1 Samuel 9-10, 12

Come on, Saul; just how hard is it to find lost donkeys? That’s donkeys plural. My aunt and uncle had a neighbor with a donkey named Jack. You could hear him braying from a mile away. And donkeys don’t typically travel terribly fast. They like to stop and smell the roses. Don’t you think the neighbors would have noticed loose donkeys plural? Did Saul stop to ask?

I think it’s funny, though, how God used donkeys to lead Saul to meet the man of God, Samuel. God used a donkey to get Balaam’s attention in Numbers 22. Funny story there too, if you haven’t read it. Has God ever frustrated your plans to get your attention? The next time you find yourself in a pickle, stop to look around you and ask God what it is He wants you to see.

Saul didn’t even want to be king. Samuel anointed Saul, and God fulfilled signs to prove Himself to Saul, but Saul didn’t even tell his family about it. (1 Samuel 10:16) When you are excited about something God has done in your life, aren’t you excited to tell others? You can’t get me to shut up about it! And you have to tell me more than once, “Yes, you told us that already.”

The end of Chapter 10 puzzled me. Why did Samuel go through the process of bringing all the tribes forward clan by clan, only to choose Saul as king? It is because this was part of their tradition as a nation. Joshua 7 gives an example of seeking out the sinful family by calling the people out clan by clan. The land was divided clan by clan throughout the book of Joshua. When we read 1 Samuel 16, we will see that Samuel goes through a similar process when he selects David to be king out of his family of 8 strapping, young men. As all possible candidates pass before the prophet of God, every man is given fair opportunity to be chosen by God. When the prophet announces who has been chosen, everyone is able to accept his choice.

1 Samuel 10:21-24 is further evidence that Saul did not want to be king. When his name was called on the roll, he was hiding among the baggage! Ladies, when God calls our names, let us be present and accounted for, ready and willing to accept our assignments.

1 Samuel 10:26-27 “Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. But some troublemakers said, "How can this fellow save us?" They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.” This passage bothers me for a number of reasons. From Saul’s first day in office, Israel would be a kingdom divided. It makes me mindful of our own nation. No matter what the results of the 2008 elections, we must commit to pray for our nation’s leaders. Whether we agree or disagree with the party in power, we must recognize that God has granted them authority. This should spur us on to pray that our leaders will listen to godly wisdom, and they will surround themselves with godly advisors. Let us bring our newly appointed leaders gifts of encouragement to stand for the truth. You can sign up to pray at http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/.

This passage also bothers me because “Saul kept silent.” Saul would prove to be a cowardly leader who did not command respect from his people, neither did he earn their respect.

Samuel’s farewell speech in Chapter 12 is very touching. Samuel was a faithful leader for Israel, a leader with integrity, who lived his life without regret. The conclusion of the chapter is my favorite. “For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:22-24)