Read 1 Samuel 9-10.
This is truly a picture of contradictions. Here are just a few:
Israel wanted a king.
But it was not God's timing.
Saul was from a wealthy family. He was personally taller and more handsome than anyone else.
But he does not have any experience in leadership..
He was being looked to as a leader.
But he lacked self-confidence and displayed insecurities.
He was from the tribe of Benjamin.
But the kingly tribe was to be Judah (Genesis 49:10).
God answered the people's request.
But Samuel told them they had rejected God.
From the start Saul's selection appears to be a temporary appeasement until the real king is ready. In the meantime, God did some wonderful things for Saul. He gave him resources and opportunities to succeed, from the inside out. The future would then be up to Saul's response to God and these God-given opportunities.
What did God do initially to help Saul?
1. "The Spirit of the LORD " rushed upon him (10:6).
2. "God gave him another heart" (10:9).
3. He was noticeably a changed man (10:11).
As Samuel prepared the nation for this leadership transition, he gave them a bit of a history lesson and closed by charging them in writing. In doing so, he reminded them of God goodness to them in a phrase in mid-sentence. "...who saves you from all you calamities and your distresses" (10:19b).
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises..." (2 Peter 1:3-4a). Today, the LORD has already provided all we need to live for Him. Our life story is told in how we respond.
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