Tues.’s Devo - Saul is Made King

Read: 1 Samuel 10:1-11:15; John 6:43-71; Psalm 107:1-43; Proverbs 15:1-3 Samuel anointed Saul’s head with oil and kissed him. He told Saul that the Lord had appointed him to be the ruler over Israel and that when he left he would see two men beside Rachel’s tomb who would tell him that his donkeys had been found. When he got to the oak of Tabor he would see three men on their way to Bethel. One would have three young goats, another would have three loves of bread, and the third would be carrying a wineskin full of wine. They were to offer him the two loaves of bread and he was to accept it. When he got to Gibeah he would meet a band of prophets playing a harp, a tambourine an, a flute and a lyre and they would be prophesying. He would be changed into a different person and be given a new heart. He was then to come to Gilgal in seven days where Samuel would meet him for a sacrifice to the Lord. All of this happened just as Samuel said it would. When the prophets prophesied, Saul joined them. Samuel called Israel to Mizpeh and told that they had rejected God as their king so He would choose a king by lot. It came down to Saul but he was hiding. When they brought him out, he was taller than anyone there. Samuel presented him as their new king. Some of the people followed Saul, but others scoffed and complained. The tribes of Gad and Reuben had been oppressed by the Ammonites who would gouge out the right eye of all the men. They came to the town of Jabesh-gilead to take it also. The people begged them to sign a treaty of peace with them. The Ammonites said that they would if they could gouge out their right eye. The people asked for 7 days to decide. Meanwhile they sent for help from Saul. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul and he took two oxen and cut them into pieces and sent the me with messengers to the tribes throughout Israel. He told them that that would happen to whoever refused to come and help. It worked because 330,000 people showed up to fight. They sent news to the people of Jabesh-Gilead and showed up the next morning. They divided into three parts and defeated the Ammonites. It had been seven days, so they met with Samuel where Samuel conducted a solemn ceremony making Saul their king and offering peace offerings to the Lord. The people were filled with joy. In John, Jesus told them not to be upset that he said that no once could come to him unless the Father draws them to him. He was the way to God; he was the bread of life. Jesus explained that the people who ate manna died, but the ones who eat the bread of Jesus will live forever. This bread was his flesh. Boy, did that make them mad. They couldn’t image how Jesus expected them to eat his flesh. Jesus offended them even greater when he also told them that they had to drink his blood. Jesus did this on purpose because he wanted to weed out the ones who were just there for a show. He explained to his disciples that this could only be understood spiritually. Jesus lost many but his disciples knew that Jesus was their only hope. They had put all their eggs in his basket. Lord, even if we don’t understand everything that you are saying, we understand that You are the way, the truth and the life. We choose to follow you.