seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
1 Samuel 10:9 As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. 10 When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. 11 When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
12 A man who lived there answered, “And who is their father?” So it became a saying: “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 13 After Saul stopped prophesying, he went to the high place.
14 Now Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where have you been?”
“Looking for the donkeys,” he said. “But when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”
15 Saul’s uncle said, “Tell me what Samuel said to you.”
16 Saul replied, “He assured us that the donkeys had been found.” But he did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about the kingship.
17 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the Lord at Mizpah 18 and said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ 19 But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, ‘No, appoint a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and clans.”
20 When Samuel had all Israel come forward by tribes, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was taken. Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. 22 So they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?”
And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.”
23 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. 24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.”
Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!”
25 Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes.
26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.
Here's the link to the commentary I read.
Is Saul also among the prophets: This phrase became a proverb describing astonishment that someone was now deeply religious. As some used to say, “He got religion?” Saul was an unspiritual man who became very spiritual at the time when the Spirit of the LORD came upon him.
But you have rejected your God, who Himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations: The LORD, speaking through Samuel, showed Israel how their rejection of Him made so little sense. It makes no sense to reject the one who Himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations.
Was chosen: It is important to say that Saul did not become king because of the choosing by lot. Instead, he was chosen king because of God’s word to the prophet Samuel. The choosing by lot simply confirmed the word of the LORD through Samuel.
Hidden among the equipment: Here Saul showed a healthy embarrassment and humility. He did not look forward to being “center stage” in front of the nation; he seemed to dread it. Saul was not made king because of his personal ambition or to gratify a desire for the limelight.
He was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward: The physical description of Saul showed he was exactly what the people wanted — a king that looked good to the other nations. God gave them “the king from central casting.”
So they despised him... But he held his peace: Not all of Israel supported Saul yet. Because they never had a king before, it was unlikely they could choose any one man the whole nation could immediately support. Saul reacted to this wisely (he held his peace). At this point an insecure or unwise leader might feel the need to “crush” any opposition or simply regard them as enemies. Saul did neither, understanding that it might take him some time to win over the doubters.
So, Samuel anointed Saul. But then.... It appears they made a mock selection from the clans and Samuel appears to have chosen Saul out of no where.And Saul the son of Kish was chosen: Saul was already anointed king over Israel. But God did this to show the whole nation that Saul was the right man. It showed that God chose Saul and not any man.
Was chosen: It is important to say that Saul did not become king because of the choosing by lot. Instead, he was chosen king because of God’s word to the prophet Samuel. The choosing by lot simply confirmed the word of the LORD through Samuel.
This is really confusing to me and that's why I called it a "mock" selection. God already chose Saul.
Now God crafted each of us. He counted the hairs on our heads. God had to choose from all the humans He had crafted, and God chose the "prettiest" one. God knew the Israelites weren't going to choose a troll looking little man with a bald spot. Humans picked gods with their eyes, not their hearts. God knew they would "respect" a pretty boy. God knew they would "respect" a man who stood a head taller than everyone else. God knew they wanted a "trophy king", like the others had.
I can just see God now. He's sculpting Saul's little body and He's talking to His sculpture as He works. God says "Well, you pretty little human. Your future is going to get really confusing. You will think you are living a normal everyday life... and then your dad's donkeys are going to get loose... and your life will be "insane"! But you are tall, dark, and handsome. That should help."
Isn't it wonderful that God let all of Israel know they could be king? I mean, there was a lottery [verse 20]. Each clan marched their men in front of Samuel like they were beauty contestants. Those men involved in the lottery thought they had a chance to be king of Israel. Samuel already knew who God had chosen. God already knew how the people would react to the pick. Tall, dark, and handsome men that stand a head taller than all the others would be the choice. God already knew... but it's a good way to introduce His choice.
God didn't want there to be a king. God was against this notion totally. God was disappointed the Israelites rejected God as their King of Kings.
Ah but there is drama afoot! Check out verse 27. Some scoundrels despised that pretty-boy king named Saul.
Some scoundrels despised him.
