Thursday Thought -- September 15, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

Israel wanted a king like the nations around them.  And God granted their desire and chose a king for them.  He chose for king a man who would be what they thought a king should be, impressive to look upon and from a respected family.  “There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin.  He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites-a head taller than any of the others.” (1 Samuel 9:1-2)

But Saul had other characteristics that fitted him more fully to be king than his impressive stature or his respected family.  Saul was a humble young man.  When told that all the desire of Israel is turned to him Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin?  Why do you say such a thing to me?” (1 Samuel 9:21)  Saul did not consider himself to be king material, he did not consider himself, his family, or his tribe worthy of that kind of honor.  He did not expect to be chosen for such a task.

Although surely Saul knew that Israel was asking for a king, he was not seeking to be chosen for the position.  In fact, Samuel had to convince Saul that God had chosen him through signs.  As Saul left Samuel, the prophet predicted three specific things that would happen as Saul traveled back toward his home.  The Bible records, “and all these signs were fulfilled that day.” (1 Samuel 9:9)

Still Saul was hesitant to accept the position he was being called into.  When the ceremony to select a king was held at Mizpah and all Israel had gathered there, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen, then Saul’s clan was chosen from among the tribe, and finally Saul was chosen from among his clan.  But when they sought Saul he could not be found until Samuel told them, “He has hidden himself among the baggage.” (1 Samuel 9:22)

Humble and hesitant, yet Saul was finally willing to accept what God had chosen and he was anointed king that day.  The people rejoiced, “Long live the king!”  (1 Samuel 9:24)  He was the kind of king they desired.

Saul would have great difficulty as king.  Though he started humble, he would grow arrogant as king.  Though he began with hesitancy, he would cling tenaciously to his crown.  He started well, but he would forget that it was God’s choice that made him king, not his worthiness.

His, by Grace,

Steve