The First King of Israel: Saul

Despite Samuel’s warnings, Israel demanded a King, and God gave them Saul, a man from the tribe of Benjamin. One day Saul was searching for his father’s donkeys and sought Samuel to ask if he could inquire of God about them. During this encounter, Samuel revealed to Saul that God had chosen him to be King over Israel. Seven days later, Samuel called together the people of Israel, warned them, and announced that God had chosen Saul as their King.

In yesterday’s episode, we learned that Samuel served God faithfully as Israel’s judge and prophet for many years. And because the people turned back to God and cast out their idols, God prospered the nation greatly. But Israel’s desire to be like other nations was too great, and they ultimately insisted on being given a king like the rest of the world. This grieved God, as they rejected not Samuel but God Himself. But God would not force His children to follow Him, and after warning Israel that having a king would not go as they hoped, God told Samuel to give them what they wanted. Today we’ll hear of the first king that God raises up for Israel. Saul had all the makings of a king – strength, good looks, wealth, charm - yet he was also humble. At least for the moment, Saul seems to be the right man for the job.