Thurs.’s Devo - Saul’s Rise to Kingship

Read: 1 Samuel 10:1-11:15; John 6:43-71; Psalm 107:1-43; Proverbs 15:1-3
Saul was invited to eat and stay with the prophet of Israel. He had no idea what Samuel was about to tell him. Saul was just an ordinary young man. Saul took him aside to anoint him king. He anointed him with a flask of oil pouring it over his head. He kissed him and told him some things that were about to happen so Saul would believe that Samuel heard from God about the kingship. Israel had never had a king so there was no palace or throne. Saul just went home, but on the way, everything that Samuel said would happen did.
Days later, Samuel called the people of Israel to Mizpah which was their sacred meeting place. There he proclaimed Saul their king in the presence of the people. Saul had to be found because he was hiding. Saul had been called to the highest position of the land, so no wonder he was intimidated and afraid.
Once again, Samuel explained all the regulations of the king, but the people weren’t listening, they were shouting “Long live the king!” Saul didn’t have the heart of all the people; he had a few enemies among the people.
It didn’t take long for the people to need Saul’s leadership. The Ammonites came against Saul’s town to make them tribute slaves. The only way they would make a treaty of friendship with them was if Saul’s people agreed to gouge out their right eyes. Saul cut up and sent pieces of oxen to the tribes and told them that if they didn’t help him he would do the same to their oxen. Three hundred and thirty thousand men showed up to help and they won. Now, the people were convinced Saul was a worthy king and they wanted to kill all the men who had opposed Saul at first. Saul refused to retaliate against them because God had given them victory.
Saul started out as a very good king.
In John, Jesus made a very important statement. He said that no one could come to him unless God drew them. He told them that he was the only one who had ever seen God. Then he explained that he was the bread of life. He was the fulfillment of the manna from heaven. Whoever eats of his bread will live forever. His bread was his flesh. When the religious people questioned how they were suppose to eat his flesh Jesus threw an even greater analogy at them. He told them that if they didn’t eat his flesh or drink his blood they would not have life. The only way anyone could understand this would be to have spiritual understanding, which they didn’t. Jesus was whittling down his followers and looking for those who would follow even if they didn’t understand. These would be those who chose to walk by faith. Jesus will offend our flesh to speak to our spirit.
Lord, help us to walk by faith even when it doesn’t make sense to our carnal understanding.