Old Testament Stories

God sets a king in place and Samuel addressed the crowd. Part one of Samuel’s convocation address dealt with his credentials. The second part deals with what God had done for the children of Israel. He began by relating how the cries of their fathers led to God’s great deliverance from Egypt and slavery. “It is the Lord who raised up Moses and Aaron and who brought your fathers, up from the land of Egypt,” he said. “Now, therefore, stand still. I want to reason with you about the righteous acts of God on behalf of you and your fathers.” Samuel, God’s representative, summarized their deliverance, talked of their desire for a king, and caused them to consider their future.

Deliverance

Beginning with their deliverance from Egypt, Samuel reminds them of God’s continued help till this time, and what happened when they forgot God. He sold them into the hand of Sisera, and the Philistines, and the king of Moab. When they cried out to God, confessed their sin of idolatry, begged for His mercy and promised to serve Him, God sent men like Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah and Samuel who delivered them to a place of safety.

Desire for a King

But they wanted a king. When Nahash King of the Ammonites came against them, it was no longer enough to have God over them; they wanted a king. Samuel took it as a personal rejection, but God told him they were rejecting Him. Even though Samuel told them how their lives would change having a king, they still desired a king to rule over them. God heard and gave them Saul to be their king.

Consider the Future

Here is the king you have chosen and have desired. Take note, God has set a king over you. But look to your future. It isn’t your king who will decide your future. It will be how you deal with God. If you fear the Lord, serve Him and obey His commands, then you and your king will continue to follow Him. But if you do not listen and choose to go your own way, the Lord will be against you just as he was you fathers. Such were Samuel’s words to the people.

Samuel, God’s representative, summarized God’s deliverance, talked of their desire for a king, and caused them to consider their future.

The Gathering

Samuel called the people together at Mizpah so they could meet before the Lord. As God’s spokesperson, he reminded them again of God’s great deliverance from Egypt, the times He had delivered them from many kingdoms and from their oppressors. Then he told them they had rejected the God who had saved them from their enemies and from their various tribulations by saying they wanted a king. “Therefore, present yourselves to the Lord by your family groupings,” Samuel said.

Proclamation

After all the tribes came near, Samuel chose the tribe of Benjamin. When they came near, he chose the family of Matri and from there the son of Kish, Saul. But they could not find him. They turned to the Lord. “Where is he?” they asked. The Lord then told them the place where Saul was hiding. They ran and brought him out, this man who stood shoulder and above taller than everyone else. “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?” asked Samuel. “Long live the King!” they shouted.

Sent Home

Samuel then explained to the people the behaviour of royalty, which he wrote in a book and laid before the Lord. After, he sent them all home. Saul also went home, but not alone. God touched the hearts of several valiant men to accompany him. There were, however, rebels who doubted his capabilities, hated him and refused to bring him presents. But Saul said nothing.

Samuel gathered the people, proclaimed Saul King, and Saul returned home.

God Sets A King In Place