Lovance Whittle

Saul was a satisfying choice to the people. You would think he had an advantage since he was anointed and the people wanted him. His appearance helped with the advantage. Yet when we look at David we see that God was preparing him for greatness. Yet his dad, Jesse, didn’t realize he was raising a giant-slaying son who would be king. He didn’t even recommend him for the anointing. 

We learn that God know the heart. But also that we may not choose the way God would, and we should desire to see through His eyes. Something may seem good, but is it God’s good?

From a theological standpoint, God is good. And He is omniscient. He knew us before He made the world. He is gangster, and I love Him so much.

May 17 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Shirley H Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!

Before Saul was ever elected by the people God had a plan! 

Genesis 49:10: "...the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a law giver from between His feet - until Shiloh comes.."

King David, son of Jesse, was from the tribe of Judah.

Samuel a 'seer,' could see what was hidden from people.

1 Samuel 8; 5,6,7,10-19: Samuel had made his sons judges over the "children of Israel." The children were unhappy. (I call them children, because they did not realize how much God had done for them.)

The Israelites wanted a king that they could see. They didn't want God, who was not visible! 

Samuel advised them of all that would happen. They still insisted they wanted to be like the surrounding nations.

1 Samuel 10:24 and Acts 4:28 tell us about God's permissive will. This allows bad or good choices that people make, but ultimately God will have His way.

In Genesis 49:27 we see the tribe of Benjamin. The blessing for this group was, "Benjamin shall rabin as a wolf in the morning. He shall devour the prey."

1 Samuel 9:2: the children liked that Saul looked different. He fit the kingly picture of their imagination!

1 Samuel 9:19-24: Samuel and Saul met and ate together. Samuel said, "I will tell you all that is in your heart." How could he do that? God told Samuel, God looks at hearts. He knows what is there. The children could not see into the heart of Saul!

In 1 Samuel 10:1, Saul is anointed by Samuel who says, "It is not because the Lord has anointed you to be 'commander' (captain) over His inheritance.'"

Samuel tells things to Saul that, as a Jew, he should have understood. Signs about Rachel's sepulchre, Jacob, superstition. (See Genesis 29:31, And Genesis 30:14.

In 1 Samuel 10:9, God gave Saul a changed heart. Saul reigned for about 40 years. Only the first two were good. He had turned away from God. Now the people got what they requested, and were warned about by Samuel. (1Samuel 10:17-24)

In Chapter 10:17, Samuel had told the people they were rejecting God! The people shouted, "God save the king."

The Ammonite war raged. In 1 Samuel 11:13, we have one of the few times that Saul acted righteously.

David was always God's choice, but the time was not when the people demanded a king.

In 1 Samuel 16:13, David is anointed king! Not commander! In the next verse the Lord departed from Saul's heart!

1 Samuel 16:14: "But your kingdom shall not continue...the Lord has sought a man after His own heart...you have not kept that which the Lord 'commanded' you." From then on an evil spirit tormented Saul.

1 Samuel 17:32: "And David said to Saul, 'Let no man's heart fail because of Him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine.'"

David, King David, with his faults, always was centered on loyalty to God. He made mistakes, but he was willing to trust and obey and admit his faults. God knew and loved David.

In 1 Samuel 17:34,35, David protected his father's flock from lions and bears and was more than willing to do that for the "children" of Israel.

I don't think that Saul was ever annointed King.

May 31 2023 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report