Today's Reading:

1 Samuel 9
1 Samuel 10
1 Samuel 11
1 Samuel 12

Benjamin was the youngest of Jacob's twelve sons and the smallest of the twelve tribes of Israel. Yet from this very tribe, God sovereignly raised up Saul to be anointed as Israel's first king, seating him at the head of the table as the guest of honor. In the same way, God exalted Judah above his brothers to bring forth the Messiah, Jesus. In Luke 14:7–11, Jesus taught that true honor comes not from giving yourself the place of honor, but from humbly taking the lowest seat- trusting the Host to call you up higher. What a great reminder of God's grace: He delights in lifting the overlooked, the least, and the unlikely to fulfill His perfect purposes.

Saul was out looking for his father’s lost donkeys when he found his purpose. He felt too lowly to sit as the guest of honor at Samuel’s table, yet God deemed him worthy. How often do we overlook someone in the community as “lowly,” only to realize later that they were the very person God placed in your path?

 

 

Saul will become Israel’s first anointed king, from Gibeah in Benjamin- the very town where the horrific crime against the Levite’s concubine (Judges 19-20) brought about a civil war that nearly wiped out the tribe of Benjamin long ago. God’s grace was in raising up leaders even when there was a sordid background. Saul was tall and handsome, but not great at looking after donkeys. He searched through the territories of Ephraim and Benjamin looking for the missing donkeys. Saul and the donkey are representative of the failure of the Israelites in asking for a king. I could insert a jab about men asking for directions or help here, but the servant with Saul suggested they visit “a man of God” (Samuel). The mysterious ways the Lord works through His chosen, as Saul and Samuel may never have crossed paths otherwise.

The Lord had told Samuel the prior day that a man from Benjamin would come, and he was to anoint the stranger as ruler over Israel. Saul was humbled by Samuel’s words and kind gesture, knowing he was from Benjamin, the lowly tribe. Samuel invited him to his feast as the guest of honor, saving the choice cut of meat just for him.

Samuel privately anointed Saul with oil- it was a symbol of the Holy Spirit poured on him, versus how today the Holy Spirit lives within us. The Spirit on Saul was temporary; to empower him for leadership, Christians today receive the Spirit permanently. No one except Samuel and Saul knew he would be the king. Samuel then gave Saul three very specific signs to prove that this kingship came from God. 1. Finding the donkeys near Rachel’s tomb. 2. Receiving the bread from traveling men. 3. At Gibeah, Saul would meet prophets, and the Spirit of God would cause him to prophesy. As a side note on Rachel’s tomb, Jacob’s favorite wife died giving birth to Benjamin and was buried on the roadside near Bethlehem (Ephrath) during their journey, rather than the family tomb in Hebron (Genesis 35:16-20). We do not hear much about Rachel after her death. The tomb was marked for future generations- evidenced when Samuel instructed Saul that he would meet two men near Rachel's tomb because the donkeys were found. This shows she wasn't forgotten; God preserved her memory as a landmark of comfort and divine guidance.

Those who knew Saul did not believe he could prophesy, and they doubted Saul’s leadership over the Philistines. They rejected God and wanted a king, now a double rejection as they did not like the choice of king chosen. Saul’s uncle asked where he had been, and he admitted to looking for the donkeys but omitted the part about being anointed king- partially in humility and due to scrutiny. The silence allowed God to portray him as the new king in His time. Samuel publicly cast lots to show Saul was chosen by God. The Spirit empowered him immediately, and he went from chasing donkeys to leading God’s people.

In chapter 11, the Ammonites (descendants of Lot on the east side of the Jordan River) threaten to gouge out the right eyes of Jabesh Gilead (impairs archers) unless they surrender. The city asked for time and sent word to Saul. Saul was angry at the word and chopped up two oxen, sending the pieces out to the tribes (like the Levite did to his concubine to call them to action). This warning message rallied 330,000 Israelites. They defeated the Ammonites and won their first battle as a monarchy. Saul understood the true deliverer was God.

Samuel gave his farewell speech, recounting how he had been with them since childhood and reminding them of God’s faithfulness from Egypt to now. He warned them to obey and fear the Lord or face judgment if they turned back to idols. Israel admitted their sin, and Samuel prayed for thunder and rain during this dry season as a sign of God and His power. God provided them with the king they wanted, as He refuses to leave His stubborn people. A reminder that even when we fall away, His plans continue through grace and kindness in hopes that we turn back.

Today's Discussion question: 

 
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