I Samuel 8-12: Saul becomes king

March 28,

I Samuel 8-12: Saul becomes king

 

Happy Wednesday!  I have said this before but Oh Israel!  You are never satisfied!  God has been with them time and time again.  Egypt, The Promised Land, the cycles of the Judges.  They always have turned form God, cried out, and He has always listened.  Now they cry out for a king.  They want to be like all the other nations.  Let's go back a month ago to February 27 (Deut. 17:14-20) and it was foreseen that they would demand a king – God knew this was coming, so He set laws and guidelines.  Samuel (being the last Judge) knew the Law and was a holy man (a seer.)  It almost looks like God is comforting Samuel in 8: 7, "for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me,"  Ugh.  I cannot imagine the heartache that God must feel…being rejected by His people (again).  They wanted to fit in.  They wanted to keep up with the Jones.  They wanted a king lead them, represent them, just like everyone else.  But we know that they weren't like everyone else.  Israel has always been God's chosen people…set apart from everyone else.  Kinda like us J

 

Let's look at Saul: from one of the smallest tribes: Benjamin. NKJV says , "There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel" (9:2)  So we know he was tall and handsome…a Brad Pitt perhaps? J  Ha.  I'm sure Israel was all over this.  Not only do they have a king, but he's a looker!!!!  God lead Saul to Samuel and he was anointed, or set apart.  God had allowed him to be "commander over His inheritance," (10:1) meaning Israel still belongs to Him.  Samuel gives him specific instructions (pay attention to 10:8 because it will be significant in tomorrow's reading.)  It is also important to see that God was with Saul at the beginning.  10:6 mentions how the Spirit of the Lord will come upon him. 

 

I love how chapter 12 ends.  I hope you have underlined it too.  We see the love that Samuel had for his people, because he warns them, nurtures them, and will continue to pray for them and teach them.  As Samuel is addressing Israel he also reminds them that God has given them this king that he have cried out for.  They must continue to fear God, obey Him, and serve the Lord with all their hearts.  If they fail to this, forget God, and "still do wickedly, [they] shall be swept away," with their king.  God is still in control here.  We see Him as a Listener, Patient, Provider, Wise, and Sovereign.