Reading For Friday 1 Samuel 10:17-27
The old prophet called the people together and opened the assembly with a brief speech in which he reminded the audience of all that God had done for them in the deliverance from Egyptian bondage and oppressions by neighboring nations. He clarifies that by taking the initiative in demanding a king, the people had rejected the God, who had delivered them from all their past adversity. Nevertheless, Samuel ordered the people to present themselves before God by their tribes and clans.
In the person of their representatives, all the tribes of Israel drew near to Samuel. In all probability, the tribe of Benjamin descended from the youngest of Jacob’s twelve sons, was last to draw near. The lot indicated that God had chosen this tribe, and as the representatives of the clans of Benjamin drew near to Samuel, the Matrite clan was chosen. At this point, the names of all the heads of families were organized and by lot Saul the son of Kish was selected. However, when they looked for Saul, they could not find him. When they sought the Lord, it was revealed that Saul was hiding by the baggage. The people hastened to bring Saul from his hiding place and when Saul stood among the people he was head and shoulders taller than any of his countrymen. Physically, Saul was definitely qualified to be the kind of king Israel wanted. Samuel made sure that the people understood that the unusual proceedings of that day were God's means of making known his selection for Israel’s king. The people approved the appointment by shouting the traditional “Long live the king.”
Samuel set forth the constitutional, historical, and spiritual basis for the monarchy in Israel. Evidently, Samuel recorded this material in “the scroll.” The reference may be to the scroll of Scripture that Samuel was now expanding. The scroll was then placed before God. This act acknowledged that the written words of Samuel possessed divine authority like Moses and Joshua before him. When Samuel dismissed the people, Saul returned to Gibeah. God gave Saul favor with some valiant men, and they went with him. Certain worthless men mocked the appointment of the timid farmer from Gibeah. They despised him and brought him no gift in token of submission to his authority. Saul wisely refused to take action against his critics. He knew that he would have the opportunity soon enough to prove his mettle.
Things To Consider:
- Why is it important to recount God's work in our lives?
- How would one accomplish this sort of task? Do you rehearse God's work in your life?
- What are we already learning about Saul and his temperament?
- How do you think Saul handled the political challenge he faced almost immediately?