Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The Designated King


I Samuel 9:26-10:16

“And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. 

And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of God.” (I Samuel 9:26-27)

Early the next morning, before commencing his daily schedule, Samuel called in and spoke to him privately about what he needed to do.  He sent the servant ahead, asking Saul to wait a little while.

“Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?” (I Samuel 10:1)

Once the servant was out of sight, Samuel anointed Saul to be the king, declaring that God had chosen him for the job.  He then gave him three signs that would demonstrate the message came from God.  Deuteronomy 18:21-22declared that a prophet speaking by God’s power would provide a sign that it really came from God.  “And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?  When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”  Here Samuel provides three signs so there can be no question.

“When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? 

Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands. 

After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: And the spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.  And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.” (I Samuel 10:2-7) 

The first sign would be two men who would meet him at Zelzah, near Rachel’s tomb and tell him that the donkeys were found and his father was worried.  In the plain at Tabor, he would meet three men on the way to Bethel to worship, each carrying a specific item.   They would give him two loaves of the bread.   Finally, at a particular hill close to a Philistine outpost, he would meet a company of prophets carrying various musical instruments away from their worship.  The Spirit of god would come upon him and he would feel and behave totally out of character.  When it happened, he was to just yield to the Spirit, because God would be directing him.

“And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and show thee what thou shalt do.” (I Samuel 10:8) 

Once Saul was assured the message came from God, he was to go to Gilgal and wait for Samuel to arrive.  When he came, Samuel would instruct him what he was to do, and offer burnt offerings and peace offerings for him.  Samuel promised to arrive on the seventh day.

“And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.  And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. 

And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?” (I Samuel 10:9-12)

The prophesied events happened just as Samuel described, including the Spirit coming on him and giving him a whole new heart attitude.  As a result Saul joined the band of prophets, prophesying himself.  People who knew him were shocked to see Saul prophesying, and questioned what was happening.  Saul became a topic of discussion throughout the land.

“And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.  And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye?

 And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel. 

And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you. 

And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.” (I Samuel 10:13-16)

When he finished prophesying, Saul met with his uncle, who questioned where they had been.  Saul told him that after not finding the donkeys, thay had consulted Samuel, who had told them the donkeys were found.  He said nothing about Samuel anointing him to be king, probably not fully convinced himself.

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