April 10

1 Samuel 9-12 (biblegateway.com)

The King They Wanted, The God They Needed

Chapters 9 through 12 of 1 Samuel mark a pivotal transition in Israel’s history, from a theocracy under God’s direct leadership to a monarchy led by human kings. Though the people demanded a king “like all the other nations” (1 Samuel 8:5), God graciously allowed it and guided the process by choosing Saul. In these chapters, we see God’s sovereignty on display as He orchestrates Saul’s rise, Samuel’s anointing, and the public affirmation of Saul’s kingship. At the same time, we see the tension between human desire and divine purpose. Israel got what they asked for, but Samuel reminds them that obedience to God remains the only path to blessing.

1 Samuel 9 introduces Saul, a Benjamite from the small and often overlooked tribe of Benjamin. Saul is described as “a handsome young man,” taller than any of the people (v. 1-2). His father, Kish, sends him to search for some lost donkeys, and Saul travels with a servant through various regions without success (v. 3-5). When they reach the land of Zuph, the servant suggests they consult a man of God named Samuel, who lives nearby and is highly respected (v. 6-10). Meanwhile, God speaks to Samuel, revealing that He will send a man from Benjamin who is to be anointed as ruler over Israel (v. 15-16). When Samuel meets Saul, God confirms that he is the chosen one (v. 17). This doesn’t suggest that Saul fully met God’s ultimate standards, but rather that God, in His grace, was allowing the people to follow their own desires. When Samuel and Saul met, clearly orchestrated by God’s providence, Samuel reassured Saul about the lost donkeys and revealed that he was the one God had chosen to be king (v. 20).

We often view life’s events as random, but Saul’s story reminds us that God can use everyday situations to guide us according to His purposes. Seemingly ordinary moments may actually be divine appointments meant to shape our character or redirect our path. Reflect on the recent highs and lows in your life. Could God be using them to develop something in you or prepare you for a new area of service? Look for His hand in the details.

Surprised by Samuel’s declaration, Saul could only respond that he was unworthy of such a high honor (v. 21). The transparency and humility of Saul are evident at this stage of his career. Saul’s response, “Why do you say such a thing to me?” also reveals a deep-rooted struggle with insecurity, a weakness that would plague him throughout his life. He wavered between emotion and conviction, often making decisions driven by fear, pride, or self-preservation. Although Saul was chosen by God and given a clear mission, he consistently struggled with jealousy, insecurity, arrogance, impulsiveness, and deception. He never fully surrendered his heart to God, and because he refused to let God’s love quiet his fears and shape his character, he ultimately failed to become the leader God intended him to be.

Samuel, then, invites Saul to a special meal and gives him the place of honor and a choice portion of meat, symbolizing divine favor (v. 22-24). The next morning, Samuel detained him so that he might communicate with him alone (with Saul’s servant going on ahead) the revelation of God about his selection as king (vv. 25-27).

1 Samuel 9 reminds us that God’s providence is always at work, even in the mundane details of life. What begins as a simple search for lost donkeys becomes the beginning of Saul’s divine calling as Israel’s first king. Though Saul was unaware, God was orchestrating every step to bring him to the prophet Samuel at just the right moment.

This chapter teaches us that God is sovereign over both the ordinary and the extraordinary. He uses seemingly insignificant events to accomplish His purposes. Like Saul, we often don’t realize how God is guiding us until we look back. The challenge for us is to walk in daily trust, believing that no detail of our lives is wasted in His hands. Are you paying attention to the ways God might be leading you through everyday circumstances? Are you open to divine appointments even when your plans are disrupted? Let 1 Samuel 9 encourage you to seek God’s hand in your daily life and to remain sensitive to His leading, trusting that He is always working behind the scenes for His glory and your good.

In chapter 10, Samuel privately anoints Saul by pouring oil on his head and tells him, “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel?” (v. 1). Samuel gives Saul three detailed signs to confirm his calling: first, he will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb who will confirm the donkeys have been found (v. 2); second, he will receive bread from three men at the oak of Tabor (v. 3-4); third, he will meet a group of prophets, and the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon him, causing him to prophesy (v. 5-6). These signs all come to pass, and God gives Saul a new heart (v. 9-13).

How could Saul be filled with the Spirit and still later fall into such disobedience? In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit often came upon individuals temporarily to empower them for specific tasks or divine purposes. This was especially common with Israel’s judges, who were anointed for moments of deliverance or leadership. The Spirit’s presence in these instances was not always a permanent indwelling, but rather a temporary empowerment to fulfill God’s purposes. There are even examples of the Spirit enabling non-believers to accomplish God’s will (Numbers 24; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23).

When Saul was first anointed king, the Spirit of God came upon him and transformed him into someone ready for leadership. However, the Spirit’s empowering did not automatically guarantee lasting character or spiritual maturity. While the Spirit gave him power to lead, Saul failed to cultivate the deeper fruits of the Spirit, such as humility and obedience. Over time, his pride overtook his dependence on God, and as he distanced himself from the Lord, God withdrew His Spirit from him (1 Samuel 16:14). What began as a promising reign ended in spiritual decline because Saul chose pride and self-reliance over continued surrender to God.

Samuel later calls the tribes of Israel together at Mizpah and casts lots to publicly reveal Saul as king (v. 17-21). When Saul is chosen, he is found hiding among the baggage, a sign of his insecurity (v. 22-23). The people shout, “Long live the king!” (v. 24), though some despise him (v. 27).

1 Samuel 10 reveals that when God calls someone, He also equips them. After anointing Saul, Samuel gives him signs that confirm God’s hand on his life, and verse 6 states that “the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you powerfully… and you will be changed into a different person.” This transformation emphasizes that spiritual calling is not about human qualification, but divine empowerment. God gave Saul what he needed to lead. God gave His Spirit, signs of confirmation, and the support of others whose hearts He touched. However, we also see hints of Saul’s insecurity when he hides during his public presentation.

This reminds us that fear and hesitation can hinder our obedience, even when God has made His calling clear. The challenge for us is twofold. First, we must recognize that God still calls and equips His people today through the Holy Spirit, and second, we must respond with confidence rather than shrinking back in fear. Are you resisting something God has called you to because you feel unqualified or afraid? Like Saul, you may feel small in your own eyes, but God delights in using the humble and empowering them for His purposes.

1 Samuel 10 ends with an important detail. “But some worthless men said, ‘How can this man save us?’ And they despised him and brought him no present. But Saul held his peace” (v. 27). Even though Saul had just been publicly anointed and confirmed as Israel’s first king, chosen by God and affirmed by the people, there were still some who rejected him. This serves as a powerful reminder that not everyone will celebrate the blessings or callings God places on our lives. Sometimes, others will question, criticize, or even despise what God is doing in and through us.

Saul’s response is also noteworthy. He “held his peace.” He didn’t retaliate or defend himself. There’s wisdom in recognizing that we don’t have to answer every critic. Instead, we can trust God to validate and vindicate us in His time. Like Saul in this moment, we are called to stay focused on the calling God has given us, even when others don’t understand or support it. When God promotes or appoints us, we must walk in humility and confidence, not depending on people’s approval, but on God’s affirmation.

After Saul is anointed and introduced as king in chapter 10, his leadership is quickly put to the test in chapter 11 as he steps into action to deliver Jabesh-Gilead. When Nahash the Ammonite besieges Jabesh-Gilead, he offers a humiliating condition for surrender. He would make a treaty, he says, on one condition, gouging out the right eyes of all the men (v. 1-2). The elders ask for seven days to find help. When the message reaches Saul, the Spirit of God rushes upon him with righteous anger (v. 6). He takes a yoke of oxen, cuts them in pieces, and sends them throughout Israel, warning that this will happen to anyone who does not join the battle (v. 7). The fear of the Lord falls on the people, and 330,000 men gather to fight (v. 8).

Saul organizes a successful surprise attack and defeats the Ammonites (v. 8-11). After the victory, the people want to punish those who had doubted Saul’s leadership, but Saul refuses and redirects glory to the Lord (v. 12-13). At Gilgal, Saul is reaffirmed as king, and Israel rejoices with sacrifices and celebration (v. 14-15).

1 Samuel 11 demonstrates that when God’s Spirit empowers a leader, courage and deliverance follow. Saul, newly anointed and previously hesitant, is suddenly filled with righteous anger and boldness when he hears of the Ammonite threat against Jabesh-Gilead. The Spirit of God comes upon him powerfully, enabling him to unite Israel, lead with authority, and rescue the oppressed. Saul’s victory leads to national unity and a public reaffirmation of his kingship.

As believers, we are also called to act when we see injustice or suffering, not in our own strength, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. The personal challenge here is to ask ourselves, are we moved by the needs around us? Are we willing to step out in faith and let God use us to bring hope and deliverance? Like Saul, we must be ready to respond when the Spirit prompts us, trusting that God will equip us for whatever task He puts before us.

1 Samuel 12 includes Samuel’s farewell address. In his speech, Samuel first defends his own integrity, inviting the people to testify if he has wronged anyone (v. 1-5). No one accuses him. He then recounts Israel’s history, highlighting God’s deliverance from Egypt and His faithfulness during times of oppression (v. 6-11). Samuel rebukes the people for asking for a king, saying it was a rejection of God’s kingship (v. 12-13). Still, he affirms that if both the people and their king fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully, they will prosper (v.14-15).

To underline the seriousness of their request for a king, Samuel calls on the Lord to send thunder and rain during harvest. This was a shocking and unnatural event that terrifies the people (v. 16-18). They plead with Samuel to intercede (v. 19). Samuel assures them that though they have done evil, they must not turn aside from following the Lord. He promises to continue praying for them and teaching them the good and right way (v. 20-24). The chapter ends with a sober warning: “If you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish” (v. 25).

In conclusion, as Saul steps into leadership, we’re reminded that God can use even imperfect leaders to accomplish His purposes. But the true message of these chapters is not Saul’s rise; rather, it is Samuel’s call to faithfulness. In his farewell address, Samuel urges the people to fear the Lord, serve Him wholeheartedly, and remember His great deeds. Even after poor choices, there is still a path of repentance and renewal. The people had sinned by demanding a king, yet God, in His mercy, was still willing to bless them if they would remain faithful. This tension between divine mercy and personal responsibility still speaks today. No matter our past, God invites us into a future of obedience and blessing. The question is, will we trust Him as our true King?