How does this verse connect with Jesus' teachings on serving others? Verse at a Glance “But he refused, saying, ‘I will not eat.’ However, his servants and the woman urged him, and he listened to them; so he rose from the ground and sat on the bed.” (1 Samuel 28:23) Hidden Sparks of Service in a Dark Chapter • Saul is spiritually adrift, physically exhausted, and gripped by fear. • His own attendants—plus the medium he should never have visited—press in, meet his basic need, and strengthen him with food. • Their quiet ministry shows that even in moments of failure and judgment, acts of practical care still matter to God. Echoes in Jesus’ Teaching • Meeting physical need first – Matthew 25:35 – 40: “I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat.” – The servants feed Saul before he can face the night ahead; Jesus highlights the same priority. • Compassion for the undeserving – Luke 6:27: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” – Saul’s choices jeopardized everyone, yet they serve him anyway. • Servant leadership over status – Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” – Those “beneath” the king take the initiative, modeling the very posture Jesus commends. • Tangible, hands-on care – John 13:14 – 15: Jesus washes feet—ordinary people using ordinary means to refresh the weary. – The meal prepared for Saul is the Old Testament counterpart to foot-washing. • Bearing one another’s burdens – Galatians 6:2: “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – They lift Saul from the ground—literally carrying his burden of weakness. Why This Matters to Us • Service isn’t canceled by someone else’s sin; it’s highlighted by it. • God often uses unnamed people—servants, a marginalized woman—to mirror His heart. • Small, practical actions (urging, cooking, helping someone sit) can align us with the mission of Christ. • When we serve, we point forward to the ultimate Servant who nourishes sinners with His own life. |
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