King Saul

Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. I Samuel 10: 1

The people demanded a king. God gave them a king. He was to be their champion, leading them to victory against the heathen Gentile nations which surrounded them, and which practiced the abominations Israel was warned against in Deuteronomy 18. Samuel knew God’s choice for the first king of Israel, so he anointed Saul before the people knew who it would be.

Anoint: to consecrate or make sacred in a ceremony that includes the token applying of oil. To dedicate to the service of God. 

After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim, where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you. Then go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do.” I Samuel 10:5-8

Having been anointed, Saul would receive from God a new spirit, enabling him to prophesy with the prophets, temporarily, as a validation of God’s anointing. Saul was God’s choice to be Israel’s first human king. Notice Samuel’s instruction that Saul should WAIT for Samuel to come and show him how to proceed. Saul was meant to be Israel’s champion, in the same manner as the judges had been.

When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day. When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them. And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” And a man of the place answered, “And who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place. I Samuel 10:9-13

Saul’s “new heart” from God was noticeable to the people immediately. They remarked to each other about it. This incident became part of the public perception of Saul. Apparently there were ecstatics involved in this prophesying, all of which seemed uncharacteristic of someone like Saul.

Samuel refreshed their memories one more time about God’s care for them and their rejection of His perfect care. They had demanded a king, just as the Lord foreknew, and they were now being given a king. There must be a public ritual of presenting the tribes before the Lord, to witness the choosing of the man who would serve as Israel’s king. Since God had already chosen, and Samuel had already anointed the man, this ritual would serve as confirmation of God’s choice.

Now Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah. And he said to the people of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands.”

Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. So they inquired again of the Lord, “Is there a man still to come?” and the Lord said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” I Samuel 10: 17-24

Saul was of the tribe of Benjamin, Jacob’s youngest son. Saul was suddenly paralyzed by humility and fear of being given such a huge responsibility, so he hid. When he was recovered and brought before the people, they were greatly impressed by his physical stature, and the majority were eager to install this tall, imposing man immediately as their king. Yes, God looks on the heart, but mankind is easily influenced by outward appearance. Good looks and an air of authority can take a man a long way in politics.

Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.  I Samuel 10:25-27

Samuel was not about to allow Israel or Saul to forget what the king’s duties were. He wrote them in a book and made it public to the nation. The ritual was over. The King was chosen. Most people approved of God’s choice. BUT…(v.27)…some were skeptical and pessimistic . They had no confidence in “this man.” They despised him (had contempt for him). They had no respect for the Lord’s anointed.

Thus, we see political polarization from the first day of Israel’s new king. Some people just will not be led. They are proud, arrogant and do not trust anyone to have the wisdom to rule. The anointing oil had not had time to settle into Saul’s hair before the people’s loyalties were divided. It seems that this human trend toward rebellion is entrenched in the nature of the species, until we are raptured and leave our old sin natures behind.

Saul started his reign with God’s approval and Samuel’s mentorship. He had everything going for him, including the general admiration of the nation. He would soon prove himself to be the authoritative champion the nation so desperately wanted. All he needed to do was to continue in obedience to God’s ordinances of the kingdom.

That was all he needed to do.