When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges for Israel, but his sons did not walk in God's ways. They turned aside from God after receiving dishonest gains and accepting bribes. They also perverted justice, making claims of rightness. So the elders came to Samuel and made demands, "You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all other nations have." This displeased Samuel, so he took it to the Lord. The Lord told him, "Listen to what all the people are saying to you. It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. They have forsaken me since I brought them out of Egypt, serving other gods. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do." And Samuel did just that.
"He will take your sons to serves him in battle. Some will be assigned to be commanders of thousands; others will plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others will make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. Your daughters will become his perfumers, cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your wine and give it to his officials and attendants. Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will all cry out for relief from this king, and the Lord will not answer you." But the Lord said, "Give them a king."
Now, a man of standing had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites, who had been sent on an errand to bring back his father's donkeys who had wandered away and were nowhere within the vicinity. So, Saul and a servant passed through the hill country and on into the next district, but they did not find them. When they reached the next district, Saul wanted to go back, concerned that his father may begin to worry about his son, rather than his donkeys.
But the servant knew there was a man of God in the town they were now in, and suggested that they go to ask the man which way they should take to continue looking for the donkeys. As the servant had a shekel to give the man, the seer, they started off.
The day before, Samuel, who was thought to be a seer, had heard from the Lord, "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Appoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people for their cry has reached me."
When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, "This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people."
And Samuel heard the Lord, and invited Saul to eat with him, saying, "In the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. The donkeys have been found." And as he sent the servant home, he told Saul to stay for a message from God.
Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "The Lord has anointed you leader over his inheritance." And when Saul left Samuel, he knew God had changed his heart. And there were many ways God ministered to Saul to convince Saul he had been made king.
These days, one has to be born into kingship. And there are few kings. Leaders today have to receive a majority vote, usually. And not all the people are usually satisfied. But the people of Israel now had their king. But nothing is perfect. No, nothing.
Only with the Lord, and He can make all things perfect in time.
Jo INMN
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