The Man Who Forgot the Plan (Part 1)

 King Saul has always puzzled me. I don't understand why he got in so much trouble. Why was God so angry with him that, not only did he take the throne from him, but His spirit as well? How can I write about something I don't understand? I don't know, but, maybe, together we can learn a little something about this famous man. Here goes...

Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin.

Birth order meant a lot back then.  Benjamin was the youngest son of Israel. So, when God heard Israel begging for a king, (so they could be like everyone else around them), he sent Samuel to the tribe of Benjamin to anoint a king. 

On the one hand, Saul was from the least of the tribes, but, within the tribe of Benjamin, Saul was the best! His dad, Kish, was a leader, a great man, quite famous in that part of the world at the time. Saul was tall, dark and handsome! The best of the best, that little Benjamin had to offer. 

Still, Saul was humble. He knew that he wasn't all that. He knew it is one thing to be the top of your class in a little small-town school, but quite another to be king of an entire nation.

He was out wandering around looking for his father's lost asses when Samuel found him. It was very unexpected. He started out seeking God and enjoying the presence of the Lord. Before long he found himself anointed as the King of Israel!

Most of Israel didn't know he was anointed king yet. 

This is how he got his title: 

The Ammonites surrounded Jabesh-Gilead, a town in Israel. The townspeople sent a message to King Nahash asking if they could make a peace treaty with him. What did he want? They were willing to become his slaves, pay him, whatever he asked.

"A peace treaty?! Sure! Absolutely!" the Ammonite King answered. "Let me cut out the right eye of everyone in your town and then we can have peace!" The blood-thirsty king was hungry for a fight.

The people of Gilead weren't too fond of that idea, so they asked for a week to think about the matter and see if anyone could fight for them. If they couldn't get an army together by then to fight, then they would let him. What other choice did they have?

Saul was out working in the field when he heard the news. He was so angry! This was not a fair fight at all! What kind of a king attacks peaceful, unarmed people? He sent a call out throughout the region asking for soldiers. He sent another message to the residents of Jabesh that by the time the sun got hot the next day, they would have help. The townspeople were so glad. They weren't alone. Help was on the way.

The residents of Jabesh sent a message to Nahash, king of the Ammonites: "We will come out tomorrow, and you can do what you want with us." That night, the people of Jabesh-Gilead slept. King Nahash and his army also slept. There would be bloodshed tomorrow. It would be a good day for these fierce warriors.

Early in the morning, Saul arrived with an army. He divided the soldiers into three groups. They attacked the middle of the enemy camp, fighting as soon as the Ammonites woke up. They fought all morning. By the time the sun got hot the enemy was so scattered that there weren't two of them next to each other. King Nahash had received the bloodshed he asked for.  Gilead was safe and Israel realized that they had a king! 

The people's response was interesting. I almost didn't include it here, but, as I am learning more about the significance of the story, I am thinking it might be more important than I thought. It tells a bit about human nature.

"Who was it that said Saul shouldn't be king?" the people demanded "Let's kill them!" 

Saul still had a good head on his shoulders though. And, he said, "No. No one is going to die today. God gave us victory and delivered us out of the hand of our enemies. God is our Savior. He saved us." 

Then Samuel invited the whole mob to Gilead. They offered sacrifices to God, appointed Saul as king, and had a great party!

It was a wonderful day!

We will leave Saul for now. Let's remember this moment. When God, Samuel and Saul were all on the same team. And, when Israel had victory over their enemies. I'm hoping to write more of the story in a few days. Maybe by this time next month I will understand a little bit more about Saul. 

Thank you for coming with me on this journey.