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 “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.“

Jeremiah 17:5

Before we proceed with Israel’s king, let’s review some relevant information. Remember the horrible Story in Judges Chapter 19? The Story continued through the end of the book of Judges. (Judges 19-21 are worth reading if you haven’t done so.) In Summary, a Levite was traveling with a servant and one of his wives. When it was getting close to sundown, they started to search for a town to spend the night. The Levite specifically avoided the Jebusites seeking to stay in an Israelite settlement, as others were not trustworthy. So they go to Gibeah, a town of Benjamites. While there, they are sexually solicited by the townspeople who are as corrupt as those of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Benjamites from the town of Gibeah rape and kill the concubine (Levite’s wife). As a consequence of this great atrocity, all of the other Israelite tribes gather and fight their brothers of the tribe of Benjamin. There are great losses, and the Benjamites are reduced to 600 men. 

Read 1 Samuel Chapters 9, 10, and 11.

The story begins by introducing us to a Benjamite who had a son named Saul (which means “prayed for”) who was “as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.” 1 Samuel 9: 2

The Bible rarely refers to a person’s appearance unless it is of significance to the story.  Israel had asked for a King. God is providing them with someone of kingly stature and appearance. However, God also appointed someone unexpected:

“But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin?” 1 Samuel 9:21

Not only was he a Benjamite, he was from the town of Gibeah. Evidence again that God favors the underdog, He seeks to use the people whom He can change into someone powerful. 

“The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.” 1 Samuel 10:6

God’s spirit enabled Samson with supernatural strength. Now God’s spirit is enabling Saul to become king. This is seen in his prophesying among the other prophets, and later when he leads men into battle to rescue the city of Jabesh which publicly confirms him as Israel’s king. 

Reflect

What was the relevance of the search for donkeys at the beginning of chapter 9?

What are Saul’s attributes according to the story?

How does God change Saul? 

1 Samuel 10: 27 says: But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” What does this say about the perception of the Israelites regarding their leader? (The deeper question is who leads Israel, God or the king?)

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭ ‭7‬-‭8 ‭NIV‬‬