Friday, May 11, 2018

Saul the Transitional King

11The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together. 
12The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.”
13But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.”
14Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.” 15So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.  (1 Samuel 10)

Thoughts: Saul was a farmer-king.  He had no palace, he had no standing army.  When he was threatened he had to sound an alarm.  He was a transitional figure going into a new position.  There were no kings before him to model after.   There were people who opposed him as it was something new, and others who opposed the concept of a king, and others who just opposed him personally getting the kingship. 
      If you have ever tried to do something new you know you will run into opposition.  Saul was a little insecure to begin with and then his insecurity showed in his jealousy of others like David who had ability.  He would have done better to recognize David's gifts and work with him, even if he didn't like the way he did things. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to do whatever I do for your glory.  

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