Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

I Samuel 9 seems like straying from the previous tact.  We are introduced to the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin.  He and a servant are looking for some donkeys.  Jehovah can use even someone looking livestock.  Even Saul recognizes that he is not very important.

Saul is taller than the other Israelites and this will make him a humanly desirable king.  They go to find Samuel, when they are unable to find their property.  Yahweh had prepared this public place for the anointing of the first king.  Samuel does the installation of the monarch, but God chose the man.  Remember that we are chosen for a task by Him.  We should never attempt to choose our own path.

The prophet anoints Saul as king of Israel in I Samuel 10.  The judge also prophesies about what will happen.  The new king and his servant return home and tell a portion of their experiences, but the big man does not mention the oil that he had poured on his head, or his prophesying in Gibeah.  He was touched by the spirit of Jehovah.  He did not tell this to anyone, either.

Samuel comes to Mispah and a sacrifice is arranged.  They are reminded of what they had asked of Yahweh.  The tribe of Benjamin is identified first.  Then the family of Kish is separated from the others and the lot fell to Saul.  He was missing.  When he was found in hiding, they brought him out for the coronation celebration.  His height made many believe he would be a good king.

Everyone left after the festivities ended.  Some brave fighting men went with Saul to his hometown.  There were others that talked against their new king.  This is nothing new, no matter how a leader is chosen.  Someone always is disappointed with everything that is done.

Saul’s strength is being tested in I Samuel 11.  Once again Jehovah’s spirit comes on him.  Jabesh-Gilead is under attack by the Ammonites.  Their plan was very sneaky.  The Israelites were afraid they could not resist.  Their stalling tactics worked, and the new king of Israel gathered the fighting men and rescued their brothers.

At this time, they renewed the commitment of the young monarch.  This is just the first of the battles that will establish the kingdom.  Life will change for the entire country as Samuel’s predictions of the consequences of appointing one ruler for life.

In I Samuel 12 Samuel says, “Now you have a king as your leader.”  The last judge was a man who never defrauded anyone.  Unlike many others in leadership then and now, he was a man of integrity.  The prophet warns them a last time of all that is required of the Israelites.  God is still the one they should follow and no one man.

“Do not turn away from God.” That is a reminder that we all need.  Today, despite our salvation being bought and paid for by our savior, we must continue to follow in obedience to Jehovah.  Samuel gives this word not just to the Jews of his day, but to us as well.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger