“Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?” 22 Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited—about thirty in number. 23 Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside.” 24 So the cook took up the thigh with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, “Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion from the time I said, ‘I have invited guests.’” And Saul dined with Samuel that day. 25 After they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of his house.26 They rose about daybreak, and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get ready, and I will send you on your way.” When Saul got ready, he and Samuel went outside together. 27 As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us”—and the servant did so—“but you stay here for a while, so that I may give you a message from God.” 1 Samuel 9.21-27
Just to get us caught up on the story….. Israel demands a king to Samuel. The Lord is unhappy with this decision but allows the people to have a king and will teach them a lesson for rejecting Him as their king. So God sends Samuel to a Benjamite named Saul. Tall, dark and good looking. Samuel meets Saul and begins to tell him that he has been chosen to lead the people of Israel.
When Samuel tells Saul that he’s been chosen Saul immediately replies with “But I am a Benjamite….the smallest tribe of Israel, and is my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin?” Why would God chose Saul? He looked good on the outside but in truth, he was from the least influential tribe, and from that tribe, his clan was the least. But this is who the Lord has chosen. The people wanted a king and so he chose Saul for a reason.
Samuel has a meal with Saul and they have the first of many conversations. Finally, after staying the night, Samuel is going to send Saul on his way but at the last minute sends the servant on ahead and tells Saul to stay “so that I may give you a message from God.” This is significant. Whenever a man or woman of God has a message of God meant directly for you, stop and take time to listen!
The rest of the conversation is in the next chapter but the significance of the meeting is not lost on Saul. His world is about to be rocked. He is going to be the immediate king of Israel, not a bad gig, except that he is replacing the Lord as King, which is fraught with danger. The Prophet Samuel is a tool in the hand of God to bring about deliverance, redemption and righteous to his people. Saul is not the deliverer but will highlight the need for God and what happens when a nation turns away.
So what happens when we reject God and go our own way? We are about to see in the next several chapters as Saul leads the people astray. It’s a grievous journey but one worth observing. It’s also a great reminder for us to keep the Lord the king of our lives. To put him first in all things. To not try to substitute God with anything else — relationships, addictions, desires, but to keep Jesus first in our lives.
How can you make him first? How can we allocate our time, resources, finances, relationships to make God priority number one? Strive to keep God your main focus, for without him we are doomed to fail, but with him we have complete deliverance.
“O Lord God, you are good. Even though I am sinful, I have a redeemer and his name is Jesus. Thank you Lord for saving me. Thank you for allowing me to walk with you in grace, seeking your forgiveness and offering you praise. Thank you God that you are not distant. Even though I stray, you remain steadfast. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power and love. I praise you and offer you my heart this very hour. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen