Calendar

ISRAEL WITH SAUL AS THE NEW KING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4
1 Samuel 12:13-25

Psalm 99

 

“…they called upon the LORD,

and he answered them.”

 

ISRAEL WITH SAUL AS THE NEW KING
 
Samuel affirmed and introduced Saul as the legitimate king of the nation. He had been appointed by the Lord as per the people’s request. The prophet then charged the nation to be foremost in following the Lord. The main emphasis in Samuel’s words to the nation was obedience to the Lord. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” Thus, obedience to a king is obedience to God. Samuel knew this, and he stressed this fact. Though he was not in agreement with Israel’s persistence to have a king, God’s sovereignty overruled and the prophet was told to anoint a king for them.
 
Samuel showed how the Lord had blessed the nation. His hand was not only seen in giving victory at war, there were also many general blessings. It was a time for wheat harvest, and Samuel said that he would pray to the Lord to send thunder and rain. He also pointed out that God had tolerated them and given them a king as per their request. Rain and thunder are forces of nature. Samuel appealed to these wonders to show Israel the hand of God.
 
Samuel also urged the nation to follow the Lord more. They were not to turn aside to follow vain things which could not profit nor deliver them. He assured them that the Lord would not forsake His people for His own name’s sake. Samuel pledged to unceasingly pray for them, counting negligence to pray as sin. Thus, he was committed to pray for the nation and her king. He pledged to continue to teach them God’s way. In all these, Samuel fulfilled his duty before the nation.
 
THOUGHT: Samuel’s godly testimony from birth to old age is clear to all.
PRAYER: Father, may I strive to pass Thy test and leave a good testimony.

Search