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GOD CHOSE SAUL TO BE KING
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25
1 Samuel 9:1-27

Acts 1:23-26

 

“And they gave forth their lots;

and the lot fell upon Matthias.”

 

GOD CHOSE SAUL TO BE KING
 
Israel wanted a king and the Lord consented to their request.
 
Saul left home with a servant looking for the lost asses. When they could not find them after much searching, they decided to consult prophet Samuel who was commonly known as the seer. When prophet Samuel met with Saul, the Lord told the prophet that Saul was the one whom He had chosen to rule His people. Samuel understood the unfolding events. He revealed to Saul and the servant that their asses were found, but he had another appointment for Saul. He indicated to Saul that he had been chosen to lead the nation. He was thus set for that appointment.
 
The events leading to the naming of Saul as king unfolded, although he was not a likely king at face value. Saul was the son of Kish of the tribe of Benjamin. In Genesis 49, before Jacob died in Egypt, there was the prophetic blessing of Jacob on all his twelve sons. It seemed that the leadership of the nation would be given to the house of Joseph because God had honoured him and used him to bring Israel to Egypt. Or it could have been given to the house of Reuben by virtue of Reuben being the first born, or Judah as designated by Jacob. Therefore, when the appointment was revealed to Saul (of the tribe of Benjamin), he raised an objection about the designation of the royal line.
 
Then, the nation was settled in Canaan, and they wanted a king. The choice was puzzling to Samuel and the nation. As the story of the nation unfolded, things became clearer to them. The son of Kish of the tribe of Benjamin was designated as the king. Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob, and the possibility of the appointment of a king from the tribe was remote. However, the unfolding events were headed in that direction, regardless of the recent history of the tribe (re: Judges 20-21). It was the Lord’s choice. Thus, Saul was set to become the king of Israel.
 
THOUGHT: Any appointment to a place of authority is from the Lord.

PRAYER: Father, give us discernment in choosing our leaders.

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