8 SAUL MADE KING

Saul’s nomination to the throne by Samuel is made public in a general assembly of the people of Israel, evidently all of them at Mizpeh. It is probable that this convention of the tribes was called as soon as it was convenient after Saul was anointed privately by Samuel. If there was to be a change in their government, the sooner the better since there was expectation in the air ever since Samuel had received their request and dismissed the people earlier. The people met in a solemn assembly, in which God was present. Samuel acts for God among them as verse 17 says, “Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the Lord at Mizpah”.

Samuel reproves them for casting off the government of God and desiring to have a king so they could be like other nations. In verse 18 Samuel reminds them how how well they had fared under God’s government, “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.’” What could they desire more than to be delivered from Egypt and the other kingdoms that oppressed them? Could the mightiest man of valor do anything for them that the Almighty God had not already done? Samuel also reminds them how insulting they had been to God who saved them from all their various difficulties as we see in verse 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.”” By His own power, God, their King, had done this. Samuel tells them in plain terms, “. . . you have now rejected your God,” You have in effect rejected God, so He may justly also reject you. Those that can live better by physical strength than by faith, those that prop themselves up on an arm of flesh rather than on the almighty arm of God, forsake a fountain of living waters for broken cisterns, and, consistent blessings from Heaven for ever-changing emotional rollercoasters.

Samuel deliberately and publicly appears to be choosing their king by lot. Yet he already knew whom God had chosen and had already anointed him. Perhaps this was because he thought the involvement of God would be more clearly visible this way and knew there were those among them who would not accept the choice if it depended only on his single testimony. Therefore, so that it would be evident that God had looked over every family, clan and tribe in selecting His choice, every tribe, clan and family would be publicly placed on an even playing field in the presentation of God’s choice. Those of all the tribes might please themselves with having had a chance for it, so he calls them all to the lottery. Benjamin is taken out of all the tribes and out of that tribe Saul, the son of Kish. In this way it would appear to the people, as it already appeared to Samuel, that Saul was appointed by God to be king. It would also prevent all disputes or arguments as the lot was commonly accepted as a way to find the will of God.

When the tribe of Benjamin was taken, some, however, might easily foresee that they were setting up a family that would soon be put down again. Did they not know that the dying Jacob had, by the Spirit of prophecy, spoken that the scepter and ruler’s staff had been given to the tribe of Judah? Judah is compared to a lion while Benjamin is called a wolf. Notice what Genesis 49:8-10 say,“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. 9 You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? 10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” And then compare that with Genesis 49:27, “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.” Those therefore who knew the Scriptures could not be very pleased with these proceeding. They would know it would soon be undone again. Jacob was a prophet and clearly Judah, not Benjamin, was to produce the king.

It is an interesting phenomenon to watch Saul seem to be so hesitant to receive the kingship that he would hide among the baggage on this day, when in a few years he would be so very different and grasp for his power as the king and show such jealousy and hatred toward his own son-in-law who seemed to be more popular than himself. What does the Lord need to do to us so that we maintain the humility we feel before we get the promotion we want, so that we remain a servant of the people after we have the desired position itself? Saul was so little interested in power on this day, that is is easy for us to forget his attitude this day when we read about his later anger and indignation when he thinks he may loose that power.

Saul knew he was the man that was to be announced, yet he hid in the baggage. Did he hope they would draw lots again and find another? Was he so opposed to assuming responsibility that he fled from it like this? Was he being disobedient or fearful, or both? Perhaps he hid because he himself was conscious of his own unfitness for so great a trust. He had not been raised up with books, arms, or courts, and perhaps feared he would be guilty of some fatal blunder. He certainly had not majored in Political science. Was his hesitation because it would expose him to the envy of his neighbors that were against him and carried resentment towards him? After all, Kish, his father, was no small man in the community.

Or was it for his own holy and righteous reason that he himself understood, by what Samuel had said, that the people sinned in asking a king, and it was in anger that God granted their request? Was he trying to avoid the danger of being a king God did not want to give? Was it because he did not want to be a part of any resistance to God? Remember, Saul lived near a Philistine garrison. Was he hiding because the affairs of Israel were now in such bad military condition? Was it because the Philistines to the West were strong and the Ammonites to the East were threatening and whoever became king would have to be bold, courageous and confident to face those enemies?

The congregation, believed that God had made the choice so they tried to find the one on whom the lot had fallen. They enquired of the Lord. This would have been either by the high priest and his breast-plate of judgment, or by Samuel, and his spirit of prophecy. In either case, the Lord directed them to where they should find him, hidden among the carriages, and they went there to get him. If it was modesty, we can learn that none will be losers by their humility and modesty. Honor, like the shadow, follows those that flee from it, but flees from those that pursue it. If it was by unbelief, fear or disobedience, then that sin of another kind, is still sin and is not a good reason to flee from responsibility.

At last, Samuel presents Saul to the people, and they accept him. He did not need a platform in order to be seen. When he stood on even ground with the rest he was visible above them all, for he was taller by a head than any of them. It seems Samuel said, ‘Look, what a king God has chosen for you, just such a one as you wished for; there is none like him among all the people, that has so much majesty in his countenance and such a graceful stateliness in his actions. He is in the crowd like a cedar among the shrubs. Let your own eyes be judges, is he not a brave and gallant man?’

No one seemed to care that this was all just talk about physical appearance. Neither did they realize that God had not yet spoken to Samuel, as He would years later when Samuel first saw David’s oldest brother, Eliab. At that time God will whisper to Samuel. 1 Samuel 16:6,7 say “When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.’ 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” The people apparently readily agree with Samuel’s assessment of Saul’s qualifications and shouted their approval. “Long live the king!” Let him reign over us in health and prosperity for a long time. They would change their minds, but this day they shouted enthusiastically. Saul’s subjects were eager to testify of their affection and allegiance to their prince by their good wishes which turned into an address to God. Psalm 72:15 says, “Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long.” And Psalm 20:1 says, “May the Lord  answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.” Samuel had told them they would soon be weary of their king, but, presently that was far far away from their thinking and shouting. Let the king live long!

We do not know how much detail Samuel gave to the crowd as he explained the agreement that would exist between the king and his subjects. Verse 25 says, “Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord.” How much of what he had told them before about what to expect from a king, he shared with them again this day, we do not know. That original presentation had been a warning as he tried to urge them not to want a king. This time, however, he was establishing an orderly way for the kingdom to be administered. That had been a sermon, this was a celebration. We can assume that the gist of the meaning was the same, but the length was not as great.

Samuel settles the original contract between them. He had before told them the manner of the king, how he would abuse his power; now he tells them the manner of the kingdom, or rather the law, or judgment, or constitution, of it, what power the prince might or must not exercise and the limitations on the authority the subjects might claim. He fixed the land-marks between them, that neither would overstep the line between them. Let them rightly understand one another at first, and let the agreement remain in black and white which will help preserve a good understanding between them later. The people had rejected Samuel's earlier warning and now they would have to live with the consequences of their decision to have a king anyway.

The meeting was finished when the solemnity was over: Samuel sent every man to his house. No votes were passed and nothing was said about raising taxes for the support of the kingdom. If afterwards the king thinks something it is necessary and sees fit to take it, and that something is something the citizens do not think fit to give, they must only thank themselves. They went every man to his house, pleased with the name of a king over them, and Saul also went home to Gibeah, to his father’s house, not puffed up with the name of a kingdom under him.

At Gibeah he had no palace, no throne and no court and yet that is where goes. If he must be king, as one who is aware of the small beginning from which he was taken, mindful of the rock out of which he was hewn, he will make his own city the royal city. He will not be ashamed of his beginnings as too many are when they receive advancements. Such a humble spirit as this puts a beauty and shine on great promotions. The personal position is elevated and the condition rises, but the mind remains humble and the ego does not rise with it. This is pleasant.

What did the people of Israel actually think of their new king? Generally speaking, it seems that they were not very concerned. “Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes” (25). Their own personal affairs were more on their minds than any interests of public matters.

This was the general temper. There were some so faithful as to voluntarily escort him. Verse 26 says, “Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched.” It was not the large body of the people, but a small company, who, because they were fond of their own choice of a king, or because they had so much more sense than their neighbors as to conclude that if he were a king he ought to be respected accordingly, so they went with him to Gibeah, as his voluntary attendants and bodyguards. They were those whose hearts God had touched, in this instance, to do their duty. Whatever good there is in us, or is done by us, at any time, it must be ascribed to the grace of God. If the heart bend at any time the right way, it is because He has touched it. One touch is enough, when it is divine. Left to ourselves without that touch we are selfish and more interested only in our own affairs.

However, there were others so spiteful as to complain against and oppose him. In every generation we can see children of the devil, men that would carry no yoke, nor help anyone except themselves, that would be pleased with nothing that either God or Samuel did. They despised him for the commonness of his tribe and family, the smallness of his estate, and the privacy of his education; and they said, How shall this man save us? Yet they did not propose any man more likely. If they had, they would be mistaken; Saul was God’s choice. They would not join with their neighbors in expressing  affection for him and his government, by bringing him presents, or addressing him on his accession to the crown. Perhaps those discontented spirits were most earnest for a king, and yet, now that they had one, they quarreled with him, because he was not altogether one of themselves. It was reason enough for them not to like him because others did.

We can see how differently men see our exalted Redeemer. God set Him King on the holy hill of Zion. There is a remnant, some of us, that submit to Him, rejoice in Him, bring Him presents, and follow Him wherever He goes. They are those whose hearts God has touched, whom He has made willing. But there are others who despise Him, who ask, How shall this man save us? They are offended in Him, stumble at His external commonness and eventually will be judged by Him.

For us who are studying this narrative in order to find leadership principles, we come to an important observation. How did Saul react at the bad conduct of those that were against his government? “But some scoundrels said, ‘How can his fellow save us?’ They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent” (27). Saul held his peace. He was as though he had been deaf. He was so far from resenting it that he seemed not to notice it. This was an evidence of his humility, modesty, mercifulness and the largess of heart in his character. Never mind that before this and after this he may not have been like this. Here was the new Saul, as God had prepared him, whom we should imitate when God gives us a promotion or position in which we can serve His people. Saul was well satisfied with his title to the crown. It was enough. Those are often most jealous of and eager for their own honor, and most revengeful of other’s insults, who gain their power inappropriately. Jesus too held His peace when He was affronted, though, in His case, the day will come when He will duly punish all who do not accept God’s plan for their salvation and welfare.

Let us pause for a Theological consideration. God in giving Israel a king, raises some important questions which thinking Christians and Bible readers must ponder. Why did God give a king to Israel if it was not His will? Or was it His will? If it was not His will, why did Moses write laws for the king to keep when Israel would some day have a king? If it was His will, why did He not initiate the process of His selection and ascension to the throne? God allows us to sin but don’t call that sin “His will.” I do not believe there is such a thing as “permissive will of God.” Something is either His will or it is something wrong which He has allowed only because He has given man a freewill, the power of choice, and an environment in which to exercise it and be truly responsible for the consequences.

Israel asked for meat and God gave it to them but it was not good for them. Hezekiah, originally a good king, asked for a longer life even when Isiah had told him to prepare to die. Manasseh was born during Hezekiah’s extended life and Manasseh was certainly not good for Israel! God gives us this history so that we can learn to ask carefully. Prayer is powerful and we need to ask according to God’s plan; not our’s. Let us learn to be submissive and careful when we pray. Samuel listened to God and gave them a king when God said give them a king. Let us observe and learn. Meat in the wilderness, extra years in Hezekiah’s life and a king when God wanted a Theocracy; none of these were good.

God allows people to exercise their free will and then learn and live with the consequences.