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THE RAISING UP OF SAUL 1 Samuel 8 The story begins here: "And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons to judge Israel." (vs. 1) What is the problem? His sons didn't walk in Samuel's godly ways. They turned aside from what they were supposed to be doing in order to gain bribes and filthy lucre. They also perverted justice. Soon the elders gathered and came to Samuel at Ramah and said unto him, "Behold thou art old and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations." (vs. 5) Now Samuel was quite displeased because he knew that God was supposed to be their King. When he prayed about it, the Lord told him to go ahead and give the people a king, for they had not rejected him, they had rejected God as the one who was supposed to have the Kingship, and rule over them as Lord. But this was nothing new—they had been in rebellion since they came out of Egypt. Egypt is always a picture of the world, with its rule and reign over their lives—see 1 Samuel 8:20. What the people really wanted was to live like the rest of the world and serve other gods—not really so different from today. So the Lord told Samuel what kind of king they would be getting—he will bring you burdens; he'll take a tenth more from you than the Lord requires; he'll turn you into slaves, and take the best of your donkeys, fields, menservants, and daughters for his own use. You will cry out for relief, but the Lord will not answer you. (see 1 Samuel 8:10-18 and 2 Chronicles 10:19) If you and I will have any other focus than the Lord today, the same thing will happen—the other gods of the world will become "king" over us. We think they will do us good, but they will only bring us down. In Samuel's day, the people refused to listen—they not only wanted to be like the world, they wanted someone else to fight their battles. Let someone else take the Lord seriously; let someone else be more committed; let someone else gather for prayer; I have other stuff to do. So, as God directed—for He knows the beginning from the end of all things—Samuel anointed Saul as king. Even though the Lord knew he wouldn't work out, he gave the people one who could make an excellent king—if he would have followed the Lord. For a time, Saul led the people with a godly direction, but he, too, "turned aside" from the Lord, taking on the role of priest, when he was supposed to be the king. But the Lord is in control—when the Lord's Spirit left Saul, David would be anointed king over the people. And God's plan of salvation would continue, for down through the centuries, in the line of David, a baby would be born in Bethlehem—Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords! This plan was formed before the world was formed—God knows all things and is in control of all things. We need to desire Jesus' will and ways to be "formed" in us—repent, turn from sin, be born-again, and give control over to Jesus, for He will be a far better King than we could ever be. Let Jesus be King!! Praise, Honor, and Glory to You, Lord Jesus!! ~ Nancy J. Faust
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