Day 67 – 1 Samuel: Samuel & Saul

“When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told said, “That’s the man I told you about! He will rule my people.” 1 Samuel 9:17

Reading 1 Samuel 8:1 to 1 Samuel 15:35

Thus far we have already learned that God wanted His chosen nation to be ruled by His moral standards and righteous convictions as a free nation. Samuel carefully explained all the negative consequences of having a king. He warned against the drafting of young men into the army, making the young men run “before his chariots”, forcing slave labor, taking the best of their fields and vineyards, using their property for personal gain, and demanding a tenth of their harvest and flocks. To sum it up, the people would serve and worship the king of the nation and not the King of creation. Israel refused to listen.

Despite his warnings, God told Samuel about a man who would rule the people and when he saw Saul, God said, “That’s the man I told you about!” Saul showed great promise. He was strong, tall, and humble. God’s Spirit came upon him, and Saul was his counsellor. But as the story unfolds, Saul deliberately disobeys God and becomes an evil king. We should not base our hopes or future on our potential; instead, we must consistently obey God in all areas of our lives. God evaluates obedience, not potential.

Prayer: Father, thank You for showing us that Your will is always better than what we think we want. Through our obedience, we see Your Heart and Your will for our lives and for Your Kingdom. Thank You for always wanting the best for us regardless of what we believe. May our hearts desire to be obedient in all things. Amen.