THESE verses, which complete chapter 10 of 1 Samuel, tell us the story of what was in fact Saul's coronation. There are three directions for our thought and consideration. There is God changing Saul to equip him for his new responsibilities. There is the coronation where Samuel brings Saul to the people as their king. There are indications as to the state of the people of Israel at this time.
SAUL EQUIPPED
God never calls people to service without equipping them for the task. Saul's heart is changed (v.9). God does change lives. We need to enquire into what this change involved. There are some indications in these verses.
Firstly, Saul obviously was endowed with power from the Holy Spirit. This is seen in the fact he joined the prophets in their prophesying (v.10), and this attributed to the Spirit of God coming upon him in power. This not only made Saul spiritually aware, but gave him spiritual power for the task ahead.
Secondly, we find humility in Saul at this time . He is not boastful but retiring. We find him being silent when his uncle enquires what has happen since he went away (v.16). We find him hiding among the baggage when he is announced as king (v.22).
Thirdly, we find that God gives him supporters and helpers, men whose hearts are also touched by God, so that he may not be alone in the great responsibilities ahead (v.26).
When God calls to service, he gives the ability and gifts needed for the task. We shall see that Saul does not stay long as the man we see here. It reveals to us how such blessings need to be maintained by humble living in the presence of God. God's gifts should never be taken for granted.
THE CORONATION
Two things need to be noted here. The first is that God did not leave Saul to make himself known as the new king, but God selects him before the people through the selection process carried out by Samuel. The second is that Samuel testifies to the God's selection of Saul and witnesses to God's equipment of Saul, and causes the people to accept him as king. (v.23,24).
We see God's gracious working for his servants. Saul was called to a great position and responsibility, but God supports him in every way. This is something we can take to heart for ourselves.
THE STATE OF THE PEOPLE
Although God gives Israel a king, and equips him to be king, yet the people are told of their wrong attitude and sin in asking for a king (v.19). In asking for a king they showed they were rejecting the Lord. Outward actions in the life of God's people and in the life of the church are not always revealing a right spirit. We need to guard against similar desires which are really an expression of worldly desires, and not desires which come from God, but rather show a departure from God.
Then we see that some in Israel were even more departing from the Lord than the rest. In verse 27 we are told of troublemakers, who were not ready to accept Saul as their new king.
It is amazing that God still goes on loving his people even though there is so much wrong in their lives. How we need to search our hearts that we are truly seeking the will of God and not our own.
APPLICATION
For our discussion we can commence with the obvious fact of God in all the affairs of humankind. Then there is the revelation of God working in the lives of his people. We are not thrown in at the deep end without support and help. Then there is the warning that human sin and corruption will be always present, needing to be guarded against.