I Samuel 10

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I Samuel 10:24-27, Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.”

Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!” Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes.

 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.

In this chapter, we see Samuel anoint Saul as king of Israel.  Possibly in order to reassure Saul that this was indeed his calling, Samuel goes through a long list of things that would occur before Saul reaches home.  Everything Samuel said would happen does come to pass almost immediately.  What’s interesting to me is that God changes Saul’s heart; God’s Spirit comes over him and Saul begins to prophecy, something that must have been very uncharacteristic of the young man.  Clearly, God was making a point to Saul – God had chosen him. 

Samuel gathers all of Israel at Mizpah, where Saul will be instituted as king. He explains the rights and duties of kingship.  This seems to indicate that this monarchy would be different.  Saul was not to be an oppressive autocrat, as the kings around him.  Israel’s monarchy would fall under its covenant with God.   There would obviously be privileges as king but the people also had rights.  The ultimate law of the land was still God’s law. 

It doesn’t take long for some people to dislike Saul.  They don’t know him, they haven’t seen him govern, and they already hate him.  It doesn’t matter to them that Saul is God’s choice.  They want what they want and it wasn’t Saul.  But I love how Saul handles it – he remains silent!

Friends, there will always be detractors.  There will always be people that dislike you before they know you, especially if you are in a leadership position.  I think something to remember is that it isn’t about you, your abilities, your calling, or your character.  It’s about them.  For those who hated Saul at this point in our story, it wasn’t about Saul at all.  It was about something within them – insecurity, anger, bitterness, separation from God, sin. 

Maybe someone simply needs to hear that today.  Trust what God has called you to do.  Stay faithful.  There will always be objectors.  And sometimes, the best way to respond is simply to stay silent.

Let’s pray…Lord, Help us keep a laser focus on you and what you have called us to do for your Kingdom.  I pray for the ability to hear your voice above all others.  In Your Name, Amen.