1 Samuel, chapter 9 and 10
The people of Israel had lived in the land of Canaan over three hundred years, but had never had a king. They had been directed, first by Joshua, then by the judges given by God. Samuel was the last one of the judges, he was also a prophet and offered the sacrifices. But Samuel was no longer the young boy but an old man, and his sons were not host with the people, which is sad to read, lint it shows us God does not bless children, just because their fathers do right, but they also must obey Him.
The nations who lived around Israel had kings to rule them and lead their armies to war. The people of Israel told Samuel they wanted a king also. They forgot the Lord had cared for them all those years. Samuel told the Lord of their wish, and He said they could have a king, and this is how he was chosen: A rich man of Israel lost his donkeys and sent his son, named Saul, and a servant to find them. They went all around the country but could not find the animals. After three days they came to the city where Samuel was, and he told Saul the donkeys had been found. Then the Lord told Samuel that this was the young man who should be king.
So, before Saul started back to his father’s home, Samuel put oil upon his head, as a sign that he was to be the head over Israel, and told him things which would show Saul that Samuel spoke for God.
Afterward Samuel called the people of Israel together at one place for them to see the one God had chosen for their king. But Saul could not be found, for he did not then want the high place of king. The Lord told Samuel where he was hiding by the baggage, and he was brought out and stood before the great company. They were well pleased when they saw him, for he was a tall fine looking young man, and they all shouted words which have since been used many times for kings, “God save the King!”
Samuel spoke to Saul and the people, for them to “only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart, for consider how great things He hath done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:2424Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. (1 Samuel 12:24).
For a time Saul did well as king, and the Lord helped him to save the people from the enemies, but later he became proud and unwise in his acts, and would not do as Samuel told him God wished him to do.
Once Saul forbade the men who were fighting to eat any food all day, so they became very weak. His son Jonathan, who was a brave young man had not heard, this order, and found sonic honey in the woods and ate of it. His father was angry and would have killed him except the people had kept him from doing so. So Saul wanted his unwise order kept, but did not obey God’s words.
ML 10/09/1938