This chapter is a continuation from the previous chapter, and in this chapter Samuel introduces Saul to the people and prophesies several events to Saul on his return trip home. The chapter begins, “Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul on the cheek and said, “I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the leader of his people Israel. When you leave me today, you will see two men beside Rachel’s tomb at Zelzah, on the border of Benjamin. They will tell you that the donkeys have been found and that your father is worried about you and is asking, “Have you seen my son?”
When you get to the oak of Tabor, you will see three men coming toward you who are on their way to worship God at Bethel. One will be bringing three young goats, another will have three loaves of bread, and the third will be carrying a skin of wine. They will greet you and offer you two of the loaves, which you are to accept.
When you arrive at Gibeah of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is located, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the altar on the hill. They will be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre, and they will be prophesying. At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you with power, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person. After these signs take place, do whatever you think is best, for God will be with you. Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me and wait for me there seven days. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. When I arrive, I will give you further instructions. (1 Samuel 10:1-8)
Wow...when the Spirit of the Lord fills you, there is no room for the old you! You become a new creature in Christ! Samuel said, “You will be changed into a different person.” (verse 6)
As Saul turned and started to leave, God changed his heart, and all Samuel’s signs were fulfilled that day.” (verse 9)
Wow! This is interesting! After listening to Samuel, Saul turns to leave for home and in that moment “God changed his heart”. Before Saul could be transformed into this different person, he had to first feel and think differently. His heart had to change before he, as a person, could change. There needed to be a switch, so he could challenge his own thinking. (This is my takeaway; which means...the text may be saying something totally different to you.)
The text continues, “Later Samuel called all the people of Israel to meet before the Lord at Mizpah. And he gave them this message from the Lord, the God of Israel: “I brought you from Egypt and rescued you from the Egyptians and from all of the nations that were oppressing you. But though I have done so much for you, you have rejected me and said, “We want a king instead!” Now, therefore, present yourselves before the Lord by tribes and clans."
So Samuel called the tribal leaders together before the Lord, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. Then he brought each family of the tribe of Benjamin before the Lord, and the family of the Matrites was chosen. And finally Saul son of Kish was chosen from among them. But when they looked for him, he had disappeared! So they asked the Lord, “Where is he?” And the Lord replied, “He is hiding among the baggage.” So they found him and brought him out, and he stood head and shoulders above anyone else. Then Samuel said to all the people, “This is the man the Lord has chosen as your king. No one in all Israel is his equal!” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” (1 Samuel 10:17-24)
The chapter ends with Samuel informing the people of the rights and duties of a king, and as you can imagine, some of the people were not happy with the Lord’s choice. However, Saul ignored the haters.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Thank you for choosing us! Change our hearts, Lord, so we can be the individuals you want us to be! We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
Comments