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The Anointing of Saul, Israel's First King
The Anointing of Saul, Israel's First King
The history of Israel, as recorded in the sacred pages of the King James Version Bible, is a profound testament to God's faithfulness and His intricate dealings with humanity. Among its most pivotal moments is the transition from a theocracy, ruled directly by judges, to a monarchy, initiated by the anointing of Saul as the nation's first king. This event, detailed primarily in 1 Samuel 8-10, reveals much about God's sovereignty, human will, and the nature of divine anointing.
A Nation's Demand and God's Response
For centuries, Israel had been governed by judges raised up by God, such as Gideon, Samson, and Samuel. This system, while divinely ordained, relied heavily on the people's obedience and their leaders' integrity. As Samuel, the last of the judges, grew old, the elders of Israel approached him with a momentous request:
And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
This demand was not merely for a ruler but for a king "like all the nations." It reflected a desire to conform to the surrounding cultures rather than to continue in their unique, God-centered identity. Samuel was displeased, but the Lord's response was instructive:
And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
Despite Israel's rejection of His direct rule, God, in His infinite wisdom and forbearance, consented to their request. He would give them a king, but He would choose him, demonstrating that even human desires, when permitted, fall within the scope of His overarching plan. This divine prerogative ensured that the anointing would not be a mere political appointment but a sacred act of God's choosing.
Saul, the Unlikely Candidate
The man chosen by God was Saul, a son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. The initial description of Saul paints a picture of a physically impressive individual:
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
Saul was physically imposing, fitting the popular image of a king. However, his initial appearance in the narrative is not as a warrior or a leader, but as a humble man searching for his father's lost asses. This mundane task led him, by divine providence, directly into the path of Samuel. Unbeknownst to Saul, God had already revealed His plan to the prophet the day before Saul's arrival:
Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
This foreknowledge underscores God's meticulous orchestration of events. Saul's journey to find lost asses was, in reality, a journey to find his destiny as Israel's first king.
The Private Anointing by Samuel
Upon Saul's arrival, Samuel immediately recognized him as the man God had spoken of. After hosting Saul and his servant, Samuel took Saul aside early the next morning for the solemn act of anointing.
Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
This was a private anointing, a symbolic act of consecration. The pouring of oil signified the setting apart of Saul for a sacred office, endowing him with divine authority and enablement. It was a covenantal act, marking God's choice and the transfer of His Spirit for the task ahead. Samuel then gave Saul three specific signs that would confirm God's word:
These signs were not random; they were precise, verifiable confirmations designed to strengthen Saul's faith and assure him of the divine origin of his calling. They served as a tangible proof that his anointing was indeed from the Lord.
The Spirit of God Comes Upon Saul
True to Samuel's word, as Saul departed, the signs began to unfold. Most significantly, the third sign came to pass:
And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
The phrase "God gave him another heart" indicates a profound internal transformation, a divine empowerment for the kingly office. This was not a change of moral character in the sense of salvation (as we understand it in the New Testament), but a spiritual endowment specifically for leadership and service. The anointing oil was merely a symbol; the true anointing was the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Saul, previously a humble man, was now divinely equipped for the monumental task of leading Israel. This experience was so striking that those who knew him exclaimed, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (1 Samuel 10:11).
The Public Confirmation at Mizpeh
Following the private anointing and the confirming signs, Samuel gathered all the tribes of Israel at Mizpeh for a public declaration of the king. This assembly served to formally present God's chosen leader to the people and to solidify his authority in the eyes of the nation. Samuel reminded the people of their rejection of God's direct rule:
And Samuel said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you. And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.
The selection process involved casting lots, a method used in ancient Israel to discern God's will. The process painstakingly narrowed down the choice until it fell upon the tribe of Benjamin, then the family of Matri, and finally, upon Saul, the son of Kish (1 Samuel 10:20-21). However, Saul, perhaps due to humility or apprehension, was nowhere to be found:
And when they sought him, he could not be found. Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.
This initial humility is noteworthy, contrasting sharply with his later pride. Once brought forth, his physical stature immediately impressed the people:
And when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward. And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.
Thus, Saul was publicly proclaimed king, and the people rejoiced. Samuel then explained the rights and duties of the kingdom, writing them in a book and laying it up before the Lord (1 Samuel 10:25).
Lessons from Saul's Anointing
The anointing of Saul provides several enduring lessons for believers:
- God's Sovereignty in Human Choices: Even when Israel made a misguided request for a king, God remained sovereign. He allowed their choice but still chose the man, demonstrating His ability to work within human limitations and desires to accomplish His purposes.
- The Nature of Divine Anointing: The anointing was not merely a ceremonial act but a genuine impartation of the Spirit of God for a specific task. Saul was "turned into another man," empowered for leadership. This foreshadows the New Testament concept of the Holy Spirit empowering believers for service.
- The Importance of Obedience: While Saul was divinely chosen and empowered, his reign ultimately failed because of his disobedience to God's commands (1 Samuel 13:13-14, 1 Samuel 15:23). Anointing and gifting do not negate the necessity of a humble, obedient heart.
- Physical Appearance vs. Spiritual Character: Saul's physical impressiveness initially satisfied the people's desire for a king "like all the nations." However, God's true criteria for leadership always go beyond outward appearances, focusing on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
- God's Patience and Grace: Despite Israel's rejection of God's direct rule, He still showed grace by giving them a king and equipping him for the role, providing a leader who could initially protect them.
Saul's anointing marks a significant turning point in Israel's history. It was a moment of divine appointment, characterized by private consecration, supernatural confirmation, and public acclamation. Though his reign would later falter due to his own choices, the initial anointing of Saul serves as a powerful reminder of God's active involvement in the affairs of men, His sovereign choice, and the vital role of the Holy Spirit in empowering those He calls to service.
This article was generated by AI to serve as a helpful starting point for study. The Scriptures are always the ultimate guide. Explore them directly on our Study page.
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