The Anointing of King Saul

INTRO

In 1 Samuel 7, Samuel led Israel into a time of revival and turning back to the Lord. But in chapter 8, the people rejected God and asked Samuel to give them a king. Samuel warned the nation that they would not be happy with the rules and deeds that went along with having a king over them. Chapter 9 introduces the young man Saul, who stood a head taller than anyone else in Israel (v. 2). He was sent to find donkeys that wandered off, but returned home before his father could worry about him (v. 5). He was told to look for a man of God in the city who would tell him what to do (v. 6). God also told Samuel to look for Saul to anoint as king (vv. 15–16). When Saul was told what would happen, he pointed out that he was from the smallest tribe but for Samuel this was confirmation because Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin (vv. 19–21). In the process of obeying his father by finding the donkeys, Saul found his calling as king (vv. 22–27). As Saul walked out his calling, so did Samuel. That’s the backdrop of 1 Samuel 10 and the anointing of Israel’s first king.

TEACHING

Throughout chapter 10, we’re going to see six key points.

First, a private call was given (v. 1). This wasn’t in front of Israel or any of the tribes. The anointing was a symbol of God’s presence in Saul’s life, of God’s calling on his life, and the Holy Spirit beginning to move in his life (Exodus 29:7; 40:14–15). In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit did not dwell within, but would come upon people. The anointing for us never leaves (1 John 2:20, 27).

Second, expect confirmation (vv. 2–8). Saul would hear confirmation from two men at Rachel’s grave at Zelzah (v. 2), from three men at Bethel (v. 3), and a group of prophets with music at the Hill of God (v. 5). The men in Bethel would have bread with them that was intended as an offering to be eaten by priests (Numbers 18:8). The group of prophets would be prophesying, possibly of future events. Saul would prophesy as well and be changed into a different person when the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. In 1 Samuel 16:13–14, the Holy Spirit came upon David when he was anointed. Saul was told he would prophesy. First Corinthians 14:1 says, “Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy.” Prophesy can radically change lives today. Saul was told no matter what happened, he should do whatever was required because God was with him (v. 7). He then went ahead to Gilgal and waited for Samuel there (v. 8). Isn’t it interesting that after Saul was told to walk out this confirmation, he was told to wait? If we’re not careful in the church today, we’ll get ahead of the Holy Spirit when He’s telling us to wait. A. W. Tozer said, “If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference.” You should notice if the church is completely dead if the Holy Spirit is not there!

Third, expect empowerment (vv. 9–16). After every sign happened that day, the Spirit of the Lord took control of Saul and he prophesied. The people who knew him wondered what had happened and why he was among the prophets (vv. 9–12). Saul had been empowered. Empowerment is being given the power to walk out the calling. Saul’s uncle asked where he had gone (v. 14). Saul responded he went for the donkeys and then to see Samuel, but he did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said to him (vv.15–16).

Fourth, a public call was given (vv. 17–24). Samuel summoned the people to hear Saul’s calling and Saul let it happen because he was genuinely about the anointing (v. 17). Samuel delivered God’s words that He should be their King, but since they had rejected Him, a king would be selected (vv. 18–19). The tribes were called forward and the selection process began. Saul was selected king, but he was not present because he was hiding in the supplies (vv. 20–22).

Fifth, expect support (vv. 25–26). When you are called, you will get the support you need. Saul was given brave men whose hearts God had touched to go with him as support (v. 26).

Sixth, expect opposition (v. 27). Wicked men despised and opposed Saul, but Saul said nothing.

CLOSING

Saul was anointed, privately called, and received confirmation in the process. He was empowered to be Israel's first king. Saul was surrounded by brave men but opposed by wicked men. This sure sounds like the life of Christ who received the anointing in Isaiah 61 and Luke 4, and had support, but encountered extreme opposition.