His hand. Supporting Scriptural Echoes • Daniel 2:21: “He removes kings and establishes them.” • Psalm 75:6-7: “Exaltation does not come from the east or the west… God is the Judge; He brings down one and exalts another.” • Proverbs 21:1: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.” Implications for Today • Comfort: No election, coup, or revolution overturns God’s ultimate plan; He remains on the throne. • Humility: Leaders serve at God’s pleasure; like Saul, they can be removed. • Obedience: Believers honor rulers, not because rulers are flawless, but because God is sovereign. • Vigilance: When a leader defies God, the faithful trust that the same God who “tore” Saul’s kingdom can act again in His time and way. Summary Snapshot 1 Samuel 15:28 illustrates God’s right to depose; Romans 13:1 affirms His right to dispose. Taken together, they showcase a single, seamless doctrine: the LORD alone is King of kings, orchestrating the rise and fall of every earthly power for His righteous purposes. |
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