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God likes things in threes, and today we get three threes to look at as we finish off the start of Saul's story- one a set of timing, one a set of action, and one a set of redemption. When we left off, Saul had just returned to the home town, and was chatting with Uncle Abner. Abner finds out Saul had seen Samuel, and so, being devout, he has to ask:
1Sa 10:15 And Saul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel said to you."
1Sa 10:16 And Saul said to his uncle, "He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found." But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything.
Here, a man MIGHT say- based on what they know of Saul's future- he's a chicken. But actually, he is still that new man with that new heart- and wise enough now to wait on God's timing to tell the tale. If he had said this, half of his family would have put on airs, and half would've had him committed. And the people had to have it very clear- this was God's answer to their foolish request.
So when everyone gathers at Mizpah, even though Samuel knew what the outcome was going to be, he cast the Urim and Thummim to get God's choice for king. And then, when the lot finally fell to Saul...
1Sa 10:21 He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found.
1Sa 10:22 So they inquired again of the LORD, "Is there a man still to come?" and the LORD said, "Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage."
1Sa 10:23 Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward.
Again, we have to ask: chicken? No, but God could leave no doubt about the choice to this unruly mob, and having him waiting in the wings would have cast suspicion back on Samuel. God was leaving nothing to chance- and He doesn't for us, either. He has a plan, and He has His time. And even now, with all these proofs, there were those who didn't believe- and a time to wait:
1Sa 10:25 Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the LORD. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home.
1Sa 10:26 Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched.
1Sa 10:27 But some worthless fellows said, "How can this man save us?" And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.
Saul was now the anointed king, and he could've acted the part and had these "worthless fellows" eliminated- and he would have been well within the rights Samuel had just laid out. But Saul and Samuel were being faithful by waiting. Before we leave our "waiting section", let me show the one verse in this I left out:
1Sa 10:24 And Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen? There is none like him among all the people." And all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
Note that this came right after the text once again notes his great height. God and Samuel were both pointing out yet again- left to the people, kingship would become a popularity contest. But being a king was going to depend on character.
Now comes both the action part and the redemption part. The town of Jabesh-Gilead was threatened by Nahash, "the Snake" of Ammon. He threatened to dishonor them completely if they didn't surrender, and gave them seven days to seek help. This is redemption because, if I may hearken you back to the Judges series, J-G was the town that didn't show up to help during the Benjamin War, and it was the town that had all but its virgin women killed to give the last 600 Benjaminites wives. Then they did nothing; now, with a new population mainly of Benjamin (as was Saul), they had to humble themselves for help.
Action comes when word reaches Saul, who was still humbly helping Dad out with the farm. When he heard, though, it was now time for action:
1Sa 11:5 Now, behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, "What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?" So they told him the news of the men of Jabesh.
1Sa 11:6 And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled.
1Sa 11:7 He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, "Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!" Then the dread of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out as one man.
Now, the man who wouldn't even tell Uncle Abner let everyone know loud and clear: He was KING. Next, he would have to change from the 'hider' to the leader:
1Sa 11:11 And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
And finally, he would have to put his action into mercy:
1Sa 11:12 Then the people said to Samuel, "Who is it that said, 'Shall Saul reign over us?' Bring the men, that we may put them to death."
1Sa 11:13 But Saul said, "Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel."
For each hesitation, an action. And Samuel now gathered the people again at Gilgal and re-dedicated Saul as king. Real kings are born of action, and Saul, by waiting on the Lord, now had a firm throne. But would it last?
And the end of this week's story is set in the future- some 40 years in the future, when corrupted Saul fell on his sword in defeat...
2Sa 2:4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. When they told David, "It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul,"
2Sa 2:5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, "May you be blessed by the LORD, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord and buried him.
2Sa 2:6 Now may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing.
Jabesh-Gilead had went from doing nothing for the Lord, to humbling themselves for help, to finally receiving honor for what they did for the Lord's anointed. Pretty similar to the way WE are redeemed.
Next week, the whole "Power corrupts" thing begins to close in on our boy Saul.
