1 Samuel: Chapter 10
I Samuel chapter 10 records the anointing of Saul and his subsequent appointment as the King of Israel
Chapter Recap
The chapter starts with Samuel pouring olive oil from a flask on Saul’s head and stating that Saul is the anointed ruler over all Israel. Then, Samuel tells specific signs which would happen to Saul on his way back home. Firstly, Saul will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin, who will inform Saul that the donkeys he set out to look for has been found and now his father has started to worry about him. Second, Saul will meet three men going up to worship God at Bethel near the great tree of Tabor. They will be carrying three young goats, three loaves of bread and a skin of wine. They will greet Saul and offer him two loaves of bread, which he will accept from them. Third, Saul will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. Saul will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, timbrels, pipes and harps being played before them and they will be prophesying. Samuel concludes by saying,
The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you. “Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.” I Samuel 10:6-8
Indeed as Saul turned to leave Samuel, the LORD changed Saul’s heart and all the signs mentioned by Samuel were fulfilled the same day. When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him and the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. After this, Saul goes to the high place, and his uncle asks about his journey and when Samuel is mentioned, he enquires about what Samuel uttered. Saul tells about the donkeys, but did not tell his uncle what Saumel had said about the kingship.
Elsewhere in Mizpah, Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD. And says to them,
...“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, ‘No, appoint a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and clans.” I Samuel 10:18,19
As each tribe came forward, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. Then from the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, Matri’s clan was taken. Finally Saul, son of Kish, was taken. But he was not found. After enquiring further to the LORD, they find him hidden among the supplies. Bringing him out, he stood among the people, and he was a head taller than any of the others.
Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!” Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes. I Samuel 10:24,25
Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God has touched. However, there were some people who spoke against Saul, and despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul held his peace.
The LORD’s Confirmation
This chapter, once again shows how the LORD is in-charge of everything. Even though the people were the ones to ask for a king, and it displeased the LORD, he ensured that they will have a king to rule over them. The LORD confirmed who this person would be to rule over Israel. On physical appearance, Saul was taller than his peers. That’s pretty much what we get to hear. Nevertheless, the LORD’s chosen is specifically granted skills and abilities to do their task. We see that “God changed his heart”, “the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him”, and from Samuel “do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you”. These are clear indications that when God chooses someone for a particular task, he will confirm with multiple signs and also give the necessary strength to carry the task out. The same applies for us as well. When we are chosen by the LORD to do something, we don’t have to worry about how we will do the task, because what is needed will be provided.
The LORD’s Appointment
Personally confirming to Saul that he will be the king of Israel, and giving him signs and also enabling him with the spirit of God, we see that the LORD also appointed him king in the sight of all Israel. The LORD does express his displeasure over the whole thing, but did not leave it to happen as it is, rather directly oversaw and through Samuel made the transition. The LORD also provided the regulations for kingship, according to which a King should govern. Further, we see here that the LORD motivated valiant men to follow Saul, so that the kingdom could be established securely. Once again, when the LORD has called us for a specific purpose, we will be appointed by his guidance, and we will get all the help and support we might need both directly from the LORD, and also indirectly through people the LORD has encouraged.
Saul
We also have a number of things to learn from Saul’s early days. He, in his own words, acknowledges that he is a nobody with his only trait being mentioned as being taller than others. We don’t have any indication that he was particularly pious either. However, he is humble in the way he carries himself. The LORD always helps the humble, and lifts up the least from the dust. Which is what we see in the case of Saul, from being a nobody to being king very quickly. The LORD also transforms his heart, in what ways, we do not know, nevertheless, it could be in a way that he is burdened by the hardships of his people, empathy for the suffering, nobleness to lead his men etc., all of which and more is needed for a good king. Interestingly, we also see Saul hiding when Samuel announces his name. Again, we do not know why, it could be anxiety for this great task, it could be because of how the people asked for the king even when the LORD is displeased, or it could be just fear and insecurity. But he steps up to the task, being heavily motivated by the LORD and his spirit to be a valiant king (more on this in the next chapter).
Our take away from this chapter should be this. The LORD always provides and leads his people. We only need to trust in him and in the process. When we are chosen to do something for the LORD, we do not have to worry, for it is not with our strength we would do the task, but through the grace, wisdom and strength that the LORD provides. Finally, to be chosen, remember that the LORD lifts up the humble. So let us stay humble and depend upon the LORD completely. Take care of yourself and each other. See you in the next one!
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