God Gives Israel Their King

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: I Samuel 9:15-10:1
Psalters: 261, 301, 307, 312
  1. God selected.
    1. God selected a king to rule Israel who was their kind of king.
      1. He did not spitefully give them an evil and perverse man with a tyrannical nature or one incapable of ruling.
      2. God gave them an excellent young man with the characteristics the people wanted.
    2. But Saul lacked the important quality: a sensitivity to God and His Word which arises out of a heart transformed.
  2. God had guided Saul to Samuel and He had alerted Samuel the day before of Saul’s coming (15,16).
    1. Samuel was to prepare a feast to which he would invite Saul, with guests who could witness that Saul had been with Samuel.
      1. This event is so it will be clear to Saul that God wanted him to be king and appointed him to this position.
      2. The next morning Samuel anointed Saul (10:1) and gave him three signs as confirmation (10:2-6).
    2. The Spirit of God “rushed” on him and he became “another man” with “another heart” (10:6,10).
      1. This is a non-saving work of God equipping Saul with a different disposition (wisdom and courage) to be in God’s office.
      2. As soon as the Spirit left him he became weak and scared.
    3. Samuel calls Israel together to Mizpeh to select a king and many came from far with tents “baggage” (10:17).
      1. By lot Saul was chosen, but he was hiding until God told Samuel where he would be found.
      2. The people rejoiced to see the wonderful external features: strong and healthy, handsome and so tall: “God save the king!”
      3. Samuel again told them the kind of king God would have him to be and even wrote it in a book as a permanent record.
    4. Saul went home, not knowing what to do to set up his kingdom and rule Israel.
  3. We have a King Whose rule reaches into our hearts.