June 28 & 29, 2025
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Reading along with us in 1 Samuel and Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Samuel 9 (NIV)
Samuel Anoints Saul
1 There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. 2 Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.…..Continue Reading
1 Samuel 9
Although God is giving Israel something He would direct against, He leads Samuel to the right man as an expression of His grace and care for them. He even orchestrates circumstances for Saul to come in contact with Samuel and God tells Samuel he is the man. Now it is nice to see Saul’s humility at this point, but the most significant part of this account is the fact that God will eventually reject Saul as king. But that does not mean that He doesn’t give Saul a chance to make choices and decide which way he will go. What a great validation that free will is something God gives us and although God is sovereign, our choices determine a lot of what our lives become.
God gives Israel what they want even though they are rejecting Him and want to be like other nations. He tells Samuel who He has chosen. Saul seems to be humble at first and being dutiful to his father to find the donkeys. When Samuel speaks to him, he states right out that his tribe of Benjamin is the smallest of the tribes, and his family is the least of them all. Samuel makes it clear to Saul that he will be king. He has a great start and even to the people would look like a king. For people look on the outward appearance and God looks at the heart. He is very handsome and is taller than anyone else in Israel. The perfect king at least to the people. God knew the outcome, but Saul had to make the right choices, and he often failed. Sometimes he had victory but that was because of following God. Eventually God would reject him and name another. God knows the big picture, and would latter have David become king of which Jesus was descended. God bless.
1 Samuel 9
1 Samuel 9
1 Samuel 9
1 Samuel 9
God gives the people what they want, a king but He still has His hand in who that king will be. Saul with this humble start still had choices to stay humble and rule God’s people that way. Unfortunately we know how this story ends but it reminds us that in everything we have choices to make and those choices have ripple effects, not just in our lives. but in the lives of others. So we must be listening to God’s voice and making the choices He wants us to make. Even when something seems good and a correct choice, we must always consider is it the one God wants for us?
1 Samuel 9
1 Samuel 9