Steps of setting up a king
(1) Personal time with Samuel
v.25 spoke on the roof, went down together to the edge of town and being alone v.27, "...so I can inform you of God's message" v.27, anointing on Saul's head 10:1a,
10:1b Samuel kissed him and said, “The LORD has chosen you to lead his people Israel! You will rule over the LORD’s people and you will deliver them from the power of the enemies who surround them.
(2) Signs that the LORD has chosen Saul as leader v.2-7
Why did God give Saul that series of things happened to him as signs?
10:7 “When these signs have taken place, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God will be with you.
(NET) In light of Saul’s commission to be Israel’s deliverer (see v. 1), it is likely that some type of military action against the Philistines (see v. 5) is implied.
Reflections: Fighting in the battle was a tough and hard job. I think Saul probably would face the time he wanted to escape. So do we. When you are doing God's work it does not mean the work is easy. Yes, we know that God calls us to this job. He gave the job offer to us. When the job gets tougher, we can look back. Yes, at that time this and that happened and I know for sure in my heart that this job was what God wanted me to do.
(3) Saul has changed but he denied that v.8-16
3 things were repeated: the spirit of the LORD will rush upon Saul, he would prophesied and he changed into a different person v.6, 9, 10, 11, 13.
(BKC) This is frequently taken to mean that Saul was converted or spiritually regenerated. However, such language for spiritual renewal is foreign to the Old Testament, and Saul’s subsequent attitudes and behavior do not bear out that this was his experience (16:14; 18:12; 28:15–16). Actually the Spirit made the inexperienced and unlettered Saul able to assume kingly responsibilities in much the same way as the judges before him were blessed (Jud. 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14).
He himself was shy and did not tell his uncle when he was asked about his trip. Perhaps that was part of the reason why Samuel had to call a meeting to announce about his kingship.
(4) The announcement of the kingship v.17-27
In the beginning of the meeting, the history of Israel was reviewed, God said to them,
v.18b ‘I brought Israel up from Egypt and I delivered you from the power of the Egyptians and from the power of all the kingdoms that oppressed you. 10:19 But today you have rejected your God who saves you from all your trouble and distress. You have said, “No! Appoint a king over us.”
This is the format of a formal covenant meeting between the vassal states and the lord. The history was reviewed, Israel failed the LORD, but look what the LORD has provided for them.
This is the format of a formal covenant meeting between the vassal states and the lord. The history was reviewed, Israel failed the LORD, but look what the LORD has provided for them.
v.23b When he took his position among the people, he stood head and shoulders above them all.
Plus, Saul was humble. Not only because he hid himself among the equipment v.22, but he said nothing to people who despised him v.27.
Reflections: How often do we fail God? He saves us from our sin, but we do not obey Him. We chose our own desire over His. We chose to get mad, get even, not forgiving, etc.
God is amazing mercy to mankind. What He did to Israel is almost like a divorced husband, abandoned by his wife, but he sought a handsome good man for his ex-wife. How could it be? Saul was tall and strong, and would be a mighty warrior. That was what Israel thought of, escaping from the oppression from Philistines. However, we will see in the upcoming chapters, who won the battle over Goliath? Not Saul. Israel was dead wrong. Let us pray that we would be faithful to God. Trust Him and trust that He is mercy to us and He always makes the best choice for us.
2024
10:1-13
bright spots
1. The LORD had chosen Saul to do 2 functions: a. to rule over the LORD's people; b. to deliver them from their enemies.
2. Then in v.2-7 three things happened to make Saul know that God will be with you. Then he could do whatever his hand finds to do (militarily).
a. the 2 men told him about the donkeys would give him peace about his home situation.
b. the 3 men going to worship and gave him part of what they carried probably made Saul felt being fed by God
c. the group of prophets prophesying was a vivid image of the spirit of God. Saul had the spirit upon him just like the Judges (6:34). His own change in behavior (into a different person) probably made him a lasting impression about God's Spirit on him.
Note, the first 2 signs were not repeated, but just summarized in v.9b, but the last one was repeated about how it happened in v.10-13.
Also in v.9a, "As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed his inmost person." When Saul heard about the signs, before they all happened, he had changed already.
The first king of Israel was a totally different title than the Judges. He was the result of the people who asked for a king like all the other nations. Would Saul fulfilled what people expected? Or he would know very clearly he was made king by God and to follow God was his priority?
At Gilgal, Saul failed because he loved to listen to the people voice than God's voice. When that happened, God sought for Himself another king.
Reflection
How about me? Am I aware that what I can do is only the result of God's appointment? By God's spirit? And doing the work of God?
Or I try to fulfill people's expectation? Or my own ambitions?
10:14-27
Bright spots
1. Saul did not tell his uncle about what Samuel had said about the matter of kingship v.16. He also did not said anything about those wicked men who despised him and did not bring him any gift v.27. He did not want to show off and he did not regard himself superior.
2. Samuel's used a covenant making one format in v.18-19. He review the history between the 2 parties. He pointed out how one party failed the others v.19. Then when Saul was presented, Samuel said, “Do you see the one whom the LORD has chosen? Indeed, there is no one like him among all the people!” v.24
3. Samuel talked to the people about how the kingship would work and wrote it down and set it bf the LORD.
Reflection: The selection of Saul was an excellent choice. He was humble and showed regarded for those who despised him. Outwardly, people shouted for his appearance. Samuel also gave him instruction from God. He was meant to be successful as the role God gave him. On one hand, it showed how merciful is God. He gave Israel Saul, more than what they deserved. Am I like them? On the other hand, we know that Saul failed later. Even with all these good beginning, he could not hold on to. Am I like him?
Questions
1. The repetition of my people
10:1 Then Samuel took a small container of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head. Samuel kissed him and said, “The LORD has chosen you to lead his people Israel! You will rule over the LORD’s people and you will deliver them from the power of the enemies who surround them. This will be your sign that the LORD has chosen you as leader over his inheritance.
9:16 “At this time tomorrow I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin. You must consecrate him as a leader over my people Israel. He will save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked with favor on my people. Their cry has reached me.”
17 When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said, “Here is the man that I told you about. He will rule over my people.”
8:7 The LORD said to Samuel, “Do everything the people request of you. For it is not you that they have rejected, but it is me that they have rejected as their king
Ans: God cared very much about His people and wanted to deliver them from their enemies. Therefore He set up a leader over them. He favored them even after they have rejected Him as their king.
2. When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you set out to look for have been found. And now your father has stopped thinking about them and is worried about you. He is asking, “What shall I do about my son?” ’
The Sovereign of God extends to the control of the meeting, and the finding of the donkey v.2.
3 “Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to worship God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. 4 They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them.
The Sovereign of God extends to the knowledge about what each will carry and one of them want to give a loaf of bread to Saul
5-6 “After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres...and they will be prophesying. 6 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.
God has control over when the company of prophets coming down and His Spirit
3. "God changed Saul’s heart" Or God changed his inmost person. v.9
4. He review the history between the 2 parties. He pointed out how Israel failed the God v.19. Then when Saul was presented, Samuel said, “Do you see the one whom the LORD has chosen? Indeed, there is no one like him among all the people!” v.24 it showed how merciful is God. He gave Israel Saul, more than what they deserved
5. Even God did nothing wrong and saved me, but I did not treat God with what He deserved. Plus, God is merciful to me when I failed him. I did treat the love from my husband as more secure than the love from God. In this area, I place my husband in a God-like position.
Audrey
Comments