## The People's Choice - Life of Saul - 2

In their stubborn rebellion against God, the Israelites asked for a king, and God gave them their request. "I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath" (Hos. 13:11). God gave them a king not only to meet their needs but also to discipline them. He wanted to teach them some lessons about His own sovereignty and their responsibility.

- God is sovereign in all the affairs of this world, but man is also responsible.
- Divine sovereignty and human responsibility are both taught in the Bible, and we must keep them in balance.
- If we emphasize only divine sovereignty, then we make God responsible for man's sin.
- If we emphasize only human responsibility, then we rob God of His power and glory.
- The two go together.

The choosing of a king for Israel shows how divine sovereignty and human responsibility work together to accomplish God's purpose on earth.

I. God Calls Saul. v1-10

A. The man.

1. He possessed several natural, positive qualities that made him a good choice for king.

(1 Sam 9:1) "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."

2. Saul came from a leading family.

a. The word "power" in this verse means "wealth."

b. The tribe of Benjamin was not a large tribe; in fact, it was one of the smallest.

c. Perhaps it didn't take a great deal of wealth to be a mighty man in the tribe of Benjamin, but at least Saul came from a leading family.

d. His father, Kish, apparently was quite successful, and since Saul was working with his father, he enjoyed the benefits of that success.

3. Saul was physically strong and attractive.

(1 Sam 9:2) "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."

a. In the East height is very important; those who are tall are respected and admired.

b. Saul was physically strong and attractive.

c. God can use a person's physical characteristics for His service, including the fact that he or she is good looking.

4. Saul was also obedient to his father.

a. Note: v3

(1 Sam 9:3) "And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses."

b. This seems like an insignificant event.

1) Some valuable animals are lost, and Saul goes to find them.

2) Yet this insignificant event led to some great things.

3) Little did Saul realize, when he went to look for those animals, that he would meet Samuel, that he would be anointed king and that he would come home the leader of the entire nation of Israel.

4) Someone has written that we never know what great doors may turn upon small hinges!

5) If we have some insignificant task to perform today, we need to do the very best we can; it may be the door to some other great responsibility and privilege.

c. Saul obeyed his father and was diligent in pursuing this particular task.

d. He and the servant went through the hill country of Ephraim and then passed through the land of Shalisha.

e. They couldn't find the animals, but they kept on looking … they were diligent.

5. Saul cared about his father.

(1 Sam 9:5) "And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us."

a. He was concerned about others.

b. He did not want to cause his father to worry.

6. Saul was also willing to listen to counsel.

a. His servant suggested they visit the man of God, Samuel.

b. It doesn't appear that Saul knew who Samuel was before this time.

c. What does the fact that he didn't know Samuel tell us about Saul?

d. He apparently didn't know much of spiritual matters…Samuel was an old man at this time and you would think that most would at least have known his name, his servant did.

B. The Meeting with Samuel. v11-26

1. By 'chance' Saul and his servant did meet Samuel.

2. But Samuel had heard from God the day before concerning 'a man out of the land of Benjamin'.

3. When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord spoke to him again … "behold the man".

4. Samuel confirmed to Saul that he was the 'seer' or prophet. Cf. v20

5. Samuel had prepared a coronation banquet by faith…God came through on time, as always.

6. Saul and his servant stayed with Samuel until the next morning.

7. Saul was obedient to the man of God.

II. The Equipping of Saul. 9:27-10:9

A. Remember, Saul was God's choice. v27

1. God chose him because the people wanted a king.

2. And He was going to teach them some important spiritual lessons.

3. In chapter 9 He called Saul, and we will see that in chapter 10 He will equip him.

B. Samuel anointed Saul to be the ruler of Israel. 10:1-8

1. He assures him that the asses had been found and that he could stop worrying.

2. God also gave Saul the assurance that He would provide for every need.

3. Finally, Saul is assured that God will supply the power that he will need.

(1 Sam 10:6) And the spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

(1 Sam 10:7) And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.

C. God gave Saul 'another heart'. v9

1. God would make a new person out of Saul.

2. When the Spirit of God would come upon him, he would be transformed from an ordinary farmer into a leader!

D. God gave Saul 'a band of men whose hearts God had touched.' v26

- God's sovereignty is seen in the events of Saul's call and equipping as king of Israel.
- When God calls, He always equips.
- He will provide all our needs and empower us to do the job He has called us to do.