1 Samuel 9 +10
The tribe of Benjamin , if you have been following the story so far, was almost wiped out following an event toward the end of the book of Judges So it is quite interesting that God chose a man from this tribe to be Israel's first official king
Saul, son of Kish enters the story having been sent by his father to track down some missing donkeys. His searchings take him through the hill country of Ephraim, and the land of Benjamin without success.
As they got near Zuph (Don't ask where that is 'cos I don't actually know!) Saul was ready to give up and was thinking that his Dad would stop worrying about the donkeys and wonder what had happened to his handsome son. But his companion mentioned that there is a man of God living in the next town, why not ask him?
They have nothing to offer for this advice in terms of food, or animals but Sauls companion has a quarter of a shekel of silver (approx 3 grammes) which is not really very much, but worth a go!
The Bible says Saul was very tall (a head taller than most other people) and very handsome.
Reaching the town Saul asks for the seer and is told he has just arrived and is about to conduct the sacrifice and then join the feast.
God had warned Samuel the previous day that tomorrow he would send a man from Benjamin who was the chosen king of Israel. when Samuel caught sight of Saul, God told him that this was the man.
Saul asked Samuel where the seer was to be found and Samuel said "I am the Seer, as for those donkeys, they have been found." Samuel told Saul to wait at the top of the hill as he will be the guest at the feast.
Later Samuel asked for a private word with Saul before sending him on his way, having annotated him with olive oil as the king, with specific instructions - that sound a little like time travel advice
When you leave me today, near Rachel's tomb (Outside Bethlehem) he will hear that the donkeys are safe and his father is wondering what has happened to Saul.
Going on from there to the big tree at Tabor you will meet three men going up to Bethel to worship, they will be carrying 3 young goats, 3 loaves of bread and a skin of wine. They will offer you 2 loaves of bread which you will accespt
After that you will go on to Gibeah and as you approach the town you will meet a procession of prophets coming the other way with lyres, timbrels, pipes and harps being played - the Spirit of God will come on you with power and you will prophesy and be changed by this encounter into a different man.
Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever occurs to you to do.
These signs happened and it is a different Saul who is accosted by his Uncle. Saul recounted his tale omitting that Samuel had anointed him king
To hurry things along - Samuel called an assembly of Israel at Mizpah to present themselves by tribe and family for God to choose by casting lots.
The lot fell to the tribe of Benjamin, the clan of Matri and the family of Kish - but Saul was trying his best to be inconspicuous and elsewhere by hiding in the luggage, from where he had to be dragged out.
Samuel set forth the rules for king and kingdom and laid them in a scroll before God, then he dismissed the people. having acclaimed Saul as king.
Saul went back home, now accompanied by valiant men pledged to his service.
Typically there were some unsavoury people who did not like Saul and refused to bring him gifts.
Perhaps Saul on this occasion was right to stay silent.
So Israel has now got a king
The tribe of Benjamin , if you have been following the story so far, was almost wiped out following an event toward the end of the book of Judges So it is quite interesting that God chose a man from this tribe to be Israel's first official king
Saul, son of Kish enters the story having been sent by his father to track down some missing donkeys. His searchings take him through the hill country of Ephraim, and the land of Benjamin without success.
As they got near Zuph (Don't ask where that is 'cos I don't actually know!) Saul was ready to give up and was thinking that his Dad would stop worrying about the donkeys and wonder what had happened to his handsome son. But his companion mentioned that there is a man of God living in the next town, why not ask him?
They have nothing to offer for this advice in terms of food, or animals but Sauls companion has a quarter of a shekel of silver (approx 3 grammes) which is not really very much, but worth a go!
The Bible says Saul was very tall (a head taller than most other people) and very handsome.
Reaching the town Saul asks for the seer and is told he has just arrived and is about to conduct the sacrifice and then join the feast.
God had warned Samuel the previous day that tomorrow he would send a man from Benjamin who was the chosen king of Israel. when Samuel caught sight of Saul, God told him that this was the man.
Saul asked Samuel where the seer was to be found and Samuel said "I am the Seer, as for those donkeys, they have been found." Samuel told Saul to wait at the top of the hill as he will be the guest at the feast.
Later Samuel asked for a private word with Saul before sending him on his way, having annotated him with olive oil as the king, with specific instructions - that sound a little like time travel advice
When you leave me today, near Rachel's tomb (Outside Bethlehem) he will hear that the donkeys are safe and his father is wondering what has happened to Saul.
Going on from there to the big tree at Tabor you will meet three men going up to Bethel to worship, they will be carrying 3 young goats, 3 loaves of bread and a skin of wine. They will offer you 2 loaves of bread which you will accespt
After that you will go on to Gibeah and as you approach the town you will meet a procession of prophets coming the other way with lyres, timbrels, pipes and harps being played - the Spirit of God will come on you with power and you will prophesy and be changed by this encounter into a different man.
Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever occurs to you to do.
These signs happened and it is a different Saul who is accosted by his Uncle. Saul recounted his tale omitting that Samuel had anointed him king
To hurry things along - Samuel called an assembly of Israel at Mizpah to present themselves by tribe and family for God to choose by casting lots.
The lot fell to the tribe of Benjamin, the clan of Matri and the family of Kish - but Saul was trying his best to be inconspicuous and elsewhere by hiding in the luggage, from where he had to be dragged out.
Samuel set forth the rules for king and kingdom and laid them in a scroll before God, then he dismissed the people. having acclaimed Saul as king.
Saul went back home, now accompanied by valiant men pledged to his service.
Typically there were some unsavoury people who did not like Saul and refused to bring him gifts.
Perhaps Saul on this occasion was right to stay silent.
So Israel has now got a king
No comments:
Post a Comment