21 Saul answered, "But am I not a Benjamite, from thesmallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least ofall the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why dosuch a thing to me?" - P54
27 As they were going down to the edge of the town,
Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go on ahead ofus"-and the servant did so-"but you stay here for awhile, so that I may give you a message from God." - P55
The day before Saul came, the Lord told Samuel that He would send a manfrom the land of Benjamin to be the ruler over Israel. - P55
When Samuel sees Saul,
the Lord tells him that he is the man He spoke about. Samuel tells Saul thatall of the desire of Israel is turned to him. - P55
Saul dines with Samuel, and Samuelinvites Saul to stay with him for a while. - P55
Up to this point, Saul is simply on a quest to find his father‘s lost don-keys. He has no idea that God has commanded Samuel to anoint himas king over Israel. - P56
Even Samuel seems to ease Saul into the news verygradually, not telling him too much at first so as to not overwhelm him.
- P56
Like Saul, we have no way of predicting when God might call us to animportant mission. - P56
He will often do it unexpectedly, while we are busyat work in the regular tasks of life. But He will always find a way tomake His will for our lives known in a way we can understand. - P56
Let us stay open to how God might
reveal His plans for us. - P56
Samuel treats Saul with great respect and hospitality as his guest ofhonor at dinner. Saul does not know why he is given such deferencefrom this man of God. - P56
As a Benjamite, Saul comes from an insignificant clan and tribe,
and he cannot understand why Samuel treats himlike nobility. - P56
Sadly, we will soon see this humble attitude give way to pride as Saul rises in rank and power. - P56
Regardless of our status in ourvocations or ministry, may we always maintain an attitude of meeknessbefore God and man. - P56
God calls His people into different roles and tasksaccording to His divine will, and there is nothing we have done to earnour place at God‘s table. - P56
In legendary tales, kings are often expected to perform heroic deedsbefore they can enjoy the rights of their royal rank. Arthur had toretrieve the Sword in the Stone to prove himself worthy of the throneof Camelot. Ulysses had to get his crew through many dangers beforereturning to his kingdom of Ithaca. - P57
Even in history, leaders and rulerswere expected to achieve great things to earn their titles. The ancientGreek historian Diodorus reported that when Alexander the Greatwas asked on his deathbed to whom he would bequeath his kingdom,
he replied, "To the strongest."
- P57
But God does things differently: before Saul is anointed king of Israel,
he is invited to partake of a meal. It is as though God wants Saul tounderstand that it is through fellowship with Him that his kingdomwill be established. - P57
Saul unfortunately fails to walk with God and thekingdom is taken from him. - P57
God‘s call upon our lives is first and foremost a call to a relationshipwith Him. It matters little how many great things we have done if weneglect to simply be with Him. - P57
In fact, Jesus rebukes the hardworkingchurch of Ephesus because, amid the busyness of their good deeds,
they have forsaken the love they once had (Rev. 2:4). - P57
God may callus to something spectacular, or He may simply call us to everydayfaithfulness at work and at home. - P57
Either way, let us remember thatwe are first called to know and love Him-and there is no greatercalling than this. - P57
Lord God, Your work must always be done in Your way. - P57
I submit myself to thecall You have over my life, and I pray that You would empower me to be faithfulin Your service. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P57
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